FARM YARNS Spring 2013
175 years from 1838
of farming to 2013
We would like to acknowledge generous support from the following organisations:
The Collingwood Children’s Farm are proud to acknowledge the Wurundjeri of the Kulin Federation as the traditional owners of the Abbotsford Precinct Heritage Farmlands, the land we respect, care for and farm on behalf of all Victorians. The Farm thanks all Wurundjeri Elders past and present, for their guardianship of these lands.
Farm Patron - Mrs Elizabeth Chernov, Government House
2012-13 Committee of Management Cheryl Cameron
Mikyla Hart
Netta McArthur (Pres.)
Helen Semmler (Sec.)
Lachlan Fitch
Pip Hay
Lily O’Neill
Greg Sparks (V.Pres.)
Richard Ginsburg (Treas.)
Jane Ogilvie
Lachlan Turner
Cr Stephen Jolly
Alex Walker (Farm Manager) Farm Yarns is a quarterly publication from the Collingwood Children’s Farm (CCF). The CCF, a not-for-profit, educational small-holding city farm was established in 1979 as a “country experience for city folk”. The Farm is sited on the Abbotsford Precinct Heritage Farmlands, the oldest continually farmed land in Victoria (since 1836). The CCF is guided by a Committee of Management, elected annually. Front Cover photo - ’Big Red’ the Farm’s new Massey-Ferguson Tractor on its arrival day Rear Cover photo - Nala our newest Farm dog playing with Ivy (who’s getting big)—play nice you two!
175 years
of farming
Farm Manager
Alex Walker
Managers Report Two exciting items are featured on the front cover of this edition of ‘Farm Yarns’. The first exciting element is our ‘Celebrating 175 Years of Farming’ banner which will adorn the next four issues of ‘Farm Yarns’. It is amazing to consider that the Abbotsford Precinct Heritage Farmlands (APHF), the land we farm on behalf of all Victorians, has been farmed for such a long, long time. Our aim is for a week of activities to
Above: New Spring lamb being checked out by mum
commence on Saturday 23 November with a formal launch ceremony and then daily events
two years, which is just amazing. This sort of
will happen until the following Friday. We are
corporate generosity keeps the Farm going, it’s
hoping to entertain and inform visitors by
that simple. ‘Big Red’ (as children seem to
demonstrating various historical aspects of
have nicknamed it) has already earned its keep
farming on the APHF, from draught horse
during its first few Family Days, numerous
teams ploughing the land to vintage steam and
birthday parties, the Winter Solstice bonfire
diesel powered agricultural equipment. You
preparations and farm duties such as paddock
can keep informed by liking the ‘Celebrating
harrowing. Some staff have commented it’s
Farming’ event on Facebook. The second exciting item is the picture
Below: Happy handover day with Tim Andrew of AGCO, Farm Manager Alex and Farm Team Leader Bridget (image Cameron Power)
of our brand-new, bright red MasseyFerguson tractor! A tractor is the most highly used piece of equipment on a farm, integral to completing many important tasks. And it’s quite often the most expensive piece of equipment on the farm as well! Therefore I would like to warmly thank and acknowledge the generosity of
AGCO,
the
company
that
distributes Massey-Ferguson tractors in
Australia.
AGCO have
kindly
donated us the use of a MF3625 for
FARMLAND SINCE 1838
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175 years
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better to drive than their cars! And for the
member Nick Wallace who built his first
thousands of city children visiting the Farm,
bonfire mound—it burnt brilliantly.
‘Big Red’ might well be the first tractor they will ever get to see up close and in action.
