Dan Hamilton is one of those naturals, at one with the discipline chosen as his life’s work - growing food organically.

He does it instinctively, refining his techniques through trial and error and acute observation.

What stood out about the Lindendale organic project near Lismore that Mr Hamilton (pictured) oversaw was that it produced a plentiful and healthy winter crop during a very dry time with the only moisture coming from what was in the soil at the time of planting and natural rainfall.

Irrigation was never applied to the crops.

All crops were grown to national organic standards.

Mr Hamilton led a work for the dole program, now completed, on behalf of the Rainbow Region Community Farms Association.

The winter market garden area was approximately 400 square metres with the balance of the lease made up of open space, with a spring garden bed of a similar size containing sub-tropical fruit trees, bananas, birds of paradise and a substantial citrus planting.

On average, three to four participants attended the site each day.

Community volunteers joined in the project, working and learning hands-on how to grow organic food.

All received a box of seasonal produce at the end of a day’s work.

"Continuity of supply was important when marketing locally, so the same crops were sown every month, using a planting calendar as a guide," Mr Hamilton said.

The crops grown between March and September included onions, bok choy, leeks, rocket, lettuce, beetroot, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbages, dill and coriander.

Yield included 356 bunches of bok choy, 501 bunches of rocket and 257 bunches of coriander.

Produce sales including 1.6 tonnes of oranges with sales totalling $3486, excluding the value of the produce the participants and volunteers took home at the end of each day.

The produce was marketed locally in Byron Bay, Bangalow and Lismore through independent outlets as well as a supermarket at Goonellabah.

"Before planting we prepared the soil by building up its fertility with local basalt rock dust, phosphate, boron and sulphur in their natural forms identified as being deficient through soil testing," Mr Hamilton said.

"The aim was to have the fertility at a level that would never fall below the optimal requirement of the plants at any stage of their growth.

"Any seedlings that looked sick received a surface application of basalt rock dust and were sprayed with organic trace elements and fish emulsion, with a surfactant added.

"Heat composting was also part of the cultural practice.

"Three to four handfuls of compost were then added to every square metre of garden bed to inoculate the soil with beneficial micro-organisms, as well as being applied to any sick-looking seedlings."

Contact Rainbow Region Community Farms Association at www.rainbowregion.com.au/communityfarms