Our past is not just a memory; It’s the fertile Soil from which our future grows.
Merv & Marilyn Schiffke and Bryan & Jane Stothart started growing strawberries in the early 1970’s.
Back then a large strawberry farm had 5,000 plants and strawberries were packed in alfoil punnets, kept cool on dry ice and transported on trains!
How It Began
In 1990, the two families purchased neighbouring properties in Bellmere, Queensland. The Taste’n’See brand was developed in the early 2000’s. It’s unique - founded in years of friendship, a shared Christian faith and a passion for growing the finest quality strawberries.
The two separate farms – Stothart and Schiffke (now TSL) – operated side by side, on adjoining boundaries where they farmed together, leaning on and supporting each other within their businesses and helping each other to grow.
Side By Side
“We’re very thankful for the long and strong relationship between our two families and the foundation that was built for us to move into the future.”
Sadly, Bryan passed away in 2013, leaving Jane and three of her daughters, Kylie, Samara and Tahlia and sons-in-law David and Tim to continue the farming legacy as Stothart Family Farms. In 2018 Merv and Marilyn’s three daughters, Tracey, Samantha and Laura purchased the business re-naming it TSL Family Farms. The transition of generational farming has begun.
Both families continue to share the same unique together farming as their parents. As generational farmers we have 1st, 2nd & 3rd generations currently involved within the businesses. This has enabled us to harness advanced technologies for future sustainable farming.
Our Present and Future
“Who could have imagined that we would be growing 3 million strawberry plants on tabletops?” This relatively new and progressive system secured our farming future and improved our efficiencies. Some of the benefits include—water conservation, direct dripper-fed nutrients, extended harvest times, and increased plants per hectare. By introducing this growing method, we have become more sustainable for our future.
From generation to generation, farming technologies will continue to change and advance. One thing that will remain the same is our passion for growing delicious strawberries our customers have come to love. We get real joy from hearing, “These strawberries taste like the ones my grandma used to grow!”
Tabletop Farming
What People Are Saying