Erle Levey
All signs pointed to the Cooloola Farmers Trail this month as primary producers opened their gates for a weekend, and the people of South east Queensland liked what they saw .. and tasted.
Six farms hosted the event, which was cancelled last year due to Covid-19.
Yet those interested in food – where it comes from and how it is grown – were out in force.
It showed the importance of the clean, green reputation the Cooloola region is gaining.
The Cooloola Farmers Trail is now recognised as a Slow Food community for the ethical way in which produce is taken from farm gate to the plate.
The fact that more than 700 people attended the trail on the Sunday showed it was really worthwhile event, despite the changeable weather.
Each property also hosted a variety of stalls from other producers in the region.
It started with the Kin Kin State School student garden and continued north to Noosa Black, the only coffee plantation in the Noosa Shire.
At Wolvi, Cooloola Berries welcomed good numbers on both days.
Further north along the road Purity Essential Oils hosted stalls including mushrooms from Tagigan Road Produce.
It was a hive of activity at Lindols Macadamias at Goomboorian with macadamia harvesting demonstrations as well as different ways to sample the product.
Rossmount Nursery at Ross Creek hosted Gympie Landcare as well as Cooloola Nature information marquees as well as exotic fruit stalls.
It was a real taste of what the Cooloola Slow Food Community could do, and more producers in the area are now asking to come to the next one in August.
The farm trail is a way of encouraging other small-scale producers to become involved. A stall can be the first step to profiling their produce and goods.
This month’s farm trail showed that driving into the hinterland is such an eye-opener for the whole family to enjoy.
Kin Kin, Wolvi and Goomborian has a history of agriculture from post-war settlements – dairy, beans and other small cropping.
The whole region is buzzing with quality small scale producers that are working to keep quality and tasty seasonal produce alive.
The Kin Kin School kitchen garden enjoyed their first Cooloola Farmers Trail event and declared it was a success.
A wet one, but a success nevertheless, over 120 visitors come through the school garden, marvelling at fruit trees, veggie patch and garden art.
The home-baked goodies were a hit, as well as the hot tea and coffee served up by the wonderful parent volunteers and student helpers.
Natalia from Broadcroft Design generously donated a new garden art and cafe and Noosa Black Coffee sponsored the coffee plungers which was enjoyed by the many families and garden visitors.
Noosa Black held farm tours on the Saturday as well as information sessions on how to produce coffee, right down to final tastings.
Cooloola Berries was abuzz with several hundred visitors through the farm over the rainy weekend.
There was more than 30 local stalls scattered across each of the farm trail sites.
Food and drink experiences included cooking demonstrations by apprentice chef Emily who is also a Slow Food Youth Member.
Guests enjoyed the flavours of crispy pork belly and green pawpaw salad.
The barbecue was smoking with tasty Agnew Coondoo Claw redclaw farm.
Tours of the farm included a look at the tractor implements used to create the strawberry rows. Strawberry ice-cream and cider was enjoyed all weekend long.
Purity Essential Oils was a popular stop, full of welcoming stalls and farm energy.
It provided fun and learning with beautiful intention and gorgeous products with care for the earth and a respectful relationship with the plants. There was also fungi from Tagigan Road Produce.
Visitors to Lindols Macadamias said: “We had the best day doing this tour today, met some wonderful people, learnt heaps, brought home some beautiful produce to eat and trees to grow. Thank you to all the businesses for putting this on.’’
Farm tours, stalls and tastings with crack-your-own nut was popular.
Guests wished all the farms “loads of business success and a prosperous year ahead.”
Green-fingered gardeners enjoyed RossMount Nursery and Rural Retreat which was filled with local environmental stalls and local artisans.
Trail guests were thrilled to take in a lucky appearance by the resident platypus.
Fruit afternoon teas and delicious licks were enjoyed. Guests went home with cars loaded with tropical fruit trees and native plants.
It was impressive stuff and made people realise we really do need to support our Aussie farmers more.
They are depending on us to buy local and save our family owned small farms.
