There’s a saying, ‘You plant a vineyard for your children and an olive grove for your grandchildren’. If you commit to olive farming, you’re in it for the long run. The olive tree is a fighter – some say you can’t kill an olive tree. It can endure neglect, disease, drought and even bushfires. It’ll be here long after we’re gone and will continue to bear fruit for hundreds if not thousands of years – it’s a family legacy I’m privileged and proud to carry on.
This creed was written leading into our 30th anniversary. 2025 will signify 30 years of olive growing on Kangaroo Island.
The Creed
To be successful for our customers, we must produce quality products and provide excellent service. To stay true to our heritage, we must hold ourselves accountable to the principles that our elders have taught us. Those are:
- Work with Mother Nature
- Live off the land
- Share the love
If you’re interested in learning more about the three principles of The Creed then keep reading below.
Work with Mother Nature.
We acknowledge what is good for the land must come first, but that’s sometimes easier said than done. Some days, Mother Nature is beautiful and magical. Other days, she’s a stubborn cow. It’s a constant work in progress, and things don’t work out the way you planned, but we test, measure, and go again. Make it work, then make it look pretty.
At Kangaroo Island Olives we apply regenerative agricultural practices and natural sequence farming. We look at our farm as a whole ecosystem, where native animals flourish, and woodland areas are protected by heritage agreement. We apply techniques to improve soil health, biodiversity, climate resilience and water security. All while making farming more productive and resilient. The adoption of technology is to be used for good and the application of economics to drive efficient use of resources. Doing more with less is a key driver for us.
Live Off The Land.
Be innovative & resourceful. Use what’s available, and build for the long-term. Money is not an abundant resource, and like most farms we have a massive boneyard. Nothing gets thrown away – repurpose, recycle, up-cycle and reuse. Bush mechanics and elbow grease. Here’s a few rules we live by on the farm:
- Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it cant work (the best bits of machinery are the primitive ones)
- Get the job done – improvise if need be
- There’s not much that twitches of wire can’t fix
- Empty olive drums have many uses
- There’s no shame in borrowing things
- Always return borrowed items in the same, if not, better condition
- Never throw away food. Ever.
Share the love.
Whether it’s knowledge, resources, food, time, or money – if you can, share it. The day will come when you need help, and all those good deeds will eventually circle back. Share opportunities too. Celebrate success and share the wins. Share the workload, because you can’t do everything. Foster relationships and build positive connections within the community(s).
Most importantly, share the land, share the water, and share the love. Fight and care for heritage-protected lands, because humans aren’t the only species living here. Our farm is home to a wide variety of fauna and flora. Its our responsibility to protect it and not interfere
If you have any questions about how we farm, the island, or anything else, please reach out – info@kiolives.com.au
L&R
Michael Esposito