The Pither family at their Barrabup Organics farm property in Nannup. Photo: Victoria Baker Photographer

A young family is reimagining conventional farming while helping the community sleep better. From a 500-square-metre backyard in Perth overflowing with herbs to a regenerative farm in Western Australia’s south west, Ashby and Caitlyn Pither have returned to their childhood farming roots—choosing regenerative practices over conventional methods.

The Biophilic Blueprint speaks with the couple behind Barrabup Organics, situated in Nannup, to explore what it means to farm regeneratively. Their story shows how it is possible to build a farming business while nourishing the land and contributing to the wellbeing of others. In addition, their approach fosters a healthy family life and connection to nature with a holistic view on success.

Barrabup Organics produces certified organic herbal teas and oil extracts, made from medicinal herbs grown on their own farm. Their small-batch blends are designed to support sleep, calm the body and restore balance, bringing ancient herbal wisdom into modern wellbeing.

From city garden to medicinal herbs

Both Ashby and Caitlyn grew up on broadacre farms in Western Australia—Ashby in Porongurup, north of the Stirling’s, and Caitlyn in Watheroo, near Moora. But their own journey together began in a 500-square-metre city backyard in Perth.

With garden beds wrapped around the outside of the house, Ashby said he began filling the spaces with plants—but it was a chance encounter at the farmers market that would shape the family’s country farm today.

Ashby recalled meeting a man at the markets who had rare and medicinal plants. “I bought a couple off him, and started filling up the garden with them, and then bought a few more.”

Among those plants was a sacred basil herb that would become the backbone of their future farm. “I found a Tulsi plant, which is our main crop that we grow now, and made a cup of tea from that,” Ashby said. He remembers being struck by its stress-reducing benefits and unique flavour.

“I started researching Tulsi and found out there's lots of other species. So, I went and found them all and bought them all and grew them all. We ended up with about 40 different species of medicinal herbs in that garden.

“That started us on this whole journey with medicinal plants,” Caitlyn said. Parallel to their gardening discovery and passion, the said they were also investing in their general wellbeing with yoga and healthier eating—laying the foundation for the farm’s future focus on products that enhance wellness.

The Pithers create a balance between farming and family life. Photo: Barrabup Organics

Establishing Barrabup Organics

This newfound love of growing vegetables and herbs motivated the couple to look for a larger property in the South West of WA—an area known for agriculture and a quiet country lifestyle. “We had it Certified Organic from the moment we bought it, and slowly transitioned down here, figuring out how to do organic agriculture,” Caitlyn said.

Ashby completed a permaculture design course, among others, which equipped the couple with the knowledge to integrate regenerative principles into the farm’s design.

“We are both from farming backgrounds, but broadacre, not organic,” Ashby said. “That didn’t fit in with our morals and ethics. We always wanted to be doing organic.”

Initially, Barrabup Organics focused on certified organic vegetables. “We didn’t do any of the herbs at first,” Caitlyn said. But the couple kept growing Tulsi for themselves, enjoying the benefits, until they realised its potential as a crop.

“We started experimenting with the herbs and drying them, and specifically Tulsi as the main one. Each year we put more and more in,” Caitlyn said. “Now we’re at the point where the only veggies we do are garlic on a commercial scale. And we’re probably going to drop that next year too.”

This year, the couple will expand Tulsi cultivation and upgrade processing infrastructure.

“We won a grant through the Forestry Transition round … new drying infrastructure, new dryers, a bit of processing equipment,” Caitlyn said. “It’s going to enable us to really start to scale it up.”

Building a sustainable business

The shift to herbs not only aligned with their ethics—it also made farming more sustainable for their family.

“With the veggies, they don’t last,” Caitlyn explained. “We’d go to a market, and if you didn’t sell, then all that produce was gone to waste, which is disheartening—and financially a waste as well. But with the tea and the herbal oils, they’re not perishable.”

The move wasn’t just a business decision—it was deeply personal and sustainable. For Ashby and Caitlyn, shifting to medicinal herbs meant building a livelihood that aligned with their values, reduced waste and provided a longer-lasting product. It also gave them the chance to see a direct connection between the land they nurture and the well-being of the people who used their teas and oils.

“It’s very rewarding when you can help people with their problems… and improve their daily well-being,” Caitlyn said.

