2 Weeks in my Boots: Life at the Davis Farm

Where community grows naturally - even through floods, loss, and new beginnings

When I decided to document a typical fortnight at The Davis Farm, I had no idea it would capture such a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. From celebrating my 40th birthday to saying goodbye to our beloved Bella, from welcoming new baby rabbits to battling floodwaters - these two weeks have highlighted how different every single day is on the farm.

Week One: Loss, New Life, and Nature's Power

Last week, like so many in our area, we were smashed with an incredible amount of water that was dumped on us from the sky. Then Wauchope went under water. The flooding hit our community hard, and our farm became a muddy battlefield. Every step sinks into the saturated ground - we can't even mow because you literally disappear with each footstep! All our carefully tended seedlings drowned, months of work washed away in a matter of hours. But we were one of the lucky ones. So many in our community lost so much more and our hearts go out to everyone that was hit hard during the flood.

In the same week we lost our beloved Bella. At 12 years old, she was the oldest animal on our farm and had been with us since she was just 6 weeks old. Losing her felt like losing a family member - because that's exactly what she was. I still find myself walking out expecting to see her stalking around the farm like a giant polar bear. Bella witnessed our entire journey from bare land to thriving community space. She was there through the droughts, the fires, the COVID lockdowns, and watched hundreds of visitors find peace and connection here. she will be so missed.

But life continues, as it does on farms. While we were grieving Bella, new baby rabbits arrived - tiny, perfect reminders that the cycle of life keeps turning. There's something profound about experiencing loss and new beginnings so close together.

Week two: Celebrations, Challenges, and Unexpected Moments

The cold snap hit us hard this week. After months of rainy weather winter finally arrived at the farm, and you could see it immediately in how our animals responded. Our dogs were cuddled up together in the most adorable pile.

My 40th birthday fell right in the middle of farm life, as these things do! not only did we loose Bella, the floods we also lost a family member and the week just hasn't felt like a week that celebrations are called for. But Margot made her famous Toblerone cheesecake and i got to have al my family and community around me for my birthday so i feel very blessed. I'll just have a 40th celebration re-do later in the year (when it's hopefully dryer)

Garden discoveries continue to amaze me. Every week i find a bug i've never seen before. I found the most incredible spider in our veggie patch. There's magic in paying attention to the small things. It's made me think we need to organise some macro photography on the farm to try and showcase the diversity of bug life! it It also makes me happy because a healthy insect life means we must be doing something right in our regeneration of the land.

Max's attempted haircut became this week's comedy show! Our beautiful Maremma had gotten so matted with the rain that I thought I'd tackle it myself. About 1/5 of the way through, I admitted defeat - definitely need to invest in proper sheep shearers! Sometimes farm life is about learning what you can't do just as much as what you can. looks like i'll have to call in a professional.

The Reality of Farm Life

This fortnight perfectly captures what life is really like at The Davis Farm. It's not just the Instagram-worthy moments of cute animals and fresh vegetables (though we have plenty of those!). It's the suiting up to run out in the rain to check on animals, the problem-solving when equipment breaks, the heartbreak when we lose a beloved friend, and the determination to start over when nature wipes out months of work.

Our NDIS clients continued their sessions  and volunteers showed up despite the crappy weather. They really got to get dirty, but i was so proud of them all pushing through and completing jobs and helping to make sure all the animals were safe and fed while the crazy weather swept through. It was such a great lesson in resilience and its the reason we came out the other side of the floods as well as we did. We are very lucky to have a community that cares so much and i am grateful every day to have them.

Looking Forward

The cleanup has begun, though we're still sinking with every step! We'll replant those seedlings, we'll get

This fortnight reminded me why we do what we do. Through celebrations and losses, floods and new life, challenges and small victories - The Davis Farm remains a place where people can connect, learn, belong, and grow. 40 years went so quick but i actually can honestly say i love being 40. i can see and understand and appreciate so much more now that i'm older and i wouldn't want to be young again for quids. (except for maybe the 40 year old waistline) I can't wait to see what this decade brings because the journey is the best bit!

That's life in my boots at The Davis Farm - messy, meaningful, and absolutely worth every muddy step.

This is a first for me writing a blog. i would love your feedback and let me know what you think. what else i should include? Thanks for coming on the journey with me.

The Davis Farm is located at 128 Rawdon Island Rd, Sancrox, on the traditional lands of the Birpai people. Our Farm Gate Shop is open Wednesday-Sunday, 9am-2pm. Follow our journey on Instagram and Facebook @thedavisfarm