Bundaberg, QLD

Swan Ridge Farms is located in the beautiful Bundaberg region, owned and managed by Brent and Julie Attard. The area is one of the largest horticulture regions in Australia marketing over $500 million of produce annually. Brent and Julie, along with their two children and Brent’s father, grow capsicum, watermelon, zucchini and sugar cane. 

They are passionate about doing the right thing for their farm, the environment, and the future of the industry and their children, if they choose to be the fourth generation.

Located on the doorstep of the southern Great Barrier Reef lagoon, the Attard's understand the importance of implementing on-farm practices that minimise and limit their impacts on reef water quality.

Swan Ridge Farms in conjunction with the Soil Wealth ICP project team are investigating and demonstrating steps to reduce plastic mulch and the associated waste management issues it poses. Working closely with industry, Brent wants to fully understand all the economics, pros and cons of conventional plastic, biodegradables, thinner plastics, alternatives, and recycling.