General News
29 June, 2023
Asteria growing business with horticulture
The saying that from little things big things grow is certainly true for Asteria Business Services, which recently branched out to incorporate horticulture as part of the team’s growing list of successful businesses. What started as a way to...
The saying that from little things big things grow is certainly true for Asteria Business Services, which recently branched out to incorporate horticulture as part of the team’s growing list of successful businesses.
What started as a way to diversify the work of supported employees and provide home-grown veggies and herbs for the team to enjoy has quickly grown into a sustainable business model.
In addition to selling plants in partnership with local businesses including IGA, Mitre 10 and Carramar Nursery, Asteria has also partnered with the Upper Loddon & Avoca Landcare Network to provide native plants.
After Asteria’s first successful planting, some 2300 native plants were provided to Landcare which will be planted in Craigie later on in the year.
Asteria’s horticulture division leader Kristy Voutier said working with nature was a rewarding experience for employees.
“This is like another outlet for the participants and to plant a seed and watch it grow is amazing,” she said.
“Participants know that trees they grew and nurtured will eventually become big trees in the area and they take pride in that.”
The Asteria team have been supported by Landcare in ensuring seedlings were grown successfully in Asteria’s hothouse located at the Nelson Street facility.
Landcare network facilitator Chris Pollock said the partnership with Asteria was an important one.
“It’s really important we’re able to partner with a community-based organisation like Asteria on something like this,” she said.
“There’s not many places left that can supply what we need in terms of plants and do it to order, so this is just great.
“Our obligation with Landcare is to translate community dollars into community benefits and that’s what this is achieving.”