To all our friends within the European Federation of City Farms (EFCF) we say a big
We are also about to head into our Spring
‘hei!’. This is because their annual conference
Lambing and Kidding time on the Farm — a
(which we attended last year) was held over
great time to plan a visit. Keep an eye (and ear)
the (European) Summer Solstice in Bodø,
out for new-born jumping jacks, jills and baby
Norway. Located inside the Arctic Circle, Bodø
goat kids over the next few weeks. When they
from all reports provided a fantastic location.
are newborns it’s important for them to have a
The conference included an opportunity to
few weeks bonding with their mothers. So if
meet and experience the local Sami reindeer
you are up close please give our new babies
culture. Unfortunately it happened at the same
and their mums a quiet moment together, it’s
time as our Winter Solstice! Next year we are
very much appreciated by them.
very much looking forward to catching up with old friends (and making new ones) at the
Besides the young Spring babies we also have
2014 EFCF Conference in Wales.
Ivy and Nala, two young pups in training for a program known as Dogs for Kids with
As we venture into Spring the Farm looks
Disabilities (DKD) and I look forward to
great with (finally) some rainy and cold days,
hosting their launch day at the Farm on Friday
but we are still on the lookout for more rain to
the 4th of October. Ivy and Nala will be on the
keep all our tanks filled to the top and keep
Farm for most of each week.
water up to our paddocks to foster Spring growth. Of course it can’t be a farm without us had great
talking about the weather! The dominant
ongoing support from our local community for
feature of this past July was it being the hottest
Farm events such as our Winter Solstice
since records began (an average 15.9C per
Bonfire and NAIDOC Day celebrations. We
day). It also included the highest recorded
must thank the City of Yarra and the Victorian
temperature for July (23.3C on Thursday the
Aboriginal Housing Board for their support
18th). Global warming is certainly having an
and great work on NAIDOC Day.
impact and it reminds us to always care for the
Throughout
Winter
we
have
farmlands in a way that is sustainable. The Winter Bonfire was again a huge success, with a fantastic evening had by everyone.
The Farm and the City of Yarra Childrens’
Congratulations to all staff, Committee of
Services
Management members, contributors, helpers
supporting Children’s Week by opening the
and volunteers who assisted in the smooth
Farm for free on Wednesday 23 October (check
running of the event. Well done to staff
page 6 for full details). There will be all of your
Department
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
are
once
again
175 years
of farming
classic Children’s Day activities to enjoy:
course continue to be the usual favourite
tractor rides, face painting and damper
tractor rides and Farm BBQ to enjoy.
making. Don’t forget to BYO picnic basket with plenty of yummy goodies!
We have a great working partnership with Bunning’s Hawthorn and they now set up
A big congratulations to our very important
their annual Statewide Field Day at the Farm
neighbours, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd,
for their staff to try out all types of power
who recently celebrated 150 years since their
tools. This day also allows us to try out
founding of the convent at Abbotsford in June
equipment that might be useful on the Farm!
1863. For 112 years they farmed the land as a convent farm, using it to support themselves,
This Spring is a Member’s Drive so please
their ‘flock’ of residents and their socially-
make sure your contact details are up to date
beneficial activities.
(it’s how we share important information with you). Consider inviting a friend to join and
To this day the Farm continues the Sister’s
enjoy the benefits of an annual membership.
unique legacy of using farmland to support socially-beneficial programs, and many of the farm animals present during their time are still here today. Apparently when the four original Good Shepherd nuns arrived and inspected the farmlands, one of them exclaimed ‘here it is!’. All visitors to this special area would surely appreciate her sentiment today. The development of our Composting area is finished and we are working closely with Cultivating Community and the City of Yarra in collecting local green waste and turning it into great compost. The start of Spring sees lots of our members starting their vegetable gardens, so remember you can buy the best compost, worm castings and mulch at the Farm, all produced on site. These are available during the week and also on market days. Once again at the end of July our horses are off on a holiday break so there will be no pony rides until October’s Family Day. There will of
Above: Some of our Light Sussex and Scots Greys doing what comes naturally—dust bathing, scratching around and generally being curious about everything!
