Businesses back teen farm to deliver bumper crops to Urban Angels

Danny Middleton demonstrates the planting process.

by Cameron Outridge

The Teens Take Control Food Harvest farm at West Woombye has been built on hard work, good soil and an extraordinary wave of community generosity that project lead Danny Middleton says he has “never ever witnessed” anywhere else.

Since the boys first turned the soil on 2 May, the program has delivered approximately three-quarters of a tonne of vegetables to Urban Angels, the Sunshine Coast charity producing 15,000 meals a month for people in need. The transformation has been driven almost entirely by donated machinery, materials, expertise and funds.

“Look, we couldn’t possibly be where we are today without our supporters,” Mr Middleton said. “These guys have done this for nothing.”

From the first day, support arrived without hesitation. “Southeast Civil donated machinery and an operator to turn the paddock. They spent two days here, and their operator Bevan Butler worked on his public holiday just to show the support we’ve got,” he said.

The boys now work the farm each week, learning to grow food, gaining work skills, responsibility and contributing to their community. “The social impact this project as a whole has had on a diverse array of people in the Sunshine Coast is absolutely amazing,” Mr Middleton said.

The program’s work reaches far beyond its teenage participants. The vegetables are donated each week to Urban Angels. “A big thanks to our partners endED and Mark and Gay Forbes who have generously donated us this land with a 5 year lease at $10 a year.” 

For Mr Middleton, the generosity speaks to the way the community has connected with the mission. “I’ve lived in numerous communities and I’ve done a lot of this stuff before, but I’ve never ever witnessed the generosity as I have up here on the Sunshine Coast,” he said. “It’s absolutely amazing.”

That generosity includes a $21,000 donation from Paul and Mel McEwen of One World Courier, which paid for the entire irrigation system after just two conversations. Seedlings, fertiliser inputs, mineral rock, seeds, fruit trees, land and technical support have also been supplied at no cost.

Mr Middleton said he wanted the project’s supporters to know exactly what they had helped build. “The work we do here, when we grow food, we’re not just growing food, it’s quality human beings that we are growing. These boys are growing food for other people that are in crisis.

“And it’s just an indication of how inspiring those boys are that it’s really struck a chord with these big companies that are willing to jump on board.

On behalf of Teens Take Control and the boys I would just like to thank everyone involved for their support, It is truly inspirational 

Supporters and their donations:
• Mark and Gay Forbes / endED – farmland leased for $10 a year on a five-year term
• One World Courier (Paul and Mel McEwen) – $21,000 to fund full irrigation system
• Flemings Nursery, Nambour – donated fruit trees
• Lindsay Rural Nambour – covering the remaining 50% of fertiliser costs
• The Pumphouse Nambour – irrigation supply and installation at cost price plus 10%
• Rumbalara Nursery (Glass House Mountains) – all seedlings supplied free
• Southeast Civil – machinery and operator for two days to turn the paddock and build beds
• Katek Organic Fertilisers – fertiliser at half price
• Ag Solutions Australia – donated Natra-Min crushed mineral rock
• Eco Growth – donated organic liquid fertiliser
• South Pacific Seeds – donated seeds
• Fairbank Seeds – donated seeds
• Australian Wetlands / Australian Wetlands Engineering – civil works contributed on site
• Maroochydore RSL – $17,000 donation to support the project
• Bunnings Maroochydore – $1,000 worth of tools donated
• Mark Valencia – Self Sufficient Me – ambassador who promotes the project and produces YouTube videos
• Chef Zeb Gilbert – chef ambassador who advocates for the project and helps promote its work
• Bassett Barks  – Donated 20 cubic metres of soil conditioner compost.

To support Teens Take Control contact Danny via info@teenstakecontrol.org.