CARLIE Barry has long been on the lookout for sustainable opportunities in agriculture. Carlie and husband Owen have been dairy farming in their own right for over 10 years; first as share farmers, then as farm owners, and finally as lessees. Currently they lease an organic farm near Camperdown, where they milk their jersey.

In conjunction with this, Carlie also rears a small herd of beef cross cattle, which once grown and locally processed she sells by the kilogram to those looking for a more ethical alternative for beef. Her clients can buy their beef for a reasonable price per kg, knowing the animals have been well cared for by the small paddock-to-plate business.
In May 2021, Carlie was fortunate to obtain part funding from the DemoDairy Foundation to attend the Farm2Plate exchange at Scenic Rim in Queensland. This is her recount of the experience.