Help to build an on farm processing butchery

Hi,

We’re the Schmidt family—Merridy, Jules, and our three kids. We run Tilco Lane Organics in the picturesque Lockyer Valley, SE QLD, where we farm organically and regeneratively.

Our approach is deeply rooted in growing a diverse range of produce, from certified organic, pasture-raised chicken, beef, pork, eggs and market garden vegetables, all while striving to align with nature’s rhythms.

Our farm is a testament to the power of diversity and regeneration. By nurturing our soil through practices that sequester carbon and foster biodiversity, we produce nutrient-dense food and work in harmony with nature. We’ve built a closed-loop system that minimizes what’s outside our control, ensuring a sustainable and community-oriented approach to farming.

However, we're facing significant challenges due to the pressures of big business and government overreach on small, family-run farms like ours. The only facility where we could process our pasture-raised poultry is shutting down, which means we’ll have to halt our chicken production—a major setback for both our soil health and our loyal customers. Additionally, booking processing slots for our beef and pork at other facilities requires 12-18 months of advance planning. This is a shown us that we need to build a fully accredited on-farm processing facility, a necessary step to maintain our operations and efficiency. We currently spend up to 40 hours a month transporting animals to processing facilities, which takes a toll on our vehicles and ourselves.

One of the most common questions we get from our customers is, "Do you process your animals on farm?" We want to answer that with a resounding yes! Establishing an on-farm processing facility will allow us to:

- Ethically honour our animals and maintain their well-being

- Uphold our Organic Certification from start to finish

- Process meat in a chlorine-free environment

- Utilize every part of the animal (nose to tail)

- Add value with new products

- Maintain full control over the process and product quality

- Enhance biosecurity measures

- Secure the future of our farm for our children and yours

To make this vision a reality, we need your support. If you believe in supporting small family farms, believe in our farming practices and our commitment to animal welfare, please consider donating to our campaign.

Here’s a breakdown of our needs:

- **Total Build Cost**: $400,000 (for a fully accredited facility with council and food safety approvals)

- **Building & Initial Setup**: $258,000 (includes building, plumbing, electrical work, earthworks, water systems, refrigeration, cooling systems, access road, tanks, fees, consultants, and initial fitout for poultry)

- **Final Fitout for Beef/Pork/Lamb**: $92,000

- **Yards/Fencing**: $20,000

- **Generator**: $30,000 (a necessary but optional item)

We rarely ask for help, but this project feels crucial for the future of our farm and the community we serve. Please share our story and, if possible, support our campaign. Your contribution (even a few dollars) will make a significant difference.

Thank you for your support!