About Growing Made Simple
Established in 2023, by local food growing advocate Susanne Engelhard. Growing Made Simple is a Profit for Purpose company dedicated to advancing the locally grown food movement.
Susanne is a passionate advocate for the power of locally grown food, driven by a deep belief in its benefits for both people and the planet. She is the visionary founder and CEO of Green Thumb Farm, a not-for-profit community farm in Samford Valley that opened in February 2023.
Susanne launched the Moreton Bay Farm Trail in 2024, which returns as an annual event in 2025. The Trail connects people directly with their local farmers through real farm experiences and community storytelling.
She also co-founded the Samford Edible Garden Trail in 2020 and led the community team for four years. This annual event celebrates everyday people who grow food in their backyards, opening their gardens to the public to share knowledge, inspire others, and build community connection.
At the heart of Susanne’s work is a commitment to inspiring people to support locally grown food—whether by growing it themselves or buying from local farmers. She believes that local food strengthens communities, improves health, delivers higher-quality produce, and supports the environment through sustainable, small-scale agriculture. When food is grown close to where people live, it fosters deeper human connection and helps children understand what real food truly is—far beyond the highly processed products that dominate supermarkets. Local food systems also reduce transport impacts, contributing to better environmental outcomes for everyone.
Through Green Thumb Farm, she has also established a weekly farmgate market in Samford, held every Saturday morning from 8–11am—a growing hub of local connection, fresh produce, and community spirit.
You can follow her projects at:
greenthumbfarm.org.au
moretonbayfarmtrail.com.au
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