Bruce and Susan Johnstone

Farmer rating (pending assessment by the PFA): AA
Supplying Food Connect since: 2004
Farm visited by Food Connect: Yes

Bruce and Susan Johnstone live 30km east of Stanthorpe near the small town of Liston and have been farming one hectare of land there since 2004. Bruce’s parents were cattle graziers and they in turn came from dairy and beef cattle farming families. Bruce is the first in the family to venture into vegetable farming. Susan told us, “Bruce’s parents have a cattle property between Stanthorpe and Tenterfield, but like most farmers these days, they can only support themselves on their farm. Parents are no longer able to hand down the farm management to younger generations as there is not enough income to support two families. So even though Bruce’s parents have lots of land, it can’t be used for Bruce’s purposes. It is also fairly far from town and is not the ideal location even if we had the opportunity to use some of their land.”

When Bruce and Susan were looking for a site for their own farm, they looked at leasing land from neighbours and chose a site that was accessible and had reasonable soil with a large dam. The land had previously been used as a pasture for cattle so it was fairly ‘untouched’ by synthetic fertilisers, which was an important consideration for the Johnstones. Bruce has a diploma in horticulture and has read books such as The Albrecht Papers by Dr. William A. Albrecht, The Non-Toxic Farming Handbook by Phillip Wheeler and Ronald Ward and Hands-on Agronomy by Neal Kinsey and Charles Walters. Bruce uses these principles to improve soil fertility and create a healthy ecosystem for the plants to thrive in.

The Johnstones are certified organic farmers under the Australian Certified Organic system. For them, certification is not a way to get extra money, but it is an additional system that they must endure in order to have a access to their main customer, United Organics Wholesalers, who require certification. Organic certification requires much additional paperwork, such as reports on when the soil is cultivated, when fertiliser is applied, how they deal with weeds, pests, etc. It is a comprehensive system but it is expensive for small growers. The Johnstones have fully embraced sustainable farming, using minimal till techniques to keep the soil structure intact, and encouraging a thriving ecosystem, which is home to many froglets, lady beetles, insects, birds and snakes. These ‘helpers’ assist with insect and rodent control on the farm.

They grow many varieties of vegetables, including daikons, radish (French breakfast and Sparkler varieties), zucchini (Fordhook and Black), cabbages (Savoy drumhead) and cauliflowers (Adventure) to name a few. Those who visit the Northey Street City Farm might know them as ‘the farmers from Stanthorpe’ or the Granite Belt Organic Growers. Bruce and Susan take turns with other Food Connect farmers from Stanthorpe (Ray and Sam Palmer, and David and Suveda Hardwick) to travel to the markets in Brisbane every Sunday. If you see them, say G’ day to them and let them know how much you enjoy their produce (it will make their day!).

The thing they like best about Food Connect is that they can pass on information to Wade about their growing conditions and that any ups and downs are understood and are taken into consideration. On the subject of farming, Susan tells us, “Farming is not an occupation, but more a way of life and often it is the only choice for people living in rural areas. If selling prices are low while costs rise and it becomes unviable to grow veggies, we don’t have many alternatives for working away from home.” Food Connect is proud to be able to support the Johnstones and to help them to continue to grow their delicious produce for our subscribers.

June 2010 – Congratulations to Bruce and Susan on the birth of their baby boy Kai – what a cutie!

Baby Kai