About
Gadara Farm is the realised vision of Sarah Munn who wanted to develop a boutique farm offering bespoke outdoor and farming programs for all.
Gadara Farm
Gadara Farm is the realised vision of Sarah Munn who wanted to develop a boutique farm offering bespoke outdoor and farming programs for all.
Gadara is a truly sustainable, eco-friendly and animal-friendly small farm embracing mindful practices for wellbeing outcomes. Gadara harnesses Old School Farming Methodology and Animal-Assisted concepts by looking back through historical traditions and applying them to ethical cottage farming. Inclusive of nature, animals, agriculture and community, Gadara is working towards being fully self-sufficient and includes horses and donkeys working on the land with the application of gentle horsemanship methods and philosophies.
Buildings are designed to utilise the sun, wind and rainwater to provide ecologically sound living and working spaces. Neighbouring Tootgarook Swamp / Boneo Wetlands, Gadara Farm is creating a walking path and bird hide on the farm to both protect the swamp and to document/photograph the birdlife and frog activity non-invasively through binoculars in old fashioned twitching style.
Meet the Founder, Sarah & family
Sarah grew up training and riding horses and qualified with a BHSc (Hons) degree as a registered occupational therapist in 1996; she brings the benefit of over 30 years experience in health and education. Sarah has had an interest in sustainable land management and growing vegetables during her adult life and has branched out to enjoy a wide variety of diverse, old school, farming practices which is a cornerstone of Gadara. She trained to include horses and other farm animals in her healthcare practice which she has offered over the last decade.
Sarah has taught on the La Trobe University Animal Assisted Therapy course and guides other people to include the community in accessing farm work. She sits on the Victoria Animal Therapies Ltd Committee and the Occupational Therapy Australia Committee for Standards and Competencies. Sarah is also trained in Creative Mindful Education for Children with membership to Meditation Association of Australia and she actively includes research on the benefits of nature and animals for her community. Sarah lives at Gadara Farm, which she is currently renovating, along with her two sons and the animals.
“The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.”
- Masanobu Fukuoka