There’s something about farm life that gets into your bones. The fresh air, the endless sky, the feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s not always easy – some days are long, and the work is tough – but at the end of the day, it’s a life I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Six years ago, we took on the challenge of restoring a neglected finger lime farm in the Northern Rivers hinterland. We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we also knew it would be meaningful. Over time, the farm has shaped us just as much as we’ve shaped it. Every day brings a new challenge, but also a reminder of why we chose this life.
Here are my five favourite things about living on a farm.
The Connection with Nature
One of the greatest gifts of farm life is how closely we live with Nature. I don’t have to drive to a national park or schedule a weekend away to be surrounded by beauty – it’s right here, outside my door, every single day.
The way the light softens in the late afternoon, the petrichor after rain, the rumble of storms rolling across the hills, the orange hue of Blue Knob mountain at sunset – it’s all part of daily life. It’s easy to take it for granted, especially when I’m busy with work, but every now and then, I remind myself to pause. To watch the sun dip behind the mountains. To listen to the wind in the trees and the kookaburras laughing. To breathe in the fresh, clean air.
Nature isn’t just something we observe – it’s something we’re a part of. We see the seasons shift not just in the trees but in the soil, our finger lime trees, and even the way the animals behave. It still makes me squeal in delight to see an echidna on a scent trail or a joey poking its head out of a wallaby’s pouch. One year we saw not one, but two (!) bandy bandy snakes (have a Google if you haven’t heard of them before)!
The farm is its own living, breathing ecosystem and we’re so lucky to be caretakers of this little slice of paradise.
A Slow, More Intentional Rhythm
Farm life isn’t exactly slow in the way that people might imagine. There are early mornings, long days, and to-do lists that never seem to end. Running a farm while also growing a business and working full-time
means that things can get chaotic. But even in the busiest moments there’s a different rhythm here – a kind of intentional slowness that city life rarely allows.
It's in the way that we move with the seasons rather than against them. The way the natural world sets the pace, rather than emails and deadlines. There’s no background hum of traffic, no constant rush from one thing to the next. Instead, the soundtrack of our days is birdsong, wind through the trees and the distant lowing of cattle from a neighbouring paddock.
The work is never done, but that’s part of the beauty of it. The land teaches patience. Some things can’t be rushed – plants will grow in their own time, the weather will do what it wants, and not everything is within our control. It’s a humbling reminder that not everything in life should be forced.
The Luxury of Space
No matter how long I live here, I don’t think I’ll ever stop appreciating the sheer space we have around us.
Space to breathe.
Space to think.
Space to let ideas take root and grow.
When we first moved here, I remember stepping outside in the early mornings and feeling the quiet stretch around me like a deep breath. There are no cramped city streets, no towering apartment blocks – just rolling green hills, open paddocks and the ever-changing sky above.
There’s something freeing about it, both physically and mentally. Creativity flows more easily here. There’s room to experiment, to fail, and to try again. Even on the busiest days, when every hour is accounted for, just looking out over the land is enough to reset my mind.
Of course, with space comes responsibility. Every inch of land requires care – whether it’s managing paddocks, looking after soil, or keeping invasive species in check. But the responsibility feels like an honour rather than a burden.
A Deep Sense of Purpose
One of the most fulfilling things about farm life is knowing that everything we do has a direct impact. We’re not just working a job – we’re growing something real.
When we harvest finger limes for our skincare products, we’re not just picking fruit; we’re bringing to life years of hard work. The journey from seed to bottle is something we’re part of every step of the way. It’s not an abstract supply chain – it’s our own hands planting, pruning, harvesting, and carefully crafting something that will end up in someone’s bathroom, nourishing their skin.
There’s a satisfaction in that kind of work that’s hard to describe. Even on the hardest days, when the rain won’t stop and we’re getting bogged in the tractor, knowing that our work means something makes it worth it.
We’re not just maintaining land – we’re restoring it. When we first took over the farm, it was struggling. Years of neglect had taken their toll. But over time, through careful management, we’ve seen it come back to life. Trees that once struggled now thrive. The soil is healthier. The farm is growing. And so are we.
Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency
Living on this land has changed the way I think about sustainability.
When you watch your own soil dry out during a drought, sustainability isn’t just a concept – it’s personal. When you see how different farming practicing impact your orchards, you start paying attention to every choice you make.
Farm life makes you hyperaware of your footprint in a way that city living never did for me. It’s in the small things – the way we minimise waste, the way we reuse and repurpose, the way we think about the resources we consume. Every choice feels like it carries more weight here, and that awareness has the shaped the way we run Bush Harvest Co.
We’re not perfect. No one is. But we’re always learning, always looking for ways to do better. Whether it’s finding sustainable packaging for our products, choosing regenerative farming practices, or simply being more mindful about the resources we use, every little choice feels like a step towards protecting the land we love.
The Reality of Farm Life (It’s Not Always Romantic)
I won’t pretend that farm life is all sunsets and skipping through the paddocks.
There are long days and early mornings. There are times when the weather doesn’t cooperate, when trees die, when things break and need fixing now. There’s mud. There are weeds (so many weeds!). There are challenges that test your patience and resilience in ways you never expected.
But despite all of that, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.
There’s something grounding about farm life. It teaches you patience, resilience, and a deep respect for the natural world. It reminds you of what really matter – not the hustle, not the noise, but the simple, steady working of growing something real.
So, for anyone dreaming of farm life, know this: it’s not easy, but it’s worth it!
And for those of you who support what we do – whether by using our skincare, sharing our story, or just following along – you’re a part of this too. Your support makes this work possible, and we’re so grateful to have you on this journey with us.
xx Nat
