Naturally Goat is a St Andrews-based business that produces organic skincare products, using fresh milk from their dairy goat farm. Naturally Goat owner, Oriana Edmonds, is passionate about giving young people the opportunity to experience a real workplace.
For several years, Naturally Goat has worked closely in partnership with BNLLEN to provide multiple Work Placement opportunities for young people. Orianna also accommodates a number of other industry exposure opportunities for young people, working with BNLLEN to regularly host webinars and workplace tours. Additionally, Orianna participates in the BNLLEN Industry Speaker Bank program, introducing local students to career opportunities in agriculture and sharing her journey as an entrepreneur.
At Naturally Goat, Orianna gives students the opportunity to get involved with the end-to-end process of soap-making, from milking the goats right through to manufacturing the soap. As part of tending to the goats on her farm, she also exposes young people to various aspects of animal husbandry, including cleaning, grooming and feeding.
Orianna approaches every placement with flexibility, empathy and a strong commitment to inclusion. She has been proactive in adapting workplace experiences to meet the individual needs of each young person.
During a recent placement, BNLLEN worked closely with Orianna to make adjustments for a neurodivergent young person, who she observed was initially “quiet, reserved and reluctant to engage in conversation.” Orianna was attentive to the needs of this young person, immediately seeking out additional guidance and resources. Supported by BNLLEN, she revised the placement structure to ensure it was comfortable, meaningful and accessible for this student.
In accordance with this young person’s needs, she introduced more structure, daily routines and regular opportunities for short breaks. She also used shared interests, such as music, to build rapport. Over time, the student’s confidence grew significantly.
“By the end of the placement, she was initiating conversations, asking questions and engaging much more comfortably,” Orianna said. “Watching that growth was incredibly rewarding.”
“Trust doesn’t always come through conversation, and sometimes it’s about being comfortable with silence, providing clear expectations and simply allowing young people the space they need to self-regulate and feel safe.”
Oriana believes many young people, particularly those who are neurodivergent, can thrive in the workplace when given understanding, patience and the right support.
“Sometimes all a young person needs is someone willing to give them a chance,” she said.
For another young person, who was interested in the outdoors and the environment, Orianna was able to provide an enriching and invigorating experience.
Luke is a Year 12 student at Montmorency Secondary College pursuing a career pathway in horticulture and conservation. He was a perfect match for a Work Placement at Naturally Goat, which helped shape and refine his interest in the industry. He particularly appreciated that Orianna trusted him to take on increased responsibilities as he progressed through his placement. This significantly boosted his confidence and supported his skill development. A highlight of his SWL placement was learning about the different components of land management, including regenerative farming practices and sustainable agriculture.
Following his placement, Luke has incorporated a Certificate II in Permaculture and a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management into his studies. His long-term goal is to make a meaningful impact on the environment by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, reducing soil degradation, and addressing the impacts of climate change.
Luke said that he would absolutely recommend undertaking SWL placements to other students.
“Get as many work placements as you can, because it’s going to help you so much in the future.”
“You’ll get to a work site and know how to do things, and your employers will be happy, and so will you.”
One of the biggest strengths of collaborating with Naturally Goat has been its continuity. Working together over a number of years has allowed BNLLEN and Naturally Goat to build a strong understanding of each other’s goals and create a consistent pipeline of opportunities for young people.
We appreciate the ongoing support and commitment that Naturally Goat brings to this partnership.
“I feel strongly that employers have a responsibility to open doors and give young people a chance.” – Orianna