Spring urban farm tour 2008
The Spring Food Connect Urban Farm Tour was enjoyed by all on a bright, sunny Spring day in three unique and beautiful locations. Our only regret is that we couldn’t accommodate everybody who expressed an interest in joining us on the tour but there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.
The day began with a breathtaking view into the future where a suburban lot was transformed into a fully functioning, life giving farm, chocker block full of healthy, young, edible plants. Jocelyn Anderson is the proud owner of this thought provoking property in the heart of Carina.
We then journeyed to one of the region’s true, traditional farming heartlands, the Redland Shire. Ian Burow is one of our principle avocado and lychee growers. His property includes the summit of Mt Cotton with spectacular views across the islands of Moreton Bay. For me, though, Ian’s journey from conventional agriculture into the organics was the highlight. To hear a farmer speak passionately about his observations and joy of nature, the importance of nutrients in the soil and addressing the needs of the plants was priceless. He was genuinely excited about the staghorns returning to his trees where once the chemicals would have destroyed the spores. I wish I could bottle that moment.
Our last stop was Franco Cencig’s 12 acre Farm in Birkdale, a stones throw from the Cleveland Rail line and a short stroll to Tingalpa Creek, Moreton Bay and a sprawling suburb that threatens to engulf the property like a hungry, prowling cat.
Franco had enjoyed an informal agreement with a lifetime friend to draw water from a stream running through his friend’s property. But the sprawl crept in and his old mate moved to rural Killarney. The bureaucrats got wind of the resource use and by today’s new standards a gentleman’s agreement is no longer considered a valid permit. Tough times have ensued for Franco this year but he maintains his great sense of humour and joy in farming. There is still tons of produce growing on his organic, mixed vegetable farm and what an experience to taste our way through the rows of good tucker.
We have some great images to share from this terrific day once our new website is up and running (shouldn’t be long now!) A big, big thank you to each of the farmers for their time and insightful words of wisdom, to everyone who came along and shared their time with us all, to Bridgett Toner for organising the entire event and to Angela Hirst for the terrific food we all shared on the day.
