T H E F A R M E R S
Farmer Travis
Travis grew up on a wheat and sheep farm in Northern WA, and then chose to pursue his passion for agriculture, graduating with a BSc in Agricultural Science at UWA.
Following this, he had a variety of jobs working in research and development within the sheep/wool industry, as well as working alongside his brother with their own lease blocks. This led him to an Agricultural advisory role opportunity in the Falkland Islands, which is where he and Zoë met.
Having spent 3 years working in research for a PhD which he chose not to pursue, Travis’ thirst for knowledge has been key to the growth of Allington Family Farm. Using his theoretical and practical skills, knowledge and expertise in agriculture provides us with the tools to ensure that we can constantly re-evaluate our practices and find ways to improve what we’re doing.
Travis is also really passionate about growing good food for people and believes that the traceability element of what we do here is vital, so that people know their farmer and know where their food comes from.
Farmer Zoë
Zoë grew up in the UK, with her father in the military, resulting in a very transient lifestyle as a child. She always wanted to teach, so following her passion for people and learning, she completed her teacher training in High School English Language and Literature and had her first years of teaching in Northern England, before moving to the Falkland Islands for a teaching opportunity there (which is where she met Travis).
Having not come from a farming background, moving to Australia and beginning to farm with Travis was a completely new experience for her, however through lots of questions, reading and getting stuck into all elements of farming, they now successfully farm hand in hand. However, Zoë believes that one of her biggest advantages is having not grown up in the farming world, which has allowed her to have a different perspective on their farming enterprise.
Whilst no two days are the same on the farm, as well as being involved in the practical side of the farm, Zoë is responsible for the social media, marketing and public relations aspect of the business. She is passionate about building relationships through growing food, using social media to educate and share some of the realities of farm life and working alongside the local community.
Together
During their time in the Falklands, it presented many opportunities for Zoë & Travis to work together and learn a different way of life; especially for Zoë as this was her first glimpse at farm life! However, in doing so, they realised their passion and love of working together, combining their strengths together, alongside a focus on education and community, which is how Allington Family Farm came to be.
Travis and Zoë now have two young children: Jonah, who is almost 12 and Oriana who is 7. Together, they live and farm in Tenterden, on Minang Country. Their home farm is surrounded by farmland and they live there with a menagerie of animals: two horses, cats, working dogs (kelpies and maremmas - and most recently an Anatolian shepherd), and of course the animals we care for!
They passionately believe that all animals should be treated with the greatest respect and their farming practices demonstrate this. After farming for several years, selling their lambs in the more traditional way - directly to market - they decided to do something different. They did not want to lose the amazing product that they had spent so much time and effort in producing, to an unknown destination and unknown people, so they began considering alternative ways to run their business. From this, the concept of selling ‘paddock to plate’, initially directly to top restaurants and to local customers was borne.
After a journey of selling only lamb, they have since ventured out and diversified into many other enterprises, all of which run alongside each other, with the belief that diversity is key. It allows less pressure on different seasons, it allows customers to be able to have more choice in the variety of produce that is stocked and in turn, the animals all work in a beautiful symbiotic relationship as we rotate the animals in their different paddocks. They now operate a very diverse operation, consisting of pasture raised eggs, pasture raised chicken (raised for meat), pastured Berkshire pork as well as grass fed and finished lamb and beef.
Allington Family Farm work closely alongside their butcher in Perth and have developed a great relationship with them, who cut up all of their beef, pork and lamb. The pasture raised chickens are delivered by us to a small family owned and operated abattoir in Wagin, where they are processed and cut up. All of the meat is now packaged in house, allowing for greater control over the quality and consistency of the produce and also reducing costs significantly.
Our produce is currently available to purchase through one of the farmers markets that we attend, through our mixed produce boxes which are advertised on our social media, and now via our online shop! Shop now for collection this weekend at your local farmers market!
The Allington Family: Jonah (11), Travis, Zoë & Oriana (7) in front of one of their purpose built chicken caravans