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Wednesday 23 October 2013, from 9.30am
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
175 years
of farming Bridget Bainbridge/ Nick Karavokiros
Team Leaders We ran a Tree Planting Day in conjunction
snipped, chopped, dragged, cut, snapped,
with Planet Ark Tree Day. We had over 100
burned, mulched, collected, picked up, carted
people turn up before 11.00am and so had the
and fed out all the results. May you all eat
entire site (over 1,000 plants) planted and
delicious fresh fruit off the trees next Summer!
watered in by 11.45am! The plants were all well planted and I would like to thank all the
Below: All pruned and ready for Spring growth. (image Bridget Bainbridge)
volunteers for their care and hard work in getting
the
plants
into
the
ground
so
successfully and the Farm staff for their overall support and help with this project.
We have two new animals on the Farm, Nacho our new Anglo-Nubian buck goat, and Hubert a bottle-fed Merino lamb. It is interesting to observe the differences between Hubert and our other Rare Breed sheep on the Farm (even at such a young age). You can see all the extra skin folds inherent to the Merino breed on Hubert. Both he and Nacho are providing good company for each other and keeping Clarence, our older English Leicester Ram on his toes with their youthful energy. Above: Just a few of the many new well-planted native seedlings along the river bank—grow grow grow! (image Bridget Bainbridge)
The Early and Late Orchards are now looking very empty, all cleaned up and ready for the
The pruning is done! You realise just how
Spring growth to start. There are still lots of
many fruit-trees we have on the Farm when
Bok Choy, citrus fruit and Spinach all ready to
you start pruning. Many thanks to Nick
eat though. Buy some at Reception or our stall
Wallace for being the pruning head honcho
at the Farmers Market and make preserves or
this year, as well as the many people who
perhaps tasty spanakopita!
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I’m sure her return will please all of many her friends and admirers. All horses on the Farm had their shared birthday party a few weeks ago. Thanks to the Young
Farmers
who
made
a
yummy
Completo cake for them to enjoy. Pearl and Fisher the Walers also came down to help celebrate (and catch up with Mega of course). No twenty-firsts this year, but it’s Charlie Benson’s next year. So stay tuned ... Oooooh. Swanky. The olive trees at the Farm entrance have had a facelift, thanks to Andrew, Toni, the two Nicks and a little help from some corporate volunteers. And the Compost Hub is up and running! Above: New arrival Nacho the goat buck getting up close (image Bridget Bainbridge)
Below: It isn’t just good feed, we promise. They are expecting lambs! Perhaps triplets with luck … (image Bridget Bainbridge)
We are about to head into our annual Lambing and Kidding season. This is an essential part of our work ensuring the genetic diversity or our Rare Breeds sheep flocks. Several healthy Shropshire and English Leicester lambs have already arrived and we look forward to many more safe arrivals for everyone to delight at. Toni has been busy planting up boxes to put around the central entrance and Farm Cafe area. As visitors arrive down the main ramp they can enjoy a variety of plants thriving; taking in the scents and colours before they head off exploring. We hope they stay looking this good—great work Toni! The always lovely Mega the Waler is back with us until Christmas to do birthday party duties.
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
175 years
9
of farming
1 2 PHOTOS 1 Mega enjoying her share of cake on the Horses Birthday 2 Hubert the too cute Merino lamb 3 Horse’s cake being shared to feed out 4 Zac the Waler enjoying his share of the cake as well 5 Toni’s great planter boxes providing a lovely entry feature at the ramp
3
(images Bridge Bainbridge)
4
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10
175 years
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2 1
3 1 2 3 4
PHOTOS Tasty Bok Choy and Spinach in the orchards Smart new entrance to the Farm Orchards now ready for Spring growth Kat from Cultivating Communities hard at work in the new Compost Hub area (images 1-3 Bridget Bainbridge, image 4 Sam Imbrognio)
4
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
175 years
of farming
Landcare Report This year is the Year of Landcare, at least for us. With three lots of funding, it is a busy year
Bridget Bainbridge 1
to organise all the necessary programs. The bulk of the planting is now done (and has been done well). With the help of students from Carlton Gardens Primary School, a corporate group from ANZ bank and public volunteers on Planet Ark Tree Day, we have already achieved 1,500 plants in the ground along the northern-facing riverbanks. Both days were huge successes, with one Grade 4 boy telling me that ‘planting trees was even better than computer games’, and then reappearing after school that afternoon to milk the cow, with his family in tow. There are still ten boxes of plants to go in the ground. One lot will be used on the Citipower planting day in September (on the southeastern facing reaches of the Yarra) and another site being prepared for planting with the Melbourne Water Kids Teaching Kids
2
Convention in October. The sites have all retained beautifully moist soil since the flooding we experienced two months ago. The floods seemed like a trouble at the time, as everything was festooned with plastic rubbish and much of the carefully-built river path washed away; however it has proved to be a blessing with the planting.
3
PLANET ARK TREE PLANTING DAY 1 Newly planted and ready to grow! 2 Planting kits prepared for action 3 Happy Planet Ark volunteers heading off after a successful day (all images Bridget Bainbridge)
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Plant News
Toni Phillips
The new worm farms
1
2 You may have wondered what the new structures near the Peppercorn tree (opposite the pigs) are. They are two state-of-the-art worm farms which form part of the new Composting Hub, an initiative of City of Yarra, Cultivating Community and the Farm. This exciting new program is a serious commitment to sustainability and responsible waste management. You may not be aware that by separating your rubbish into organic (plant material) and inorganic (non-natural) materials, it prevents leaching of the inorganic compounds - which is very polluting to soils and often water systems.
3
Cultivating Community’s Kat Lavers and Farm Volunteer Monica Morgan have led the
PHOTOS A new worm farm ready to go Cultivating Community’s Kaylyn Hawkes, staff and volunteers will collect food scraps from cafes in the local area by pedal power (fancy cargo bicycles) 3-4 Kat Lavers and Monica Morgan loading worms into their new home (all images Toni Phillips) 1 2
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
4
175 years
13
of farming
set-up of the new worm farms which are
Sweet-corn, Zucchini and all those with large
designed to accept vast quantities of food
seeds are best planted straight into the ground
scraps (from a variety of sources) which will
(after frost) or in pots.
be efficiently transformed into the finest fertiliser. This is a fast-forward approach of
Sow seed in containers; such as Asparagus,
replicating what happens naturally.
Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Celery, Chives, Chili, Dill, Eggplant, Parsley and Tomatoes.
Spring is a great time to start that wonderful garden you can eat. Use all available space.
Grow
seedlings
of
Tomato,
Eggplant,
Vines, peas, beans and even espaliered or
Squashes, Basil, Celery, Okra etc until large
heavily pruned trees can be grown against
enough to survive if half-eaten.
fences, trellises and walls. Brick walls and tin sheds retain a lot of heat and so plants thrive. If you have little or no garden space, you can always make mini-picking gardens in pots, styrofoam boxes or basically any container that will allow free drainage. Make a picking garden of salad greens, Spring vegetables and herbs close to your kitchen or back door. This allows you to make very fresh and quick salads or additions to your cooking. It saves work and water if plants are where you can get at them easily. Time to plant! Now is a good time to plant early
Potatoes.
Onion
seedlings
can
be
transplanted now; also continue planting Peas, salad
greens,
Lettuce,
Kale
and
Asian
Above: Reuse, recycle; a plastic milk carton makes a great pest– and wind-guard for your growing seedlings (image Toni Phillips)
members of the cabbage family like Wong Bok
When planting out consider covering with cut-
and Bok Choi.
off plastic bottles or make a little fence out of 2L milk containers with both ends cut off. This
Seed direct into the garden. Beans, Beetroot,
will offer some protection from slugs and
Coriander, Carrot, Lettuce, Marrow, Parsnip,
snails as well as insulation and protection
Pea, Radish, Cucumber, Melon, Pumpkin,
against wind.
