Canberra and the surrounding NSW districts have a solid mix of organic and biodynamic growers selling direct to the public. This guide covers how these producers sell, what you can expect to pay, and how to pick a supplier you can trust — and it features farms and farm gates including Amberly Farm, Majura Valley Farm, Pialligo Apples and the Capital Region Farmers Market.
Small organic urban mixed farm and intensive market garden in Braidwood run by Bronwyn Richards and Helen Lynch. Organically grown seasonal vegetables, preserves and table poultry via online produce boxes (local collection/delivery) and through the Canberra-region Southern Harvest box scheme; also runs growing classes and farm tours. Organic practices, not certification-badged.
1,100-acre certified organic and biodynamic family farm (BDRI cert #602, since 2008) near Lake George run by Sue Armstrong and Greg Oliver. Grass-fed organic beef plus seasonal certified-organic vegetables (tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, chard, lettuce) and strawberries. Sells direct at Capital Region Farmers Market (stall 86) and Queanbeyan farmers markets, with farm-direct orders to Canberra customers.
Regenerative farm inside the ACT producing pastured free-range eggs, grass-fed Black Angus beef, microgreens and pantry goods using organic fertiliser and rotational grazing. Self-serve farm-gate micro-market open 7 days, 7:30am-7:30pm. Regenerative rather than certified spray-free — confirm practices direct.
Canberra's oldest continuing working farm. Daily honesty-shop farm gate (8am-8pm) selling pastured free-range eggs plus seasonal vegetables from their market garden, compost and local produce. Not certified organic; markets itself on ethical, sustainable farming with mobile chook sheds. Also runs the Majura Valley Farm Gate Facebook page.
A long-running orchard in Pialligo, Canberra, offering pick-your-own apples and pumpkins. Confirm the season and opening times before visiting.
Family-owned apple orchard minutes from central Canberra - drive through the orchard to the farm shop and buy freshly picked apples direct from the grower. Open weekends 12-4pm in season; sells out and closes temporarily when fruit runs low. Not a pick-your-own operation; spray practices not stated.
Ingelara Farm is an organic biodynamic family farm at Michelago, near Canberra, established in 2004 by Tobias and Beatrice Koenig. They grow chemical-free potatoes, garlic, pumpkins and seasonal vegetables such as tomatoes, zucchini, mixed leaves, herbs and rhubarb, alongside pasture-raised beef and pork, sold weekly at the Capital Region Farmers Market at EPIC and through local organic shops.
Canberra's flagship producer-only farmers market, Saturdays 7-11:30am at EPIC with 100+ stallholders. Key market for certified-organic and low-spray growers selling direct to ACT public, incl. Loriendale Orchard (certified organic fruit), Greenhill Organic (certified organic veg/strawberries/beef), Ingelara Farm (biodynamic veg) and Batlow Organic Harvest. Producer directory searchable on the Explore page.
Direct-selling farms in the Canberra region cover a wide spread of produce. You'll find free-range eggs, seasonal vegetables, orchard fruit like apples and cherries, and value-added lines such as jams, preserves and honey. Some are certified organic or biodynamic; others describe themselves as "spray-free" or "chemical-free" without formal certification. The two aren't the same, so it's worth knowing the difference before you buy (more on that below).
The farms featured on this page sit in a few clusters. Around Pialligo you'll find orchard operations like Pialligo Apples and Kerrison's Orchard. To the north near Hall and Wallaroo (just over the NSW border) there's Loriendale Orchard and Wallaroo Cherry Farm. The Majura Valley is home to Majura Valley Farm and its free-range eggs, while Amberly Farm sits closer in at Kambah. Further out you'll find Ingelara Farm at Michelago (about 45 minutes south) and, over in NSW, Greenhill Organic near Bungendore and Batlow Organic Harvest — both of which sell at EPIC in Canberra.
There are several common ways to buy direct:
Prices vary a lot with season, certification and how the food is grown, so treat the following as rough guidance only — always confirm with the producer:
Certified organic produce usually costs more than conventional, reflecting lower yields and certification costs. Buying at the farm gate can sometimes be cheaper than retail, but not always.
Check certification claims. If a farm markets itself as "organic" or "biodynamic," ask whether it's certified and by whom. In Australia the main certifiers include Australian Certified Organic (ACO) and NASAA. Certified producers can show their certification number and are audited. "Spray-free" or "chemical-free" are not certified terms — they may be accurate, but they rely on the grower's own word, so ask what they mean by it.
Look for transparency. Good direct sellers are happy to explain how they grow or raise their produce — what they spray (or don't), how their animals are kept, and what's in season. Vague answers are a reason to ask more questions.
Read reviews. The review counts on this page give a rough sense of how established and busy a producer is. A farm with dozens of reviews and a high rating, like Amberly Farm or Majura Valley Farm, has a track record. Newer or smaller listings with no reviews aren't necessarily worse — they may just be less visited online — but you'll want to confirm details directly.
Confirm the practical details. Opening days and hours, whether they take cash or card, whether pick-your-own is running, and what's actually available that week. Seasonal farms change fast.
Some people searching for direct-from-farm food also ask about raw (unpasteurised) milk. In Australia, raw milk cannot legally be sold for human consumption. Where you see it offered, it's marketed as cosmetic or "bath" milk, or through herd-share arrangements, rather than as a drink. For the current rules and food safety information, see the FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) guidance.
If you're new to buying direct, the Capital Region Farmers Market at EPIC is the easiest starting point — you can meet several growers in one Saturday morning, compare produce and ask questions face to face. From there, it's worth building a short list of farm gates near you and learning their seasons. Cherries and stone fruit peak over summer, apples through autumn, and eggs and vegetables run year-round, so a mix of suppliers keeps your basket full across the calendar.
Or read the full organic farms & farm gates guide, or browse all Canberra producers.
You can buy at farm gates and farm shops around Pialligo, the Majura Valley, Kambah and Wallaroo, at the Capital Region Farmers Market at EPIC in Mitchell on Saturday mornings, and at shopfronts like Choku Bai Jo in North Lyneham. Always check individual opening days and seasonal availability first.
Certified organic and biodynamic producers are independently audited by bodies such as ACO or NASAA and can show a certification number. 'Spray-free' or 'chemical-free' are not certified terms — they rely on the grower's own description, so it's worth asking exactly what they mean.
As a rough guide, expect eggs around $7–$12 a dozen, vegetables $4–$10 per kg or bunch, orchard fruit $5–$15 per kg, and preserves or honey $8–$18 a jar. Prices vary with season and certification, so confirm with each producer.
Some orchards run seasonal pick-your-own days, particularly for cherries and apples around Pialligo and Wallaroo. These depend on the crop and weather and are usually announced close to the date, so check with the farm before heading out.
Raw (unpasteurised) milk cannot legally be sold for human consumption in Australia. Where it's available, it's marketed as cosmetic or bath milk or through herd-share arrangements rather than as a drink. For current rules and food safety information, refer to FSANZ guidance.