The Northern Star
It’s 7am and Johnson ‘Johno’ Hunter, on his first round of the day, walks across the dewy grass to check the cattle enclosure at The Farm. Satisfied with the condition of the herd which comprises a mix of Scottish highlanders, Murray greys, black angus and herefords, he gives rescue-calf Braveheart a good scratch behind the ears. Then, bending down to take a photo which he’ll add to The Farm’s popular Instagram site, he waves a hand as though to embrace the surrounding paddocks. “Where else would you rather be?,” he said with a grin. Where else indeed.
As the general manager of The Farm, Mr Hunter oversees an inspiring 32.3Ha agricultural operation at Ewingsdale. His hands-on role involves visiting all the areas inside and out and speaking to the key players involved in the business which has become a tour-de-force in the region.
Familiar to anyone who has driven past their lush paddocks on their way to or from Byron Bay, this go-to venue for great food, meals, flowers and produce, is principally a working farm which employs up to 120 people at peak times. “Our motto is grow, feed and educate,” he said.