Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Jessica and Luke Volker, Lower Don Organics, Bowen have trialled different vegetable crops in their two shade houses funded by a QRIDA First Start Loan
Bowen growers Luke and Jessica Volker are taking Lower Don Organics to the next level after purchasing a larger property and moving into full-time horticulture production.
The couple bought the property in early 2025 with support from a Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority First Start Loan.
“We used the First Start Loan to buy a second, larger property that we could grow more produce on and hopefully make our business viable,” Jessica said.
The move has given them more farming land, a larger packing shed and room to grow watermelons, cherry tomatoes, eggplants, beans, capsicums and cucumbers.
“We knew that if we wanted to continue farming and make it a viable business, we needed more land,” Jessica said.
They have also added two shade houses, protecting their produce from Bowen’s summer heat while extending their growing season and helping them use water and fertiliser more efficiently.
Putting together the loan application encouraged Luke and Jessica to take a closer look at their day-to-day costs and build a stronger understanding of their business.
QRIDA Regional Area Manager Tegan McBride began working with the couple early in the process, helping them examine their production schedules, costs and plans for growth.
“Looking at the economies of scale on five acres, they were certain that the next step was a little bit bigger for them, trying to maximise their growing space and potential sales into bigger markets,” Tegan said.
Tegan said understanding the numbers helped the couple see how their plans could be scaled across a larger property.
For information about QRIDA First Start Loans, visit QRIDA’s website or call 1800 623 946.
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