Interview * Jo Hortin * Angel Organics

The day I arrived at Angel Organics in Welshman’s Reef (just off the Newstead-Maldon Road), big, white, billowy clouds ballooned in bright blue skies and verdant grass swayed in the breeze. As I entered through the old garden gate I was greeted with the thick, deliciously heady perfume of an enormous & fruit-laden orange tree in full blossom. The ancient tree threw dappled sunlight across many other fragrant herbs & cheery bulbs. Through a gap in the historic corrugated iron sheds I could see the Cairn Curran Reservoir – full enough to lap at the bank’s edges. A young, chocolate Kelpie barked to herald my arrival while across the way, a horse, a bull, a herd of cattle with calves at foot, a mob of sheep with frolicking lambs and foraging pigs all roamed freely in lush pastures. Angel Organics indeed!

Jo Hortin, the passionate & hard-working woman behind Angel Organics, can barely remember such a great season – a welcome sight to sore eyes! Jo is a strong advocate & practitioner of certified organic farming – she treats everything from the soil up with certified organic, chemical-free care & practices conscientious animal husbandry to contribute lamb, pork & beef to the local food bowl. Jo has made it easy to order her products via an online order system on her website.

A love of country life and the desire to own a farm have long coursed through Jo’s veins & despite having to put herself into debt with three children to support (following the death of her husband), Jo bought a farm during the drought and hasn’t looked back since!

As we drove around the paddocks in Jo’s ute, the cattle and sheep made a beeline to the driver’s side window for a pat & a familiar sniff. Jo’s story is the inspiring tale of hard work and passion & a truly devoted country spirit. Enjoy! x

Tell us a little bit about your background – what path led you to where you are now?

I was born in England and came here when I was 5 months old with my family, I was brought up on a farm at Toolern Vale. I have never been interested in living in town and always liked the idea of being able to have any animal that I wished. After the death of my first husband, I was left with 3 children (5, 7 & 9) years old to support and was lucky enough to do some work on a farm at Bolinda during which time I developed a love of Sheep and Wool so it was always a plan to eventually own my own farm. So, when an opportunity came to buy a farm I saw this farm here at Welshmans Reef and put my self into debt and bought it in February 2001. Buying a farm in the middle of a serious drought was definitely a big test!

You run a grass-fed pork, beef & lamb farm. How many acres do you have? What animals do you run?

I have around 320 acres and have Duroc Pigs , Murray Grey cattle , Suffolk sheep, Merino Sheep and Crossbred Ewes.

What prompted you to take up organic farming & sell your produce directly to clients?

I am very interested in living without harmful chemicals and it seems a natural progression to farm organically and have Organic Certification so people can have confidence in the integrity of the food they are eating. I like people to be able to see where their food comes from and I like the idea of children being able to grow up knowing how food is produced. It is great to see the joy children and their parents get from being able to visit a real farm and see and touch animals.

Tell us about your approach to farming? What makes you so passionate about organic farming?

My approach to farming is about building soil health, which in turn grows healthy pasture to feed healthy livestock, which is an ongoing work in progress. I am passionate about Organic farming as it is a harmless way of achieving a sustainable healthy lifestyle for my family and livestock.

What are the ups and downs & challenges you’ve experienced in selling your organic lamb & beef?

The biggest challenge is having regular sales, also reliable seasonal rain is necessary but not guaranteed.

What does a typical day in the life of the ‘Jo Hortin Organic Farmer’ look like; from when you wake to when you go to sleep?

I usually wake up fairly early and have a list of jobs that I need to do, compile meat orders for customers, deliver meat when necessary, check sheep, dogs , cattle, horses and other creatures here, but there really is no typical day as many plans just get instantly changed by a phone call alerting me to a more important job.

Do you consider yourself to be a ‘Countryphile’? Do you love country life? Why?

Is there any other sort of worthwhile life? We have open spaces, beautiful clear night skys, great fresh food straight from our own products, milk ,eggs, meat, fruit ,vegetables, some great down-to-earth unpretentious friends – so it is a good life!

What aspect of country life are you enjoying MOST at the moment?

Seeing long green grass waving in the wind, well-fed, contented livestock lazing around with calves and lambs playing in the paddocks.

What is the most CHALLENGING aspect of country life?

Not achieving as much in the day as I would like to and not being able control the weather! And, trying to restore and maintain a very special historically-significant farm house and buildings.

Do you prefer Coffee or Tea? Your favourite country café and why?

I don’t drink coffee so I have Dandelion latte instead and tea (organic of course!). Zen Eden when in Maldon, is my favourite café.

What and where was the last great meal you enjoyed/shared in the country?

Probably would have been at Public INN at Castlemaine with family for my birthday in May, they use my Beef and Lamb from Angel Organics and I just love the service, food and professional nature of the staff in there.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Usually at home on the farm and if there are no urgent happenings and pleasant weather I like to have breakfast outside.

Would you ENCOURAGE others to live a country life? Why/why not?

Absolutely, as long as they are prepared to integrate into the country and not expect the country to change for them.

What ADVICE would you give those dreaming of making a TREE CHANGE?

Understand why you live in the country and realise that it is a lifestyle not a corporate decision.

What can we expect NEXT from you/Angel Organics in the future?

Maybe a line of Pork from our pasture-fed pigs and hopefully to be able to have an outlet at the new Maldon monthly market as a way of getting the products more widely known.

What are you looking FORWARD to and why?

Getting the Angel Organics brand known to more people so more families can enjoy simply divine meat at an affordable price.

What would be your DREAM project?

I would like to research the possibility of being able to have our livestock processed on farm.

Can you list for us 5 specific things you turn to/do when you need of a ‘dose’ of city life?

I don’t have a desire for city life, but I would like to:
1. Go to the ballet
2. See live classical music
3. Go to the Melbourne Flower&Garden Show
4. Attend the Melbourne Royal Show
5. See musicians
Jo Hortin
Angel Organics
144 Trudgeons Road
Welshmans Reef
Victoria