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Farming across the globe The Farm is part of a much-larger, worldwide
social
movement
whose aim is to reconnect modern consumers (that’s us) with the cycles of nature, food production and those who produce our food (the farmers). So whether it’s growing a few herbs on a window box of a tiny flat, sharing produce from a small garden
with
the
keeping
a
organic
and/or
few
neighbours,
hens,
buying
locally-grown
produce, information about what we eat and who grows our food (and how) is becoming extremely important for many of us. Across the world, organisations big, small, private, not-for-profit, corporate
or
government
are
aiming to support this often grassroots demand for information that can help us reconnect to our food. I’ve chosen to focus on two useful overseas websites that are both interesting and positive responses to this challenge. Sadly there was no similar Australian equivalent to be found to talk about! The first is from the USA, created by the United States Department of
Agriculture
(USDA)
as
a
Page 14/15: FACE and KYF2 website homepage snapshots.
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
Andrew Phillips
175 years
of farming
response to President Obama’s commitment to
The next website is from England. Farming &
local food production systems. ‘Know your
Countryside Education (FACE) is a not-for-
farmer,
a
profit whose aim is to ‘to educate children and
comprehensive, user-friendly and content-rich
young people about food and farming in a
website. It also provides links for farmers to
sustainable countryside’. There are a range of
access funding programs! The ‘Food Compass
educational support materials for teachers,
Map’ provides a quick country-wide overview;
including downloadable classroom activity
try ticking the box that says ‘Farmers Markets’
materials (for primary and secondary), videos,
- the whole country lights up! Did you know
workshops and seminars. There’s also plenty
that the USA has over 7,800 Farmers Markets?
of encouragement and direct support for
You
farmers to open their farms for educational
know
can
your
access
food’
the
(KYF2)
KYF2
site
is
at:
www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?
purposes. You can check all this out at
navid=KNOWYOURFARMER.
www.face-online.org.uk.
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Supported Volunteer Program
Julia Smallwood
Fridays at the Farm Fridays at the Farm are very special. Yes it’s
half an hour with the residents, who look
the end of the week (well it is for some staff!)
forward to their visit. The social interaction is
but more importantly Friday is the day when
as important as the pet therapy to everyone.
some of our longest-serving volunteers come to work at the Farm. Nick, Jenny, Meghan, Deb
Friday afternoons are usually quieter, giving
and Annika, Steve and the ONEMDA crew,
volunteers and staff more time to interact with
Oakleigh Centre as well as Condorde and
visitors than is possible on other days. As one
Bulleen Schools have been volunteering for
of the staff I appreciate having the time to talk,
many years. Lately they have been joined by
share knowledge and promote our Farm to
Hume Valley School, Julius and Tom – quite a
visitors as well as spend time with our very
full house!
special volunteers.
All of these people have regular jobs that are
Thanks to you all … you are just great!
vital to the care of the animals and the Farm. They willingly adapt to extra tasks as required, for example Farmer’s Market set-up each month. From time to time work experience students who need support are placed on Fridays too. The regulars are very accepting of differences and welcome them as co-workers. All volunteers in this program have special reasons why they came to the Farm originally, and the fact that they choose to stay on is an indication of how successful we are in providing a safe and comfortable workplace.
Above: Making feedbags is a favourite and very important job on the Farm
We see the development of each individual; their growing confidence, slight cheekiness,
Work Experience Feedback
sense of responsibility and learning to work as
From a student after their work experience at
a team. The feedback below from one work
the Farm:
experience student is indicative of just what we
The
provide for these volunteers.
accommodating and patient
people
there
are
lovely,
welcoming,
The environment is welcoming Taking guinea pigs to the Good Shepherd
The tasks are easy because everyone helps each
Hostel has become a regular highlight of
other out
Friday
Annika,
It’s great that there are so many animals there
Meghan and a cage full of guinea pigs spend
This student is now part of the Friday crew!
afternoons.
Jenny,
Deb,
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
175 years
of farming
What I do on Fridays – Annika
Fridays at the Farm – Jenny
I’ve been at Collingwood Children’s Farm for
My first job is to clean out the guinea pigs with
nearly four years. I like the staff and volunteers. I
another volunteer. We put signs out so that
don’t mind doing different tasks than (just) the one.
everyone can see we are closed for cleaning. If you
I don’t like the dirty jobs but I have to do it. I like
see these signs please do not bother us with
the guinea pigs, helping with cleaning their room,
questions about when we will be finished. Most
cages and doing the guinea pig hugs.
weeks there are guinea pig cuddles in the Barn while we are cleaning.
