HORTICULTURAL HERITAGE The story of this family business begins decades ago, not in poultry sheds or feed mills but in greenhouses. Hobbs recalls growing up in a business her parents founded, Eden Farms, focused initially on horticulture.“My parents introduced the continental cucumber variety to Australia and pioneered that industry in greenhouse technology,” she explains, noting this milestone as a foundation for the family’s longstanding passion for innovation in agriculture. Hobbs herself stepped into the business at 18, simultaneously training under seasoned managers and completing her university studies. From that early immersion, a collective journey of expansion, transition, and reinvention emerged.“Since that time, we’ve journeyed together on a business journey, pivoting and growing into other areas,” she says. “It’s been a really fun journey.” THREE GENERATIONS STRONG Today, Inglewood Farms is led by 3 generations and 11 family members who are actively involved across the business. That depth of familial engagement is rare in Australian business, and Hobbs views it as both a strength and a responsibility. “The key to success has been respect for each other and maintaining authentic, genuine relationships,” Hobbs notes.“Each of us has different gifts, callings, and abilities, and recognizing that and releasing people to be who they’re meant to have been significant.” This ethos of empowerment and adaptability has allowed the business to evolve in tune with its people. Sometimes, that means adjusting roles to fit passions and strengths; other times, it means embracing unexpected opportunities that align with their values and interests. VERTICAL INTEGRATION AND ORGANIC INNOVATION While its roots are firmly planted in horticulture, the family group has matured into a multifaceted agricultural powerhouse—one that spans broadacre and organic grain farming, stockfeed manufacturing, and organic, free-range poultry production. What distinguishes the company in today’s market is not only the breadth of its operations but the deliberate way in which each sector connects with the next. This isn’t diversification for the sake of it—it’s a highly intentional model of vertical integration that reinforces both quality and sustainability from the ground up. “Our businesses flow into each other,” Hobbs explains. “We have a rural focus and an interest in agricultural manufacturing. Over time, we introduced an organic stock feed mill, which then led us into poultry 61 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 04 INGLEWOOD FARMS
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