Willunga Farmers Market awarded its 8th Farmers Scholarship on Saturday 6 August to the startup Worms of Willunga business venture. 

Developed in 2014 in response to the declining number of farmers in the industry nationwide, the Willunga Farmers Market Scholarship is a contribution to ensuring the future of farming on the Fleurieu Peninsula. 

The $15,000 scholarship, with support from the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board is awarded to encourage farming on the Fleurieu Peninsula by an emerging business. 

Worms of Willunga is run by Chad Freak and Emily Frahn and is located on Willunga Hill, just minutes from the township. 

Their vision is to divert local organic matter into top quality vermicompost that can be shared with the local community - to create their own healthy soils and grow their own healthy food. 

Chad and Emily are passionate about sharing their knowledge and skills with others to empower them to create, grow and develop their own garden spaces with rich bio-available nutrients for their soils. 

“We are excited about being part of a thriving community and look forward to being at the market in early autumn 2023,” Chad says.

Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board Chair David Greenhough has congratulated Chad and Emily for their vision to build a sustainable and successful local business. 

“The Willunga Farmers Market scholarship opens up farming to anyone with a great idea and the energy to make it happen” he says. 

Scholarship recipients add tremendous value to the Farmers Market community through the new products they bring to market, the enthusiasm for what they do and the interest they create amongst the community. 

As well as the focus they bring to farming on the Fleurieu, new farmers are a reminder that Willunga Farmers Market has a longstanding and important role as a business incubator in the region.