By Luke Voogt
Brothers Aaron and Damien Curtis have some berry special helpers when they’re out tending almost 40 hectares of strawberry fields!
The eight Curtis kids – four to each dad – love tagging along and helping out, according to Aaron’s wife Rowena.
“I thought our kids might get sick of strawberries but they haven’t yet,” she said.
‘They’re always asking, ‘can we help you with that dad? Aw, can’t we pick strawberries today?’”
The brothers opened Surf Coast Strawberry Fields last October to teach children about growing things, Rowena explained.
“My husband is really passionate about kids knowing where their food comes from and seeing things grow,” she said.
“He enjoys doing that with the kids but also giving other parents that opportunity.
“He and Damien always wanted to have some sort of ‘pick your own’ farm where you could take your family and get your produce.”
Nestled on 36 hectares backing onto Thompson Creek, the farm is a “labour of love” for Aaron and Rowena, along with Damien and his wife Rhiannon.
“It’s the perfect location to stop by, on the doorstep of Geelong, Torquay and the Great Ocean Road,” Rowena says.
The farm has wide open spaces where kids can see tractors, discover farm life and understand where their food comes from.
“The farm’s got a rolling hill, so it’s quite picturesque,” Rowena said.
“Kids walk through the gate and get this sense of freedom – they can see strawberries as far as the eye can see.”
Many children who visit the farm have never seen strawberries or any fruit growing, Rowena said.
“When they see all the strawberries on the plant, you can see it blow their little minds. It’s quite cute.”
Many parents who visit are happy to get their kids outside and away from screens, she added.
“Escape the city and come enjoy our happy place!”
The farm has hives for honey-producing bees that help pollenate the strawberries, while ladybirds keep pests away naturally.
The brothers’ love of farming grew from watching their dad work in his market garden, Rowena explained.
“My husband’s always had an interest in growing things and having a farm.
“He used to want to grow things and sell them as kid, his mum tells me.”
Now Aaron’s passing that passion onto Amelia, 11, Oliver, 9, Joseph, 5 and Hannah, 3, while Damien’s kids Abbie, 8, Sophie, 6, Xavier, 4 and Aria, 2 are also mini green thumbs.
After multiple requests from kindergartens and schools the family have also opened the farm to larger groups of youngsters to enjoy picking strawberries.
Strawberry season is well underway and the family aims to open the farm seven days a week, 9.30am to 5pm.
“We could close earlier than 5pm if we are picked out early for the day,” Rowena says.
But weather can affect the opening days, so it’s best to check on Surf Coast Strawberry Field’s website or Facebook page before visiting.
The farm, on Surf Coast Hwy at Mount Duneed, has ample parking, amenities onsite and an ice cream bar featuring, of course, locally-made strawberry flavour.
For prices and more details visit the website.
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