Mini farm to close - and reopen

Published 6:00am 1 October 2024

Words by Nick Crockford

Pictured: Nick Steiner, founder and CEO of The Mini Farm Project at its Samford site.

The Mini Farm Project will close its half-acre Samford site at the end of next month - and take up an “incredible opportunity”.

The charity, which grows and donates food to groups and people in need in Moreton Bay and beyond, will also shut its farm at Loganlea.

Work will focus on developing a youth training farm on six acres at the Youth Enterprise Trust’s (YET) Woodstock farm at Tamborine on the Gold Coast.

It will have charity and commercial crops, as well as education programs for students and disengaged young people.

“This initiative will help us train the next generation of farmers while continuing to provide free meals to vulnerable communities,” it says on the Mini Farm’s Facebook page.

“As with many charities across Australia, this year has been challenging.

“The rising cost of living has led to a significant decline in donations and despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure the bridge funding needed to sustain our current farms at Samford and Loganlea.

“As a result, after much consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to close both sites at the end of October.”

However, the statement added: “While it’s never easy to say goodbye to these farms, this is not the end for us.

“We’re embracing this moment as a chance to refocus our energy on creating sustainable, self-funding projects and expanding our impact through new farm sites.

“Our vision remains clear: to Feed Aussies in Need and to build a network of charity farms across Australia.

“With the Woodstock Youth Training Farm, we are excited to push forward with a model that not only feeds communities but also educates and empowers young people.”

The Mini Farm Project was started in 2014 by Nick Steiner, a Moreton Bay Region resident, in his back yard providing free produce to Caboolture Community Action.

Mini Farm thanked its farmers at Samford and Loganlea, “countless volunteers”, sponsors and donors for their support.