Inside Dan Paris’ farm: Former Neighbours star reveals how he ‘fell in love’ with market gardening

Neighbours fans might remember Dan Paris as playing the hunky mechanic Drew Kirk on the iconic soap. 

But now, Dan, 47, is focusing on his booming market garden, which he operates out of his property in Esperance, Western Australia

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Dan revealed how he first got into the surprising field and gave fans an inside look into his farm.   

Inside Dan Paris’ farm: Former Neighbours star revealed to Daily Mail Australia how he ‘fell in love’ with market gardening and how he created a booming business in Esperance, after a downturn in work when the pandemic hit

Dan, a successful actor, photographer and videographer, said he first really looked into market gardening when his two children expressed an interest in growing vegetables earlier this year.  

He said his photography work got affected due to the coronavirus pandemic and he threw himself into growing some produce, that soon took off.  

‘It’s going great, there’s ups and downs, there are all sorts of highs and lows,’ Dan told Daily Mail Australia this week. 

Career change: He said his photography work got affected due to the coronavirus pandemic and he threw himself into growing some produce, that soon took off. Pictured is his property, Mystwood Harvest

Career change: He said his photography work got affected due to the coronavirus pandemic and he threw himself into growing some produce, that soon took off. Pictured is his property, Mystwood Harvest

‘I had all my work cancelled and so I thought, “maybe I can grow some vegetables and sell them at the markets.” It’s turned out into something much larger of course,’ he said. 

Dan said he soon studied regenerative agriculture and the idea of holistic growing, and soon discovered community-supported agriculture (CSA), rather than the markets.

CSA ‘asks consumers to invest in shares in a grower’s projected harvest for a set period and then when it yields, they receive regular deliveries,’ the ABC reports. 

'I had all my work cancelled and so I thought, "maybe I can grow some vegetables and sell them at the markets." It's turned out into something much larger of course,' he said

‘I had all my work cancelled and so I thought, “maybe I can grow some vegetables and sell them at the markets.” It’s turned out into something much larger of course,’ he said

Fresh produce: Dan said he soon studied regenerative agriculture and the idea of holistic growing, and soon discovered community-supported agriculture (CSA), rather than the markets

Fresh produce: Dan said he soon studied regenerative agriculture and the idea of holistic growing, and soon discovered community-supported agriculture (CSA), rather than the markets

Toxin free: He and his partner Tanya Jenkyn work together on their property, called Mystwood Harvest, and Dan said they focus on 'developing the soil and without using chemicals or toxins

Toxin free: He and his partner Tanya Jenkyn work together on their property, called Mystwood Harvest, and Dan said they focus on ‘developing the soil and without using chemicals or toxins

Familiar face: Neighbours fans might remember Dan Paris as playing the hunky mechanic Drew Kirk on the iconic soap (pictured)

Familiar face: Neighbours fans might remember Dan Paris as playing the hunky mechanic Drew Kirk on the iconic soap (pictured)

He and his partner Tanya Jenkyn work together on their property, called Mystwood Harvest, and Dan said they focus on ‘developing the soil and without using chemicals or toxins.’     

‘I sort of fell in love with it and thought it was really interesting,’ Dan said. 

They produce all kinds of vegetables and fruits including watermelon, pumpkin, celery, beetroot, cabbage, spring onions, fennel and radishes, and pack 10 varieties in a box for consumers. 

All kinds of things: They produce all kinds of vegetables and fruits including watermelon, pumpkin, celery, beetroot, cabbage, spring onions, fennel and radishes, and pack 10 varieties in a box for consumers

All kinds of things: They produce all kinds of vegetables and fruits including watermelon, pumpkin, celery, beetroot, cabbage, spring onions, fennel and radishes, and pack 10 varieties in a box for consumers

'We have a waiting list of members we just can't keep up with!' he proudly said

‘We have a waiting list of members we just can’t keep up with!’ he proudly said

‘We have a waiting list of members we just can’t keep up with!’ he proudly said. 

Dan, who has also appeared on ABC’s The Heights recently, also reflected on his career change when speaking to Daily Mail Australia.

He said that changing and going back and forth between his passions is what he prefers, as ‘life is all about experiences.’     

'Life is all about experiences': Dan, who has also appeared on ABC's The Heights recently, also reflected on his career change when speaking to Daily Mail Australia

‘Life is all about experiences’: Dan, who has also appeared on ABC’s The Heights recently, also reflected on his career change when speaking to Daily Mail Australia

New path: Dan, a successful actor, photographer and videographer, said he first really looked into market gardening when his two children expressed an interest in growing vegetables earlier this year

New path: Dan, a successful actor, photographer and videographer, said he first really looked into market gardening when his two children expressed an interest in growing vegetables earlier this year

‘Maybe I just can’t sit still very long,’ he said with a laugh. 

‘But for me, life is all about experiences. I’m not the kind of person who can sit there doing one thing, I want to learn as much as I can.’

He added: ‘It’s all about giving it a go and not being afraid to dive in and when you do that, you open doors, meet interesting people, and your life becomes really full.’

‘As long as you don’t burn out… and I’m getting a bit old now!’ he joked.  

'It's all about giving it a go and not being afraid to dive in and when you do that, you open doors, meet interesting people, and your life becomes really full,' he said. Pictured on Neighbours

‘It’s all about giving it a go and not being afraid to dive in and when you do that, you open doors, meet interesting people, and your life becomes really full,’ he said. Pictured on Neighbours