April 17 : Australia (Toowomba) Field Visit to Symara Farm

(Toowomba, April 17, 2014) The newly formed Family Farmers United Network (FFUN) held a field day at Symara Farm, owned by Ray and Sam Palmer.  This was the network’s first event, and was a great success.  After introductions, the group was led by Ray and Sam and taken on a tour of their beautiful farm.  From a greenhouse filled with healthy tomato and cucumber plants, to fields of vegetables covered in cloth to protect them from frosts, to free range chickens for eggs and meat – the group listened intently to the information that Ray shared.   The more experienced farms offered suggestions and advice which was greatly appreciated by the whole group.

After the tour of the farm, it was time to eat a shared lunch, and then watch 2 videos – one produced by Greenhorns (the young farmer network group from USA) and the other produced by La Via Campesina on the saving of seeds. Sam led a discussion around the FFUN survey questions relating to defining who was a ‘family farmer’ and what processes the network wished to use to accept new members.

 The event was completed by the sharing of seeds.

 See more photos of the days.