vegetables

38
Setting a high
standard brings a
golden reward
FOR ALMOST 70 YEARS, THE TARANTO
FAMILY HAS BEEN GROWING VEGETABLES
IN THE SMALL REGION OF TYABB IN
VICTORIA. SAM TARANTO SPEAKS
TO VEGETABLES AUSTRALIA ABOUT
DEVELOPING HIS BUSINESS AND
ENHANCING HIS ENVIRONMENTAL
CREDENTIALS WITH ENVIROVEG GOLD.
The Taranto family has
witnessed many changes in
their vegetable growing business
since its establishment in Tyabb,
Victoria in 1947, including
expanded and simplified
operations. At the core of the
business, however, Sam Taranto
explains that some things have
never changed.
“The main thing we try to do
is grow a high quality article and
get a higher return,” he says.
The decision to narrow the
focus of the farm to four lines
(leeks, spinach, baby cos
and Dutch carrots) over the
past 10 years has occurred
in line with industry changes
and investments. By targeting
these lines, Taranto Farms
has been able to invest heavily
in equipment to increase
efficiencies on-farm.
“We have expanded to 230
acres and all lines are now
grown 12 months of the year.
The advances in mechanisation
have made it easier to specialise
in a certain area and invest
heavily,” Sam explains.
Using specialist equipment
has also allowed Taranto
Farms to focus on sustainable
practices such as increasing
water delivery methods. Last
year, a new washing facility was
installed for this reason.
“We irrigate at night time so
the water better penetrates the
plants,” Sam says.
“We water multiple times to
eliminate wastage through water
runoff and we control our own
water, recycling wash water to
be used again and again.”
These good farming practices
are commonplace for the
Taranto family, who see the
changes as necessities to a
modern farmer.
“We also do a lot of cover
crops and green crops, and
since we have grown to our
current size we have put in
hedges everywhere to stop