Herbs growing at Barrabup Organics. Photo of tea closeups by Kasia Creates.

Creating natural alternatives for the community

A significant part of Barrabup Organics’ mission is creating alternatives for people struggling with sleep and chronic pain, areas often underserved by conventional medicine.

“A lot of times it’s not so hard to sell because so many people are fed up with the conventional medical approach … especially when it comes to sleep and the pain side of things,” Caitlyn said.

She explained how common treatments, such as melatonin or strong painkillers, can have negative side effects. “Melatonin is the most common thing that people are prescribed for sleep, and it just makes you feel groggy the next day … people are becoming aware of how bad it is to flood your body with melatonin.”

Ashby added, “There’s people that are just suffering because they don’t want to use strong painkillers… they’ve had family or friends who have had it, causing issues. People are looking for alternatives for that.”

Through these medicinal herbs, Barrabup Organics bridges the gap between wellness and sustainability, offering natural remedies that are both beneficial to human health and produced through ethical, regenerative practices.

Ashby and Caitlyn live and farm by the regenerative philosophy. Photo: Victoria Baker Photographer

Regeneration at the Core

Regenerative farming lies at the core of Barrabup Organics’ philosophy—and for Ashby and Caitlyn, it has meant consistently learning, challenging the status quo, and embracing a holistic approach to both farming and business.

“The whole regenerative side of things started to really kick off just after we started farming down here,” Ashby said of their move in 2019.

From the start, they implemented revegetation projects along the farm’s creek, fencing it off from livestock and planting native trees to restore ecosystems. They also employ drip irrigation and rotational planning to enhance soil structure, manage weeds and protect ecological health.

“Most crops are summer crops… we can generally get a good cover with whatever pops up in the autumn rains,” Ashby said. “Weeds are the biggest management issue in certified organic farming. If you don’t manage them, you often don’t get a crop.”

The couple also rely on locally produced fertiliser from Soil Dynamics in Margaret River.

“We get a soil test done, and then we get a custom blend made up of different minerals and organic fertilizer amendments to suit our exact nutrient profiles,” Ashby explained.

The minerals are “specifically designed” for their soils, Caitlyn added.

“It feeds the microbes in the soil over feeding the plants directly, and we get really good results with their fertilizers … top quality, premium stuff and such a diverse mix of nutrients. Anthony and Tini do a really good job,” Ashby said. “That’s our main fertilization program. We do a bit with fish hydrolysates and kelp when required to keep the crops along.”

Their crop rotation is carefully planned. “We’ve been working in the same area now for seven seasons. So, we’re now going to move to a new area, probably three different areas, and then we’re going to be rotating the livestock back into the area that we’ve been growing in,” Ashby said. The attention to soil and ecosystem health ensures that every aspect of the farm contributes to long-term sustainability, not just crop yield.

Looking ahead: growing a regenerative future

Regenerative thinking for the family and business means creating a farm that supports long-term ecological health while sustaining livelihoods. It’s about balancing work with family life, allowing children to grow up connected to nature, and building a business that thrives without compromising the land, environment or the wellbeing of the wider community.

For Ashby and Caitlyn, this philosophy became especially clear when they left Perth for Nannup, trading city life for the rhythms of the country. Even as their business grows, they maintain a careful balance between farm operations and family life.

“As soon as you leave and then come back, you notice all the hustle and bustle and how much it impacts your stress levels … your mental health.” Ashby said. “In the city, there’s constant low-level anxiety. Here, even when it’s stressful running a farm, you can still spend time with your kids and be in nature.”

Aligning with the Biophilic Vision

Barrabup Organics embodies the Biophilic principle of connecting people, plants and land to enhance wellbeing and ecological health. By choosing regenerative farming over traditional approaches, the family restores ecosystems, builds sustainable products and nurtures both the earth and their community.

Their story demonstrates that vision, ethics and conscious choice can coexist with a commercially viable farm. By leaving the city and reclaiming their connection to the land—but doing so differently—they create a model for families, farmers and communities across Australia: one where farming enriches both people and planet.

Learn more

For more on Ashby and Caitlyn’s regenerative work and healing herb products, visit Barrabup Organics at barrabuporganics.com.au.

Soil-health solutions, visit Soil Dynamics at soildynamics.com.au

Growing Calm: A Western Australian Family’s Move from City Life to Regenerative Farming