As I cycled the dusty backroads behind the Adelaide hills on my #eBike4Australia odyssey today, I wasn’t expecting to stumble upon anything too extraordinary. After all, the day was like many others - filled with stunning views, the occasional dive-bombing magpie, cows, a few barking dogs, and the ever-present scent of eucalyptus. But as I rounded a turn near Monarto, something caught my eye that made me do a double-take: woke sheep and climate cult mushrooms.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Woke sheep and Climate Cult Mushrooms? Have the Nullarbor and corrugated roads finally gotten to him?” But hear me out. These sheep were not only happily grazing but doing so under a large array of solar panels, which were powering a huge mushroom farm on the same property. Yes, you read that right - the Costa Mushroom Farm, is powered by the sun and sheep casually munch away beneath all the panels. If this isn’t the very definition of ‘woke’ and ‘climate cult madness’, then I don’t know what is.
But beyond the woke and climate cult novelty, there’s a serious message here. What I saw was more than just a clever use of land and emissions reduction efforts; it was an example of income diversification in action. In a world where climate change is threatening farmers incomes and productivity, expanding, diversifying and integrating income streams is not just smart - it’s essential.
The solar panels were clearly providing a steady stream of low-cost renewable energy, helping to power the farm while reducing its carbon footprint. The sheep were enjoying keeping the grass trimmed and providing a secondary source of income through either their wool or meat, or both. And the mushrooms? Well, I expect they must be the star of the show, thriving in an environment that’s as sustainable as it is productive.
This kind of diversified farming isn’t just good for landholders - it’s good for the planet. By spreading their risks across multiple income streams, farmers can enhance productivity while also ensuring a more secure financial future. It’s the perfect marriage of tradition and innovation, where old-school farming can meet climate action and cutting-edge technology.
And here’s the kicker: it’s also another prime example of how “what’s good for the weather is good for the wallet.” Renewable energy isn’t just about reducing emissions; it’s about creating new opportunities for income and economic stability. In the case of this mushroom farm, the solar panels are doing double duty - helping to grow food and providing a reliable source of power, all while the sheep go about their business.
So next time you hear someone criticise renewable energy as being “woke” or part of the “climate cult”, just point them to this farm near Monarto. Here, being woke isn’t about politics - it’s about survival, sustainability, and yes, profitability. The sheep may not know it, but they’re as much about the future of agriculture as they are about the future of our planet.
As I rode away from that farm, I couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of hope. If sheep, mushrooms, and solar panels can coexist and support each other commercially, maybe there’s hope for the rest of us. After all, in a world full of challenges, it’s the innovative and adaptable who will survive and thrive. And if that means more woke sheep and climate cult mushrooms, then bring it on.
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