#63: Building a Farming business, Making an impact and Creating communities with Randal Breen from Echo Valley Farm Artwork

A Place to Call Home | Stories from Australian Agriculture

A Place to Call Home, hosted by Sam Fryer, is a podcast for the next generation of Australian primary producers, sharing the stories, lessons and insights from people building a life on the land.

Through honest conversations with farmers, industry leaders and rural entrepreneurs, each episode explores the journeys behind agriculture — the successes, the challenges, and the decisions that shape life in rural Australia.

Guests share first-hand experiences from across the industry, along with practical knowledge to help guide those looking to build their future in agriculture and find a place to call home.

Whether you're already farming, looking to return to the land, or simply passionate about the future of Australian agriculture, this podcast is here to support the journey.

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A Place to Call Home | Stories from Australian Agriculture

#63: Building a Farming business, Making an impact and Creating communities with Randal Breen from Echo Valley Farm

October 11, 2025 • A Place to Call Home Group • Season 6 • Episode 3

0:00 | 1:26:53

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G'day and welcome to episode 63 of the A Place To Call Home Podcast.

In this episode, Randal shares his unique journey from a city life to becoming a farmer, detailing the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He discusses the importance of community support, creativity, and resilience in agriculture, especially during tough times like drought and COVID-19.

Randal emphasizes the significance of building a community around farming and the impact of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model in connecting consumers with their food sources. He also highlights the need for innovation and collaboration among farmers to create a sustainable food system.

In this episode we chat about

Randall's journey into farming
How he transitioned from a carpenter to a full-time farmer after years of exploring different careers.
How community support played a crucial role in sustaining their farm during the drought and COVID-19.
How the CSA model allowed Randall to connect with consumers and share the risks and rewards of food production.
Why he believes creativity and boldness are essential for success in agriculture.
Why aspiring farmers should approach agriculture with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Resources Mentioned

Follow Randal Breen and Echo Valley Farm

📸 Instagram: @echovalleyfarmer
🌏 Website: The Breen Family – Echo Valley

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🎙️ This episode is brought to you by, PRP Regional North Queensland
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