Hello, Homegrown Organics friend!
As I write these lines, the chime of bell miners and the rustling breeze whizzing through the gum trees create the perfect setting for a delightful moment of reflection. A laughing kookaburra amuses me from time to time, and I might even spot a sprightly wallaby hopping along, right outside my window! It’s so great to be in the land down under.
A few months ago, I traveled all the way from my homeland in Eastern Europe to this beautiful country for a friend’s special day. During that short trip, I met the Bailey family and their market garden for the first time. I liked them so much that I decided I had to come again for a longer stay! And so here I am, very privileged to spend my holidays in this charming corner of the world called Rollands Plains.
Volunteering at the Homegrown Organics market garden has been an enriching experience. The day usually starts very early in the morning, and you wouldn’t believe how much is achieved before breakfast! By early afternoon, everyone is ready to sit in the shade and enjoy an icy pole break while Simba tries to persuade each one to play ball with him. The frolics and friendly flies in the garden make for a collection of memories I will always cherish. My favorite moment of the day is when the evening sun bathes the rolling plains in golden hues, inviting people and plants alike to pause and rest in preparation for a new day.
Amid laughter and jokes, stories and sweat, I’m growing every day alongside the plants and the people around me. Their dedication and hard work are inspiring. Wendy is the best mother the baby seedlings could ask for. Rod, Scott, and Hannah faithfully turn the sprinklers on when the sun is too hot on the little transplants. Each crop is carefully tended, and the veggies and products are lovingly packed for orders and market. Care for the customer’s well-being is the heartbeat of the place. I’m certain you’ve already felt that pulse every Tuesday as you are greeted by Desley’s broad smile at the market.
One lesson I will take home from this place is that hopes never dies, and that challenges are only a stepping stone to greater experience. Sometimes a crop will be lost to weeds, pests, or disease. But failure is not the end; it simply makes room for a new bed, a new planting—a brand-new beginning of this wonderful gift called life.
I wish you all the best on your journey. And don’t forget—happiness is homegrown and homemade with Masters of Fresh!
Raquel