Meet Glenn Abbott.

Father, friend and fourth generation Aussie farmer.

Located in Tarome, a small rural area nestled in the heart of the Scenic Rim, Queensland, Glenn is proud to grow some of Australia’s tastiest vegetables – including Domino’s pumpkin.

With more than 25 years of farming experience, Glenn knows a thing or two about what it takes to grow the perfect Jarrahdale pumpkin.

An Australian heirloom pumpkin, the iconic Jarrahdale variety is known for its light blue-grey skin, deep ribbing, and golden yellow flesh.

The best part?

Its deliciously creamy, and incredibly smooth texture!

With a flavour that is mildly sweet, many argue that the Jarrahdale is the finest pumpkin for making pumpkin pies. But if you ask us, we think it’s best on pizza.

We caught up with Glenn from Tarome Farms to learn more about the pumpkin growing process – and to settle this great debate!

“A lot of the work starts early on, before we even do the seeding of the pumpkins by preparing the soil for growing in early June or July,” Glenn says.

“We then start planting in August, keeping a careful eye out for any seedlings, which normally take around two weeks to sprout.

“Once the seedlings have emerged, we then commence our fertilisation program to ensure the crop gets all the right nutrients it needs to continue to grow, before moving on to inter-cultivation which removes any weeds from damaging the harvest.”

Next, Glenn explains, is a stringent irrigation program to flush the crop with water to keep the pumpkins growing and the soil moist. This step is particularly important during the warmer months in October, which normally sees the land harden and dry with the beginning of summer.

“We then look to harvest the crop in November when the pumpkins are ripe and ready. To ensure they are ripe, we check the inside colour of the flesh. If it’s a vibrant orange colour that runs all the way out to the edge of the skin, then we know they are ready!

“The harvesting process is very manual. We handpick each pumpkin and put them into large sorting bins, before taking them back to our packing shed for washing and premium grading.

“Finally, we send them to FarmFresh Fine Foods who does the peeling and segmenting.”

FarmFresh Fine Foods is an Australian business with roots that stem back to 1958 in Bundaberg, Queensland.

Strategically located in one of the most fertile, abundant vegetable growing regions of Australia, Farmfresh Fine Foods are responsible for dicing, blanching, then lightly roasting the pumpkins before they arrive in Domino’s stores.

In addition to producing up to 1,000 tonnes of pumpkin a year, Tarome Farms specialises in growing a variety of other vegetables, including beetroots and carrots, and even grains like corn and soybean.

Employing 12 people to help farm more than 400 acres of land, Glenn says the sub-tropical climate in Southeast Queensland is perfect for growing vegetables all year around – especially through the winter months and into spring.

“We are fortunate to have an abundance of water here in this gorgeous pocket of the Scenic Rim,” he says.

“Not only that, but the soil is incredibly fertile, and very forgiving, which makes for perfect growing conditions.”

As a fourth-generation farmer, Glenn’s love and passion for farming has been passed down through the family.

“My family has a rich, long history of farming in this area since the 1880’s, when my family on my mother’s side moved to Tarome. And my family on my father’s side have been here since the 1940’s!”

If the warm Queensland sun and stunning mountainous landscapes aren’t enough, Glenn says the best thing about being a farmer is being his own boss.

“I love farming alongside my 14-year-old-son and working outside every day in these beautiful conditions! What’s not to love?”

Domino’s is proud to partner with local Australian farmers, like Glenn from Tarome Farms, and home grown companies like Farmfresh Fine Foods, to bring customers fresher, tastier ingredients.

With a mildly sweet flavour, and creamy smooth texture, why not try Tarome Farms’ iconic Jarrahdale pumpkin yourself?

Sample it today on one of Domino’s new Super Premium pizzas including Loaded Chicken & Parmesan, Salmon & Prawn Supreme, or Roasted Vegetable Deluxe!

To learn more about Glenn from Tarome Farms, please see below: