Lumen Winter 2016 - Flipbook - Page 23
Ploughing the way
for young farmers
N
at Wiseman started his university
career studying nanoscience,
pursuing an interest in artificial
photosynthesis and the possibility of
designing solar panels that act like the
leaves of plants.
But towards the end of his Bachelor
of Science he realised that he was more
interested in social and environmental
issues rather than working in a laboratory –
so he started a degree in planning, focusing
on urban agriculture and land-use policy.
Reflecting on his time at the University of
Adelaide, Nat says it opened up a whole
world of ideas – through the people he met
to the wide range of resources in the library.
“This led to a real awakening for me and
ignited my passion in trying to address the
environmental and social issues I learned
about,” he says.
For the past five years Nat has worked
part-time in the Department of Geography,
Environment and Population with Dr
Douglas Bardsley, looking at the impacts
of climate change and adaption options
for Indigenous groups in the APY lands in
the far north-west corner of SA.
He has also developed his skills in farming
and urban agriculture by completing a
Permaculture Design Certificate at the Food
Forest in Gawler and being active in local
permaculture and sustainability groups.
“It has been very inspiring for me to
get more involved in permaculture at the
grassroots level, and has been a great
antidote to the ‘paralysis by analysis’ that
sometimes comes from too much reading
on environmental/social crises,” says Nat.
In 2012 Nat co-founded the semicommercial Wagtail Urban Farm with
friends on a 180-square metre block at
suburban Mitchell Park, producing a ute
load of vegetables each week and selling
them to markets and the local community.
“That experience convinced me that smallscale farming was possible and productive,
but I knew that I needed to scale up in order
to make a livelihood from it,” says Nat.
So, Nat and others launched a
crowdfunding campaign which raised
$17,000 to start Village Greens of Willunga
Creek at the Aldinga Arts Eco Village.
From a fledgling business in 2014, they
now grow a half-acre of mixed organic
vegetables, selling to the local community
as well as city customers and restaurants.
Nat and the farm team also formed
a loose collective of young market
gardeners on the Fleurieu Peninsula,
sharing tools, information and meeting
up for shared dinners. Collaboration, not
competition, is the aim.
Nat is passionate about the young
farmers’ movement but says they face
real challenges in Australia and all over
the world.
“There are less and less farmers to
learn the skills from. Urban development
pressures are increasing the price of
good farmland – and paving over it – and
the average age of Australian farmers is
approaching 60,” he says.
“I hope my work, as well as the work
of many other young farmers around the
country, can show that it is possible to
be a successful young farmer despite the
odds, and provide a model for others.”
Nat is keen to develop a young
farmer’s network and is also looking at
setting up a regional Fleurieu food hub
to source a whole range of fresh food
produce from farmers.
“We need production by the masses,
not mass production, if farming is going
to have a sustainable future.”
Right: Nat Wiseman
The University of Adelaide | Alumni Magazine 21
