Chris and Geena Pettigrove may have embraced new markets presented by the Internet, but now they plan to turn to that most traditional way of selling: via farm-gate.
The couple operate Eaglehawk Creek Farm Produce at Glengarry North, raising free range pork that is largely supplied to the people of Latrobe City. Their fresh cuts of pork and small goods, including bacon, cabana, ham, chorizo and kranskies, herald from Landrace and Large Whites pigs.
“Our motto is from our farm to your table, a true paddock to plate experience, where the customer has contact with the farmer and knows where their food is coming from,” Geena said.
Local customers place orders through the Eaglehawk Creek Farm Produce website and pick-up by appointment or at farmers’ markets. Many were loyal buyers at the Pettigroves’ stall at the Traralgon Farmers’ Market.
During the COVID pandemic, the couple has reached new customers in Melbourne and beyond by selling through the Victorian Country Farmers’ Market website.
“One of the biggest things we have done is increase our online presence and create new pathways of people being able to access the produce,” Geena said.
“We have seen a greater commitment from people to buying local and where possible, made, or in our case, raised in Australia.”
The next step in their business journey is the construction of a farm-gate shop on their property on Traralgon-Maffra Road. Being busier than the Melbourne road where they once lived, the farm-gate is sure to be popular.
“We believe we would be the first farm-gate in Latrobe City and would sell fresh fruit and vegetables that we grow on the farm, as well as pork, beef and honey, with the view of employing people to work in the shop, vegie garden and on the farm,” Geena said.
Furthering their ‘paddock to plate’ philosophy, the Pettigroves recently agreed to supply pork to the restaurant, Farmer’s Daughters, set to open in Melbourne’s CBD and serve Gippsland produce. That arrangement grew from connections the Pettigroves made with Latrobe City Council.
The couple’s fruitful partnership with Council began with Erin Moore from Council’s Business Development Team. She arranged an initial round-table meeting between the Pettigroves and Council officers to determine just what information they needed to include in the planning permit application for the farm-gate.
“Erin has been a wonderful asset in helping us navigate the different departments and been a great source of other resources that we might be able to access, such as local grants through the Latrobe Valley Authority, and the business newsletters we receive from Council,” Geena said.
Their journey from farmers to retailers was forced upon them. When the only live pig market in Melbourne closed, the couple was left with two choices: to wind up their operation or market their product themselves. They opted for the latter, with Chris delivering pigs to a dedicated pig abattoir at Orbost.
The Pettigroves first raised cattle after moving to Glengarry North from Melbourne eight years ago and expanded into pigs more recently.
Their children Matilda, 11, and William, 10, help on the farm, and Matilda is raising calves she bought from her own savings.
It’s a lifestyle they relish and for this farming family, there are many other benefits of being located in Latrobe City.
“The Glengarry community has been so good to us and the Latrobe Valley is generally amazing due to great rainfall and good country. We have had people tell us how happy they are to see what was an old dairy farm for many years have new life brought back into it.”
Eaglehawk Creek Farm Produce is located at 1115 Traralgon-Maffra Road,
Glengarry North.
Visit them by appointment or click and collect online: www.eaglehawkcreekfarm.com.au