Here’s an outdoor activity that allows the whole family to get involved! The Giving Farm in Jilliby has swung open the farm gate and is inviting people to pick their own blueberries straight from the bushes! You can pick from eight varieties of delicious blueberries and meet some furry and feathered friends, too.
Located in the Central Coast Hinterland, The Giving Farm is a family friendly, down-to-earth farm with lots to explore. Children of all ages will enjoy foraging for berries and collecting pails of them to take home. With multiple varieties to choose from (and taste), be sure to pick from a range of bushes, so you can sample the entire crop.
Meet, pet and feed the farm animals too!
You’re also encouraged to say hello to the farm animals. Little ones love being invited to feed the lamb, cuddle a chook and pat the newly hatched ducklings and chicks. You can also meet Oakley and the herd of milking goats, and if you purchase a feed bag for just a $1, they’re certainly not shy!
Who runs The Giving Farm?
Missy and her husband Anthony run The Giving Farm and if you have any questions they’ll be happy to answer them – they have a heap of knowledge about growing and maintaining a sustainable farm, and the benefits of eating organically grown produce. Get involved and encourage your kids to ask questions too: this is hands-on education of the best kind… and your kids (and even adults) will learn without feeling schooled.
They run pick-your-own events throughout the year
The Giving Farm run pick-your-own events throughout the year (depending on what time crops are harvested), so be sure to join their Facebook group so you don’t miss out on all of the fun!
THE GIVING FARM, JILlIBY
How do you book? You need to book a spot – you can’t just walk in. They release pick-your-own event dates on their Facebook group and from there you can jump in to register your spot. More dates will be released over the coming weeks.
How Does it Work? When you arrive, sign your family in at the trestle table. There are masks and hand sanitiser available, or you can bring your own if you’d prefer. The family will provide you with a container to collect your berries in and you can then head out into the paddocks and start picking. The lovely family who run the farm are happy to explain and show you which berries are the best to pick, so if you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to ask. When your punnet is full head back to the trestle table and pay for what you’ve picked.
It is $12 per punnet (cash and eftpos accepted). There were also some beautiful bunches of lavender for sale ($10 per bouquet), plus bags of feed for the animals ($1).
What to take: Walking shoes, a hat and some sunscreen is all you need.
Accessibility: Children aged two and up will manage walking around the paddocks with ease. The animals are very friendly, but supervised petting is recommended for the sake of both the baby animals and children.
Facilities: There are no bathroom facilities, but there are toilets about a 5 minute drive into Dooralong at the Community Hall (at the start of Ditton Road). The area also has an electric BBQ and a small playground alongside a large oval.
Hours: Visit their Facebook Group for announcements to see what times and dates are available.
Location: The Giving Farm is at 147 Durren Road, Jilliby.
To get there turn off Jilliby Road onto Durren Road and follow it till you see the sign “The Giving Farm” on the right side of the road.
Written By: BRIANA HENDERSON
Contributor
Briana is a local mum with a background in Graphic Design and Photography. Briana is keen to share her journey as a special needs mother and her aspirations to create a more inclusive society for people with special needs. She, her husband Adam, and two children William and Charlotte love exploring the Central Coast, and they’re often out and about finding new and inclusive spaces for their children. You can join them on their journey and adventures over on Instagram or on YouTube.
