Claredale Pastures expands operations from cane to catering

Already established cane farmers, Kerri and Ricky Mio, purchased the former agriculture college four years ago to continue their cane farming operations.

Claredale Pastures then expanded from cane to beef, lamb and pork.

“Today my husband runs the cane and I run the livestock and catering,” Ms Mio said.

“Our livestock is grass-fed, free-range and slaughtered on farm through our own abattoir. It is then packaged and sold through our cafe which is located in the old college dining hall.

“The ag college was a part of everyone’s history. Everyone has been through the college at one stage, either teacher, student or friend. So having it knocked down or sold overseas was not an option, therefore we turned it into an eco-tourism destination.”

Ms Mio said the catering business had really taken off and sometimes struggled to keep up with the demand.

“We run Droughtmaster and Brahman cattle and consumers want to know what they are eating and where it comes from,” she said.

“We offer a unique experience that allows buyers to come to our property see what the stock are eating, how low-stress they are handled and the process they go through to get on their plate.

“People want quality meat now days, they don’t want rubbish, so they can come to the cafe on farm and see the quality they are getting.

“Consumers can also buy bulk products or specific cuts through out cafe.”

All the while establishing a sustainable business, Claredale Pastures is also going green.

“For starters we are turning our production over to solar and we are packaging our products with a sugar based formula,” Ms Mio said.

“When we took over the property there was also water run off that gathered in the middle of the property from farmers up the river. This became difficult to capture so instead of it continuing to run off to the reef, we built a 2200 megalitre dam, to make us fully sustainable.”

By promoting the business as an eco-tourist destination, Claredale Pastures attracts consumers and tourists from all over Queensland. Expanding their operations to cover destination catering, accommodation, functions, weddings, equestrian events and an offer to cater for cruise ships.

“I want this to be a place for north Queenslandlers and tourists to have somewhere to go, and stop at our destination.”