Michael Densham

2021 Scholarship winner

​

Michael Densham from Main Ridge, Victoria, receives a Nuffield Scholarship supported by Hort Innovation. Through his research, Michael will investigate key strategies driving increased productivity and profitability of small-scale farming operations.

​

Michael co-established Mossy Willow Market Garden and is the outgoing farm manager at Mossy Willow Farm, a mixed-production organic farm that produces a diverse range of organic vegetables and cut flowers for fine dining restaurants, farmers markets, farm gate sales and grocery stores.

​

“Small-scale farming operations are valuable contributors to regional economies and community development, boosting farm-gate sales and agri-tourism,” Michael said.

​

“But growing population pressures and disruptive events have demonstrated the need to expand the small farm sector beyond the agri-tourism model.

​

“To build an economically and environmentally sustainable system for small farming enterprises, greater focus must be placed on leveraging the strengths of small farms and utilising innovative intensive farming methods.

​

“There is immense opportunity to optimise the management and production of small farms for greater profit and employment opportunities in Australia’s agricultural sector. Through my Nuffield Scholarship, I want to explore how small farms can enjoy high productivity and profit and become a point of difference in an increasingly competitive global market.”

​

Michael aims to support Australia’s growing interest in small-scale farming by directing his study around small farm developments and business models across the European Union, Spain, Japan, North America and Israel.

 

Phone: 0466 979 331      Email: mikedensham@gmail.com   

 

​

​​​