About Us

Our Story

The Desert Fruit Company is a member owned and operated not for profit company, growing Australian dates. We are located south east of Alice Springs just shy of the edge of the Simpson Desert. Tamara Plantation was established in 1991 by Jim and Trudi Luedi and was run by Dave Berrick between 2006 and 2013. Since 2014, the farm has been managed by members.  Workers receive an hourly wage for their labour with any profits being re-invested into the farm to create a sustainable business.

Our goal is to make our farm an exemplar of sustainable and regenerative agriculture, an egalitarian and stimulating work environment and a profitable, remote business. And of course, to sell the very, very best Australian dates!

Volunteering

Volunteering is invariably a unique and rewarding experience on our property which is situated amongst the red sand dunes just North of the Simpson Desert.

We are a registered WWOOF host and encourage registered volunteers to contact us via the WWOOF website.

WWOOF Australia

Farm work varies depending on the season and we like all our volunteers to keep their feet firmly on the ground (so no elevated platform work!). You might expect to be mulching palm fronds, grading and packing dates, pruning date suckers, fixing irrigation lines, clearing buffel grass or tending to the vegetable garden.

Of course, if you have a particular talent which could be useful to us we are generally happy to put your skills to use. In exchange we will provide accommodation and meals and share our ruggedly beautiful environment with you. We prefer volunteers to have their own transport and be somewhat self-sufficient however transport can be arranged in certain cases, including weekly trips into town.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and are not registered with WWOOF please contact Kim for more information.

About growing, harvesting and selling our dates

Learn more about what the average year at the Desert Fruit Company looks like.

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About our farm practices

Learn more about our farm practices and our vision for sustainable management approach towards water, soil, energy, pests and organic now and into the future.

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About our date varieties

Learn more about the range of dates that are grown on our farm.

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