Along the peaceful back roads of Tiaro, 30 minutes south of Maryborough, you can catch a heartwarming sight: Energetic flocks of free-range chickens – lively and vibrant – scratching and pecking the ground, discovering hidden insects among the lush green grass.
Each week, in a fresh paddock, these chickens enjoy Queensland’s brilliant sun, embracing the freedom to flap their wings and dig in the soft soil.
This charming life is made possible by Nick and Amanda Kuhn, who, along with their three children, run a flourishing business called Brother Brother Organics, focusing on pasture-raised, free-range eggs.
The Kuhns kicked off their journey on Nick’s parents’ property near Maryborough but dreamed of having a place of their own.
Thanks to the help of a QRIDA Sustainability Loan, their dream came true.
“QRIDA, I’d heard through the grapevine, were fantastic to deal with and if you are looking to get into your own primary production business these were the guys to talk to,” Nick said.
“We already had an established business, but it was on my parent’s property. The Sustainability Loan enabled us to purchase land and we’ve been able to move our entire business operation from my parent’s place to our place.”
Now, their fresh, tasty eggs are delivered to local businesses and restaurants across the Fraser Coast and, every week, excited customers gather at the markets in Maryborough, eager to grab the first cartons of these tasty goodies.
Amanda points out that it’s truly a family effort, with their kids gaining hands-on experience in the business.
“We didn’t know anything about chickens, so we’ve kind of learned along the way but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else these days,” Amanda said.
“I think a lot of our customers love the story as well. We’re not just a husband and wife team, it’s a family effort.”
Their story resonates with customers, who connect with their heartfelt journey — it’s not just about business; it’s a family affair.
Securing their loan came with its share of challenges, but they received essential support from Mark Barrett, their QRIDA regional area manager for Wide Bay and Fraser Coast.
“In the application process, there’s a lot of unknowns and if you’re not financially minded you might think it’s a bit difficult,“ Nick said.
“Having Mark there, the regional area manager, he was able to answer all our questions, offer a lot of assistance and help us submit the application.“
Mark has been a regional area manager more than 15 years and says the best part of his job is getting on-farm to assist producers.
“Farmers are the salt of the earth. When you arrive on their farm to help, whether it’s a grant, loan, disaster or drought recovery, they’re very appreciative. They welcome you into their homes, they introduce you to their families and you get to pat their dog,” he said.
“It’s been great to see Nick, Amanda and their family grow their business to a point where they could purchase their own land to operate their business on. From here the world’s their ‘eggshell’ on where they want to take their business to next.“
A QRIDA Sustainability Loan offers up to $1.3 million to existing Queensland-based primary producers to create a viable future for their farming business.
So, the next time you enjoy a delicious, locally-sourced egg, think of the Kuhn family.
Their hard work is transforming, not just their lives, but the local community’s too and is yet another farming story filled with dedication, resilience and the unyielding chase of dreams.
