Sustainability

The properties that our Galeru partners operate are spread over the “Rainforest Coast”, from the Sunshine Coast in SE Queensland to the Coffs Harbour area in Northern NSW. These properties can be regarded as “peri-urban”, or as we see it, “peri-rural”. They are in areas where other forms of agriculture and horticulture have been carried out in the past and contain remnants of native vegetation.

Growing native species in these areas aids in the regeneration of native ecosystems whilst allowing for viable agricultural / horticultural production of food, fibre and essential oils to provide economic, social and environmental sustainability. This is the basis for Galeru’s Sustainability policy and corporate ideals.

Sustainability, in the terms of economic viability, social responsibility and environmental accountability, can have many different interpretations and we find the following best defines our beliefs and practices.

The use of agricultural practices and systems that maintain or improve the following:

• The ecologically sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity – using Australian native species for food, fibre and essential oil production.
• The economic viability of agricultural production – Using the “Value Chain” to market our products. The value chain business model enables small producers like ourselves to join together to create an economically viable larger business entity which shares the value of its product through the chain. The value chain also allows and empowers us to retain control of our products to the point of retail sale. This enables us to cover the costs of incorporating and maintaining sustainable horticultural / agricultural practices on our properties. Also a decreased reliance on chemicals, fertilizers and other farm inputs allows for lower production costs. Galeru farms are either certified organic or use only organic inputs.
• The natural resource base – farming biologically leading to increased soil organic matter (carbon), decreased use of water and cleaner air.
• Ecosystems that are influenced by agricultural activities –species grown for production are species that grow in associated ecosystems and are planted as polycultures.

And in putting into place systems that:

• Use Australia’s renewable resources no faster than nature can regenerate them. Galeru farms production systems rely on Australia’s natural resources, soil, vegetation and water. We use farming methods that add to the natural resource base.
• Maintains a people-to-land ratio adequate to sustain communities and to insure competent, ecologically sound natural resource management. Galeru farms are small rural or peri-urban properties and as such aim at producing products that will allow economic and ecological sustainability for this type of land.
• Produce pollution or waste products no faster than earths planetary sinks can absorb, dissipate or disperse them. Galeru farms aim to minimise the production of any pollution or waste products. All waste products are either recyclable or can be used in their production systems.
• Safeguards inter-generational equity, respecting the needs of future generations. Galeru aims to leave their farms in a better state, both environmentally and economically, for future generations.
• Are socially responsible. Galeru deals with all its stakeholders—customers, suppliers, staff, neighbours and community in a non-exploitive manner so that positive benefits can flow from these relationships. All Galeru partnerships are based on mutual respect and trust.
• Produce products that have high nutritional values and no chemical residues