The
Good Life Inspiration through fermentation
Byron Shire Council’s Agricultural Extension Off icer, Andrew Cameron, connecting with chickens and farmers.
Free consults for farming and agricultural landholders
I
n a bid to revitalise and support the primary production sector in Byron Shire, Byron Shire Council’s Agricultural Extension Officer, Andrew Cameron, is looking to connect with farmers and landholders. Council’s latest economic data has shown a decline in primary industry output in the Shire. ‘We are seeing more and more people selling up in the city, and moving to places like Byron Shire to live on the land on large “lifestyle lots”,’ said Mr Cameron. ‘Our larger lots are beautiful places to live, but they are also prime land for farming and food production. It can be an overwhelming task to take on land for the first time, and we are now offering a support service to help
people overcome some of those challenges.’ Mr Cameron said part of his role is to help new landowners with ideas on how to manage the land productively and sustainably. A former ‘tree changer’ himself, with more than eight years experience farming and running a small agricultural business locally, Andrew is committed to nurturing the local agricultural sector to become more sustainable and to embrace more regenerative practices. ‘I am offering free one-on-one consultations, with local farmers and landowners, to offer a range of support services, solutions, networking and funding opportunities,’ he said. ‘Council is committed to ensuring Byron Shire land is used in a productive, sustainable way. We want to ensure local farmers are able to work in a way that With a story starting in a working avocado farm is profitable while achievoverlooking Mt. Warning, discover a community ing positive environmental with a shared love of quality beer, in the land we outcomes,’ he said. are lucky enough to brew it on. For enquiries, or to book a free on-farm consultation, please contact Andrew on 02 6626 7223 or email ancameron@byron. nsw.gov.au. To sign up to the Byron Shire Farming Network newsletter visit www. byron.nsw.gov.au/byronshirefarmingnetwork. earthbeercompany.com.au
Katerina loves organic fermented produce and pickles! Story & photo Melissa Butters
K
aterina Lazareva is the vibrant, sunny face of Suria Foods. Every week she brings her organic fermented produce and tonics to the markets. Her aim is to heal the body by improving gut health, and to heal the planet by promoting fermentation as a means of achieving zero food waste. Russian-born, Katerina’s grandparents were exiled to a labour camp during the Stalin regime in the 1950s. Forced to adapt to a different climate and harsh conditions, they began to farm and preserve food, surviving on whatever the earth provided. Suria Foods has also followed a path of relocation, adaptation and change. Katerina moved to Australia over 10 years ago and trained as a chef. Seeking a change of pace from busy kitchens, she ended up in the Himalayas at a remote mountain temple. She returned to Australia keen to reconnect to her roots and embrace ancestral practices. ‘I no longer wanted to be a part of the system, work for corporations without a sustainable purpose, or eat chemically treated food that causes all our modern
generational health issues and damages our environment.’ Katerina has set up a market scale garden at The Farm in Byron Bay, using regenerative and eco-friendly methods. She also holds fermentation classes. Every single part of the vegetable is turned into a healing product. ‘I want to contribute to soil regeneration so our future generations have a better and healthier planet to live in.’ Down at her market stall, the menu changes each week depending on what’s in season – you won’t just find cabbage! You might find oyster mushrooms, nuts, herbs, cherry tomatoes and garden herbs, miso or seaweed kimchi. She also offers a range of probiotic drinks and prebiotic broths. When Katerina has a moment of spare time she spends it with her best mate – her dog, named Pickles, of course! The New Brighton Farmers Market is on every Tuesday, from 8am to 11am, and the Mullumbimby Farmers Market is on every Friday 7am to 11am.
Enjoy those longer days & warm nights perched above town at Loft. Relax on the Terrace sipping cocktails, sharing a deli board and oysters. Settle in, graze through the night with an incredible menu by Head Chef Craig Mcfarland. Loft signatures include the Local Sirloin, Snapper and the Loft Cheeseburger. Open every day from 4pm - Late
Happy Hour $6
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