New Forest Glen farm invites public into the world of regenerative growing

From left, Missy Duckworth, manager of Farleigh Farms, & Fruit Tree Cottage founder Heidi  West-Newman aim to show people how food production can work in harmony with nature.

A new farming partnership in Forest Glen is set to open the farm gate to the public, offering Sunshine Coast residents a hands-on look at regenerative agriculture and a chance to reconnect with how food is grown.

Farleigh Farms and Fruit Tree Cottage have joined forces in a collaboration that places silvopasture – where fruit trees, pasture and livestock function as one system – at the centre of a new kind of farming experience.

Missy Duckworth, manager of Farleigh Farms, said the aim was to show people how food production could work “in harmony with nature, using systems that restore soil health, increase biodiversity, and build long-term resilience for farmers and landscapes alike”.

“Together, we are opening the farm gate to show how food can be grown in harmony with nature,” Ms Duckworth said. “By making regenerative farming visible, accessible, and practical, we hope to inspire wider adoption beyond the farm gate.”

Visitors will be invited into a working silvopasture system, with opportunities to harvest fruit directly from mature trees through a pick-your-own experience. 

They will then be able to purchase the same varieties of fruit trees to grow at home, a model designed to turn consumers into participants in regenerative food production.

The partnership also has a strong educational focus. On-farm talks and demonstrations will give visitors insight into soil health, tree management and the realities of primary production, allowing people to see silvopasture “in action rather than as a theory”.

“Unfortunately, Sunshine Coast Council has proposed rezoning several of our farmland blocks from rural to residential, a move that would significantly impact our operation both financially and operationally. 

“Rezoning would restrict our ability to adapt, grow and expand our farming business. We are therefore calling on Sunshine Coast Council and the Queensland Government to support our PYO farming vision and to recognise the strong level of community support behind this partnership. 

“SilvoHarvest would be a truly unique farm on the Sunshine Coast and a meaningful contributor to the region’s agritourism goals.”

For Heidi, founder of Fruit Tree Cottage, the project represents the next chapter in a family story deeply tied to Sunshine Coast agriculture.

“We have been working tirelessly to build the next chapter of Fruit Tree Cottage and to grow something that will benefit the wider community, recognise the Coast’s agricultural history and further our thriving family nursery business,” she said.

Fruit Tree Cottage, currently operating from a small-scale setup in Bli Bli, plans to relocate in 2026 to Farleigh Farms’ former fruit shop at the corner of Parsons Road and Old Maroochydore Road, Forest Glen. 

The move is expected to anchor the site as a regional hub for regenerative farming, education and community connection.

“This new venture carries forward our family’s legacy of being involved in agriculture on the Sunshine Coast for more than three generations,” Heidi said. 

“Our vision is to provide an educational space for children and families to learn about growing food and about the rich history of agriculture on the Sunshine Coast.”

To help make the move possible, Fruit Tree Cottage has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support infrastructure, land preparation and the creation of a safe, welcoming space for workshops, visitors and retail.

“We believe that growing fruit trees with your family in your backyard is a worthy thing to do to stay connected with seasons, nature, and the history of farming here on the Sunshine Coast,” Heidi said.

For more information, contact Missy Duckworth at Farleigh Farms on 0449 881 178 or email farleighfarms@gmail.com. Fruit Tree Cottage can be contacted on 0448 089 094 or via www.fruittreecottage.com.au.