Food and fibre the focus of Farm World
More than 900 exhibitors will be part of the 50th anniversary of Farm World at Lardner Park this week.
The four day event, starting Thursday, will attract thousands of visitors and more than 900 exhibitors on site for the premier agricultural field days.
For the second year, an equestrian expo will be a major feature of Farm World.
This year’s theme is Food and Fibre, and Saturday and Sunday will see a celebratory “Food & Fibre Fiesta” with presentation sessions, fresh produce stalls and fibre demonstrations and sales.
Demonstrations and presentations will cover food including native foods, fibre, profile chef cooking and home composting and much more.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary, there will be a touch of nostalgia as Farm World reflects on the journey so far, celebrating the longterm loyalty of machinery exhibitors such as Vin Rowe, Gendore, REN and Alto Motors who were present in the founding years of Farm World, originally known as the Gippsland Field Days.
Still exhibiting today, they join a long list of national and regional farm machinery exhibitors with new model releases, wide ranges of stock display and on-site experts.
The Women in Agriculture luncheon will be held on Thursday. Guest speakers include Rebel Black and Emma Germano.
Rebel Black launched her first business at age 22 from an office on the opal fields at Lightning Ridge, NSW. She has spent the past 16 years creating award winning businesses, while leading development in women’s empowerment, community, tourism, education, business and social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Emma, from Mirboo North, is the business development and operations manager for Germano Produce, a 120 hectare family-operated farm supplying cauliflower, cabbage and potato crops for the Australian fresh market.
Friday’s official opening will be led by guest speaker, regional food and fibre expert Paul Ford.
A free forum will be held on Friday afternoon, “Collaborating to Innovate,” feature a panel of industry speakers who will focus on precision technology in agriculture and social media and how these are driving higher outputs for farmers.
The Equestrian Expo returns to the program with show jumping, dressage, mounted games, a breed village, trade exhibits, heritage draught horses and pony rides.
The Equestrian Expo debuted at Farm World last year, during which a Games Masterclass demonstrated various tests of skill for the crowd. This year the program has been extended to include a full day of games championships on Sunday.
There will be a variety of masterclasses held over the four days, providing specialist advice from the best in the industry, along with the opportunity to ask questions and seek advice relating to your own horses.
New to Farm World this year is the Big Gippsland Jersey Milk Off challenge, consisting of timed milking challenges with noted regional media and political personalities one teat, one hand, one minute, most milk collected.
As well as commercial dairy farming education and presentations, the event will be interspersed with engaging panel discussions and theatrics with patrons between daily milk-off sessions.
Information and ticketing for Farm World and functions are available online at lardnerpark.com.au
Tickets also are available at the gate.