Lilli and Damien Reardon
Mimosa Park Pork – Tasmania
Lilli discovered pig farming when she married sixth generation Tassie farmer Damien. Traditionally known as a picturesque region for apples and cherries, the pair have put the Huon Valley on the map for premium APIQ certified free range Berkshire pork.
The pair chose pure bred Berkshire pigs to suit the ideal climate and produce pork they would want to buy. Their ethos for ethically raised pigs are underpinned by free range APIQ certification standards, targeting the ‘conscious consumer’ and doing their bit for biosecurity.
Free range pig farming is not without its challenges. Forever at the mercy of the climate, much of the herd was lost in the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires. But for Damien and Lilli these challenges are far outweighed by the reward of raising children outdoors alongside animals they enjoy working with.
From a science background to a lucrative future in agriculture, Lilli has no regrets. Their pork has been showcased at the likes of the Delicious Tasmanian Feast of Winter event in Sydney and the Australian Open Tennis. The greatest reward is in tasting their pork in dishes from chef royalty Guy Grossi while at the same time knowing that they’re feeding hundreds of families like theirs in the lead up to Christmas.