CELEBRATING SUCCESS: Borry and Gaye Gartrell celebrate him being recognised as the October farmer of the month for his achievements on their Borrodell property . 1004gartrell
ORANGE farmer Borry Gartrell has been recognised as the October farmer of the month.
It was Mr Gartrell’s impressive farming practices on his Borrodell property along with a great passion for life on the land that saw him win the award.
Borrodell is a 110 acre horticultural and vineyard enterprise that he runs with his wife Gaye.
It is a diversified farming business grows grapes for wine, apples for cider, cherries, heritage plums and a unique truffle.
Also on the property is luxury self contained accommodation alongside the highly acclaimed Sister’s Rock Restaurant.
“Everyone who visits the property now marvesl at the lush, green views over the fertile Towac Valley. But it wasn’t always like this,” Mr Gartrell said.
“We purchased the property in the 1960s in a state of disrepair. The once fertile basalt soils scarred with severe gully erosion caused from excessive clearing and over cultivation.”
Mr Gartrell immediately set about filling and stabilising the land with soil conservation earthworks.
Now the water on the property percolates into the well-vegetated slopes and through a reed bed wetland into Lake Canobolas.
With his land management practices Mr Gartrell firmly believes that conservation and production can coexist.
Sustainability and energy efficiency are also high on Mr Gartrell’s wish list.
To read about other examples of sustainable farming in the central west, or to find out how you can get involved visit www.cw.cma.nsw.gov.au.
