Enhancing Tech Skills at Hawkesbury's Greentree Farm
Greentree Farm is an Australian-owned, fifth generation family business near Windsor in the Hawkesbury area which grows pickling cauliflowers, cucumbers, and onions for iconic Australian condiment brand Three Threes, and potatoes for both The Natural Chip Co and Kettle Chips
The Greentree family have farmed in the area for more than a century, but never previously suffered the back-to-back floods and losses like they did in 2020-2022.
Five flood events in two years significantly impacted the business and property with the farm itself under 3-4 metres of water several times during flood peaks.
Existing contracts were renegotiated or reduced, orders cancelled, and flooding events ruined replanting efforts repeatedly.
Sue Langham estimates it will take five years of flood-free weather to totally recover from the losses.
In February 2023 DPI’s Rural Recovery Support Service (RRSS) Recovery Officer, Lisa, had been focusing on the three main impacted areas around the Hawkesbury when she drove past Greentree Farm and then got in touch with the family – siblings – Trent and Ryan Greentree and Sue Langham.
She assisted them in successfully applying for the June and October Special Disaster Grant.
Sue Langham also attended three of four computer skills capability workshops held between June and September 2023.
This pilot project was co-ordinated by Lisa and developed in partnership with Digital Literacy Foundation with the aim of supporting primary producers to develop fundamental tech skills to grow their digital confidence and business management practices.
In addition to grants application assistance, the Greentrees were linked with several services and programs as well as other affected growers in the area.
They were also linked to another DPI program, the Young Farmer Business Program, an initiative to help primary producers gain the skills needed for the office – rather than the paddock or boat.
Support provided by the RRSS has enabled The Greentrees to access financial assistance and practical advice from both government and non-government organisations, alike.
Feedback from Sue Langham on the role Recovery Officer Lisa played in their recovery journey says it best:
“You were a ray of sunshine, your kind and compassionate nature was a blessing, and will forever be appreciated! I am so grateful your team was finally put together, to get help for those that needed it.”
The Greentrees are good examples of a successful, ongoing journey of RRSS’ clients, as they move from devastating flood impacts to recovery, to now building future resilience.
