Berry lovers unite
Join our community for tasty recipe ideas, handy hints, seasonal fun facts and more.
Meet Roly & Jemma
As the second son in a farming family, Roly was looking for another avenue of diversification on the family farm after completing an Agricultural Business degree at university. Around that time, word was spreading that Driscoll’s was seeking growers for a “small patch of berries” and had identified Tasmania as a premium growing region in Australia. With a proposal in hand, Roly convinced his father to meet with Driscoll’s – and the rest is history. Over a decade later, Mountford Berries has grown into a thriving 35-hectare operation employing up to 200 people during harvest.
Located in Longford, the farm benefits from clean water, fertile soil, and a cool climate that’s ideal for growing berries with bold flavour and strong shelf appeal. Today, the team grows strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and soon blueberries—all under protected cropping, with ongoing trials to keep pushing the quality even further.
No two days are the same. From morning team briefings and field checks to quality control and workforce logistics, Roly is involved in every corner of the business. With seasonal workers arriving through the PALM scheme and locals filling core roles, the farm runs on a strong sense of teamwork and care—both for the fruit and the people who grow it.
Sustainability shapes every decision. Drip irrigation and moisture sensors conserve precious water; beneficial insects handle pests; and packaging is under constant review to cut waste. But Roly says the biggest investment they make is in people—building a team culture that’s inclusive, practical, and quietly proud of the work they do.
What keeps him going? The simple joy of seeing berries enjoyed by others—whether it’s in a lunchbox, on a dessert, or shared around the table. Looking ahead, he hopes the next generation of farmers will continue to innovate and grow, just like Mountford Berries has.
