Harness interest in farm produce

GENERATING an interest in farm produce among city dwellers is a feat worthy of applause, but containing their exuberance is another matter.

Take for example the unbelievable response by snap-happy people to yellow fields of sunflowers.

Yes, the sunflowers do come out every year... but somehow the city bods only discovered them this year, if traffic jams on the highways are any indication.

Considering AgForce is mounting campaigns to enlighten city folk about farm-grown produce, they should take a leaf off the sunflower experience.

While I can’t endorse people creating traffic hazards (yes, there were accidents and reports of people ambling across the highway) or trespassing through locked gates 100m into paddocks, their enthusiasm to touch nature is to be commended.

Now, not all paddocks should have randoms traipsing through them, potentially infecting crops which provide the income for the person who actually farms the land... but perhaps we should ensure that a few do.

A sort-of touch and sniff (and snap) exhibit, I guess.

Maybe tourist associations should consider securing a couple of hectares where a selection of crops can be planted for visitors to meander through. Small paddocks with access to a car park and toilets.

Consider the learning potential for people to find out how long it takes to grow, say, sorghum, wheat, cabbages, onions, sunflowers etc. They can smell the crop, rub the grain, see how many heads come from one plant.

It’s also a way for groups or cottage industries to make a bob during the season.

For example, lavender products, potted sunflowers, vegetable stalls, sales of bottled water.

Sounds better than trespassers creating a biosecurity risk on some poor blighter’s farm then suing him when they are bitten by Joe Blake... or blame someone else when they come face to face with a vehicle travelling at a legal speed on the highway.

❝ Not all paddocks should have randoms traipsing through, infecting crops ... but perhaps a few should.