ABC Open Great Southern WA
Jocelyn Bathgate
Jocelyn grew up on a cattle and livestock farm in Devon. In the 1970's her family migrated to Australia.
"My mother always grew a vegetable garden," she says. She believed in growing fresh produce, and was interested in cooking food that was different, and using unusual products.
"But I had never really thought about taking up commercial horticulture."
Jocelyn decided to study agricultural science and choose a research career.
But when Jocelyn and her husband Andrew began a family, the balancing act of raising young children and maintaining the focus to carry out scientific research was too difficult.
They bought the Cuthbert property, delighted with the fertile soil and surrounding environment and grew potatoes and vegetables. In 2007 they joined the Albany Farmers Market.
Jocelyn's interest in growing and experimenting with varieties of fresh, organic produce, first stimulated by her mother's enthusiasm, was to become a passion. She combined scientific research skills with the steep learning curve of commercial horticulture.
She researched varieties of potatoes for taste and texture, labelling her products for best cooking method. She says customers became more educated, and no longer asked for some red or white potatoes.
Jocelyn's focus is gourmet vegetables, including carrots, lettuce, pumpkins, garlic, onions, chillies as well as homemade chutneys, sauces and pickles.
"I don't belong to the Slow Food Club but I use organic methods wherever possible," she says.
Crop rotation and seasonal growing assists in the control of pests and diseases.
"I learnt that it was easier to grow some vegetables, like onions, at different times of the year, when pests or downy mildew were less of a problem."
Jocelyn likes to employ people who enjoy working in the fields. She believes horticulture courses concentrate on parks and gardens, with too little emphasis on commercial growing, and fears this could affect labour supplies for farmers in the long term.
Photograph and interview by Marie Mercer.
Jocelyn Bathgate
Jocelyn grew up on a cattle and livestock farm in Devon. In the 1970's her family migrated to Australia.
"My mother always grew a vegetable garden," she says. She believed in growing fresh produce, and was interested in cooking food that was different, and using unusual products.
"But I had never really thought about taking up commercial horticulture."
Jocelyn decided to study agricultural science and choose a research career.
But when Jocelyn and her husband Andrew began a family, the balancing act of raising young children and maintaining the focus to carry out scientific research was too difficult.
They bought the Cuthbert property, delighted with the fertile soil and surrounding environment and grew potatoes and vegetables. In 2007 they joined the Albany Farmers Market.
Jocelyn's interest in growing and experimenting with varieties of fresh, organic produce, first stimulated by her mother's enthusiasm, was to become a passion. She combined scientific research skills with the steep learning curve of commercial horticulture.
She researched varieties of potatoes for taste and texture, labelling her products for best cooking method. She says customers became more educated, and no longer asked for some red or white potatoes.
Jocelyn's focus is gourmet vegetables, including carrots, lettuce, pumpkins, garlic, onions, chillies as well as homemade chutneys, sauces and pickles.
"I don't belong to the Slow Food Club but I use organic methods wherever possible," she says.
Crop rotation and seasonal growing assists in the control of pests and diseases.
"I learnt that it was easier to grow some vegetables, like onions, at different times of the year, when pests or downy mildew were less of a problem."
Jocelyn likes to employ people who enjoy working in the fields. She believes horticulture courses concentrate on parks and gardens, with too little emphasis on commercial growing, and fears this could affect labour supplies for farmers in the long term.
Photograph and interview by Marie Mercer.