A regenerative approach to soil, people, and community

A regenerative approach to soil, people, and community

By Susanne Engelhard

At Green Thumb Farm, we believe empathy isn’t just for people — it belongs in the garden too.

We can never truly know what lies beneath the surface — whether it’s in the soil or in someone’s heart. And yet, our work as farmers, growers, and community builders depends on our ability to observe, respond, and care — with empathy.

Farming with Empathy: Healing Soil, Growing Nourishment

Regenerative farming is built on a simple principle: give more than you take. Rather than stripping the soil, we work to restore it — improving its structure, increasing microbial life, and helping it hold moisture and sequester carbon.

At Green Thumb Farm, we grow nutrient-dense, seasonal produce using natural, organic practices:

• We enrich the soil with a diverse mix of minerals and compost.

• We use seaweed extract to ease transplant shock and support plant health.

• We add biochar to improve soil structure and boost microbial life.

• We compost all year round, in as many ways as possible — and treat it as our farm’s foundation.

We’re constantly observing:
Does the soil feel alive? Is there enough moisture to support microbes? Are the bees here today? Have we left enough flowers and habitat for pollinators — both honeybees and native bees?

These are not just technical decisions — they’re acts of care.

Kindness in the Garden, and the Team Behind It

Farming is hard work — and no one does it alone. At Green Thumb Farm, we see each other not just as workers or volunteers, but as people with full, complex lives.

Empathy in our organisation means asking:
What’s going on behind the scenes for this person? Are they overwhelmed? Thriving in a team or struggling solo? What do they need to feel supported?

We believe creating a kind, collaborative culture isn’t separate from the farming work — it is the work. Healthy soil, healthy plants, and healthy people are all connected.

Why It Matters

When we farm with empathy, we’re not just growing food — we’re growing relationships. With the land. With each other. And with the community around us.

🌱 Come see it in action.

Visit our Farmgate Market every Saturday, 8–11am at 2204 Mt Samson Road, Samford Valley — rain, hail or shine.

💚 Want to volunteer, learn to grow, or bring your group to the farm?

Explore how to get involved at www.greenthumbfarm.org.au