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 continuing with his own farming enterprise with his brother. 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 farming 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).
Moving to Australia and beginning to farm with Travis was a completely new experience for her, however through lots of questions, reading and gaining experience, they now successfully farm hand in hand. Not coming from an agricultural background allows Zoë 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 coming from a non-farming background. 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 10 and Oriana who is 5. Together, they live and farm in North Greenbushes, on Bibbulman Country. Their home farm is surrounded by incredible native bush and they live their with a menagerie of animals: two horses, cats, working dogs (kelpies and maremmas), and of course all of the livestock, inclduing a gorgeous family of Highland cows, whose main purpose is not for eating!
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 ‘traditional way’, directly to abattoirs, they decided to do something different. They decided they did not want to lose the product that they had spent so much time and effort in producing, to an unknown destination, so they began considering ways to do this. From this, the concept of selling ‘paddock to plate’, directly to top restaurants and to local customers was borne.
After a journey of selling only lamb, they have since ventured out into several different operations, 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. They now operate a very diverse operation, consisting of Berkshire pigs, pasture raised chicken (raised for meat) and pasture raised eggs, as well as grass fed lamb, where it all began.
Allington Family Farm work closely alongside their butcher, Buckinghams Family Butchers, in Bunbury and have developed a great relationship with them, who cut up all of their 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 soon via our online shop! Watch this space!
The Allington Family: Jonah (9), Travis, Zoë & Oriana (5) in front of one of their purpose built chicken caravans