Local Farmer Profile - Zoe Walsh from Market on Manse

Can you introduce yourself to our Santos Organics Community?

My name is Zoe Walsh and my small but productive acreage in Myocum is known as ‘Market on Manse.’ I moved to Myocum in mid 2022 determined to follow my dream to create ‘The Good Life’. Inspired by the 1975 sitcom of the same name, my intention was and still is, to grow my own food supply, use my own water, harvest solar power and essentially be as self-sufficient as possible. Early on, the plan was to grow micro herbs and edible flowers to sell at local organic markets, but an approach by local Permaculture guru Thomas Mack (in pic below), has seen Market on Manse surpass all my expectations. With only a quarter of an acre under planting our sun-drenched, well tended rich red soil has already born dozens of varieties of vegetables, herbs and fruits in just 18 months. The over abundance in year one (probably due to over planting and a great opening season!) led to the idea of needing an outlet to sell our produce. Although Market on Manse already has a thriving roadside stall on weekends, the idea of being an organically certified Santos Organics grower appealed for the longer term.

I really believe in growing and eating organic produce and have done so for the last 25 years. This project is an opportunity to share the delights and benefits of fresh, quality organically grown produce with the wider community.

What are you currently growing on your farm?

Spring Summer varieties – cucumber, lettuces, rocket, chilies, sweet peppers, celery, beetroot, sweet potato, leek, brown and red onions, spring onions. Loads of culinary and medicinal herbs; passionfruit; pepinos

Do you have a star crop?

Winter 2024 star crops were rainbow chard, kale, celery, potatoes.
Summer – Cucumber, chilies. And of course the very low maintenance pepinos.

Apart from being organic, what other alternative methods of farming do you use? ⁠

As a Grow the Growers recipient, the organic certification is a work in progress…but at Market on Manse we utilize regenerative farming methods that draw on Permaculture, Bio-Intensive and Biodynamic principles and techniques. We intersperse fruit trees among our vegetables as well as perennial herbs, medicinal and culinary. We began the plot with one till, and now only deep fork our raised beds. We produce compost according to Biodynamics and spray compost tea to support soil biology. We use companion planting for crop protection, plant crops close together to keep soil cool and weed free and fertilize with natural minerals, seaweed, fish emulsion. We keep soil covered with mulch, and rest beds with seasonal cover crops such as cowpea, clover and lucerne to bulk soil health.

What do you love about farming?

I enjoy all things outdoors as my professional life is indoors. I still marvel that a tiny seed or seedling can produce so much foliage, flowers and fruit when the conditions are right.

Growing is my creative outlet, my grounding, my meditation and spiritual connection with the earth. I love researching and learning by trial and error, how to grow particular things. It really is so very rewarding when you get it right!

I am grateful to be mentored and guided by a guru such as Thomas. Market on Manse would not be in existence without him!

Can you share one of your favourite ways to use something you grow for good health or healthy living?

I would like to think that everything I grow enhances my health and the health of the Myocum community in so many ways. The benefits of a plant based diet on gut health and the environment are indisputable. However, perhaps equally beneficial is the impact that digging in the soil and the aesthetic appeal of a garden has on mental / physical health and well-being.