Laurissa Smith

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Laurissa Smith |Meg Powell

Flower Industry Australia claims imported blooms now make up about half of Australia's flower market, and nearly all of its supermarket offerings. Many of these cheaper blooms are from countries with patchy human rights records and are treated with toxic chemicals for biosecurity reasons, but neither of these things are mandatory to declare to the customer. Local growers, who are struggling to compete with the flood of overseas flowers, are continuing their decades-long push for clear labelling.

Jan 21, 2025 | abc.net.au | Laurissa Smith |Tony Briscoe

The latest blueberry harvest is underway on farms across Tasmania and two berry patches are opening up their farms for pick your own berries. What do you generally do with the end of a paddock, with poor drainage ? Rather than avoid it the owners of a Hagley farm turned it into an opportunity, planting a blueberry orchard, and converting a grain silo into a farm shop. It's open to the public to pick fruit, and more plants are going in to cater for the growing demand.

Jan 20, 2025 | abc.net.au | Laurissa Smith |Tony Briscoe

Starting a small-scale farm from scratch, with no experience in agriculture, can have its challengesBut with the help of neighbours and mentors, IT specialist Vanessa Hall is forging ahead, raising beef and sheep using regenerative techniquesLaurissa Smith call in to her property at Weegena near Deloraine to find out more.

Jan 8, 2025 | abc.net.au | Fiona Breen |Laurissa Smith

Some of Tasmania's 90 whisky distillers are going to great lengths to give their drops a distinct style. One producer sends his barrels on an abalone boat, another smokes the grain with sheep poo. Another 10 distilleries are under development in Tasmania, but the industry says there is more than enough room due to the state's reputation for high quality whisky. Some say whisky is influenced by the terroir of the barley or the peat used to enhance its flavour.

Dec 8, 2024 | abc.net.au | Laurissa Smith |Tony Briscoe

Pick your own, it's a popular activity to do over summer especially with fruitBut what about picking your own bucket of flowers ? It's becoming more popular for small scale flower growers as they diversify income streams, beyond supplying floristsBridgenorth grower Catherine Mackrell has just opened her property up to the public this season.