Tuckerberry Hill Farm to shift focus to events

TUCKERBERRY Hill Farm has closed for renovations, as the business prepares to enter a new era as an events venue.

Owner Christine Lean said initially there would not be a large amount of change at the property, as the site is prepared to host weddings, celebrations and other gatherings.

The farm will continue to offer the community the opportunity to pick their own strawberries and blueberries, with a small building with a new point of sale to be installed closer to the front gate to better separate the property’s two divisions.

While the café at the site will not reopen, Ms Lean has plans to offer berry pickers other opportunities to enjoy picnics and local produce on the property.

Berry picking at the renovated farm is expected to relaunch in November, alongside the start of the season, and the farm already has its first wedding scheduled for February.

As part of the transition, the weekend produce market – now named Bellarine Farmgate – which has been based out of Tuckerberry Hill Farm for more than 10 years, has permanently changed location.

Now housed at 218 Murradoc Road, Drysdale, it is hoped the move will ensure the long-term sustainability of the produce market and the role it plays in promoting, encouraging and supporting growers and producers on the Bellarine.

The market will maintain the same hours, running each Saturday between 9am and 3pm, and Sunday between 9am and 2pm.

Ms Lean encouraged local growers, producers and consumers interested in contributing to the produce market to attend Bellarine Farmgate’s next AGM, slated for October 6.

“We’re looking for people who are consumers, producers, growers who are very interested in small business supporting other local small business, and consumers who want to eat local,” she said.

“We want them to get involved because that’s what’s going to make it sustainable.

“We aim for chemical-free produce, local produce, and we’d love eventually to have every possible food group covered, although we know it’s very seasonal.”

With the recent loss of Drysdale Cheeses, Ms Lean said the produce market was particularly eager to connect with another cheesemaker.

“I’m very passionate about the Bellarine Peninsula being a really good place to live, but also with so many people coming to it, you need more people growing things,” Ms Lean said.

“[We] can’t stop where we are now, and in fact, the current producers won’t survive if we don’t, in fact, encourage more producers to get on board.”

For more information, follow the Bellarine Farmgate page on Facebook.