SHE’LL BE APPLES

Farmers and producers from Launceston’s Tamar Valley will throw open their gates this weekend to share their stories and offer a taste of life on a small working farm as part of the annual Farmgate Festival. Among them will be Muddy Creek owners Kym Shilton and Peter Farquhar who run an apple and pear orchard just outside Legana with the help of their three boys. The 52ha property features heirloom apple varieties such as Gravenstein, Cox’s orange pippin, Crofton, red delicious, Fuji and lady in the snow along with six types of pear, including the original winter cole trees planted in 1915.

While the trees are not currently fruiting, Shilton (pictured preparing for a farmgate event earlier in the year) says it is still a beautiful time in the orchard with bees, blossoms and a flock of Shropshire sheep.

The farm is one of more than a dozen properties taking part in this year’s Farmgate Festival including Brady’s Lookout Cider, Bridgenorth Berries, Petuna Seafood, Lavender House, Langdale Farm Pork, Tamar Valley Hazelnuts, Yimarra Farm and Waterton Hall Wines. Download a program from farmgatefestival.net.au.

Organisers suggest visiting two or three farms in the morning before stopping for lunch and visiting another two or three in the afternoon. Take a farm tour, meet producers and farm animals, enjoy produce tastings and learn more about farm life. A one-day festival pass for adults is $20 or $25 for a two-day pass. Children under-15 are free.