Chasney Estate, a small boutique 14-acre Olive Grove and Lavender Farm in Tresco Victoria (near Swan Hill) is the result of a serendipitous journey taken by Isabel and Gary Chasney. They both worked in podiatry and so their transition into the world of olive and lavender farming was an unexpected twist of fate. But, five years on they’re still loving the ride and wouldn’t trade it for the world.
No prior experience
Before the move to Tresco, Isabel, a podiatrist, and Gary, the podiatry practice’s manager, ran a successful clinic in Tasmania. They were still very much tied up with the podiatry business when they visited friends in Victoria and stumbled on some land for sale nearby. Captivated by the land and its adjacent olive grove they made enquiries only to discover the olive grove wasn’t part of the allotment. Never mind, they bought it anyway with no idea what the future held.
Meanwhile, back in Tasmania, an offer came through from a larger organisation wishing to buy the podiatry clinic and though they sold, both continued to practise under the new ownership. Isabel says that it was about one year after buying the land that they got a call from a real estate agent saying the adjacent olive grove was now also for sale and were they interested? They took the risk and started the transition to becoming farmers in a whole new state, within a new community, and with no prior farming experience. Their land had no infrastructure, no house, so they bought two caravans to live in while they figured it all out.
Starting small
Asking Isabel about the advice she’d give to others with the same sort of aspirations, she says, “Don’t expect it to happen overnight, and think about it in terms of baby steps”. For Isabel and Gary that meant starting up a new podiatry clinic in Swan Hill while they built a 100 percent off-grid sustainable house to live in and got their heads around the ins and outs of olive farming. As the farm started to take shape alongside the podiatry business it became clear they couldn’t manage both. It was time to fully embrace the farming life.
Facing challenges
Then, almost as if on cue… COVID – and, simultaneously, the loss of almost their whole olive harvest due to bad weather. Isabel says they were lucky because the sale of the second clinic kept them afloat – they took it as a forced break that they really needed by that stage. But, Isabel is also adept at finding the deeper meaning or seeing the bright side. She says it also taught them a valuable lesson in diversification. “We made the decision to go completely spray free albeit knowing we would have a long battle with weeds”. The results are now showing in the grove with the spread of the African daisies.
Diversification and growth
Over the past few years the couple has been slowly adding new products to their business: they started farming lavender (for culinary use and essential oil), and have added two tiny houses to the property as accommodation offerings. They also received a Tourism Grant from the Victorian Government to build a barn on the property, which is now where they run soap-making courses and lavender distilling for visitors, while also selling their own products and serving coffee and snacks.
Settling in
Isabel says they have no regrets. “It’s hard work but as long as you’re prepared to do it, the outcomes are worth it. There is so much local support. Everyone’s enthusiastic and helpful.” She says other olive growers were keen to offer advice and support; even the use of their own pressing machinery to help get Chasney Estate off the ground.
To pay it forward, Isabel says that they would put their hands up to offer the same sort of mentoring to anyone else looking to do something similar. She also believes – and has shown – that it isn’t so hard these days to change careers; that aside from incredible community support within the region, there’s so much information out there for learning how to do things yourself.
Chasney Estate represents an inspiring example for anyone considering a similar leap of faith into the world of farming and entrepreneurship. Isabel says: “I wouldn’t go back and live in the city now. The traffic. All the time spent commuting, and you don’t get that community spirit. You really can’t beat it.”
To learn more about Chasney farms and thier amazing produce, visit them here.
Or, learn more about Agriculture in the Loddon Mallee; or the Swan Hill Rural City. If you have questions about starting-up or moving a business to the Loddon Mallee region, visit our Contact page to connect with expert local support.