I’ve met many people. We have a morning tea and lunch break. I like doing feed bags, water troughs,
We clean two hutches at a time, putting the guinea
feeding the animals and pruning. I don’t like
pigs in baskets while we clean. We take everything
getting stun by the stinging nettles. I’m glad I’m
out of the hutches and put the old rice hulls into a
working at the Children’s Farm. Julia is friendly
wheelbarrow. After cleaning we put new rice hulls,
and full of information. The pressure isn’t as high
hay, fresh food and water in the hutches.
as working in the café in Moorabin. The past two years in the afternoon we go to the nursing home
The guinea pigs go back in and get celery, carrot or
near the Farm so the people can hold the guinea
some other yummy thing to eat. The floor gets
pigs, thanks to Deb. I don’t want to leave the Farm!
swept and the signs taken in. Our next job might be gardening or an animal job, or sweeping the Barn
Below: When the signs are out, Julia’s volunteers are making sure the guinea pigs are clean and healthy
or harvesting for the Farmer’s Market. After lunch we take the guinea pigs on an excursion to the Good Shepherd Aged Care Hostel for pet therapy. The residents are delighted by the small furry creatures and are happy to converse with us about them. Guinea pigs like to talk and to sit on a warm quiet lap. Sometimes I get to do seasonal jobs such as bottle feeding. As everyone wants to do these jobs we have to take turns. I like helping animals. It can be very calming. The Farm is in a beautiful location by the Yarra with bush on either side. It can be very quiet and calm but on busy days it is noisy and we have to remind people the animals like quiet people. I hope you liked hearing about my farm day.
FARMLAND SINCE 1838
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Mulled wine recipe At the recent Winter Solstice Bonfire there were many positive compliments about the mulled wine, and requests for the recipe. The good thing is that it’s a very simple one. Made at the Farm especially for the Bonfire, I suppose the best compliment is the fact that once again, even after making more than last year, we again ran out. Sorry if you didn’t get
Andrew Phillips
a cup! So for all who asked, please find below the recipe for mulled wine that we use every year. Have fun making your own to enjoy with friends, and please remember to always consume the results responsibly. If you would like an emailed copy, please contact reception@farm.org.au.
MULLED WINE RECIPE 4 litres of inexpensive (but not awful) red wine 3-6 oranges, sliced (leaving rind on) 2-3 large handfuls of sultanas 1-2 Star Anise 1-2 Nutmeg (whole) 4-6 Cardamon pods 15 Cloves 2-3 Cinnamon sticks 4-5 Pimento (All Spice) balls 4-5 Peppercorns 3 cups apple juice 4-6 tablespoons honey (added when wine is warm) Prepare two separate cheesecloth (or pudding) bags, one for the spices and one for the sultanas. Tie a loose knot at the top of each bag. Pour wine into large saucepan, add half the sliced oranges, and place spice and sultana bags (peg with wooden peg to side of saucepan, watch it doesn’t burn them) and slowly bring the wine to just below boiling point. Keep at this temperature for 45-60 minutes, regularly (and carefully) plunging the spice and sultana bags (like teabags). Add the honey and stir gently until dissolved. If consuming immediately, take off heat and allow to cool before serving at a slightly warmed temperature. Remove spice bag and dispose of. Remove sultana bag and pour contents into mulled wine. Add the remaining sliced oranges. Add more honey if sweeter taste required. If consuming later, take off heat and allow to cool. Remove spice bag and dispose of. Remove sultana bag and carefully squeeze to release the juice before pouring squeezed sultanas into the mulled wine. Strain out cooked orange segments and squeeze to release the juice from the flesh. Dispose of remaining rinds. Mulled wine can now be chilled for serving later. When ready to consume, re-heat to moderate temperature to serve. Add freshly sliced oranges, and more honey if a sweeter taste is required.
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
175 years
of farming Ivy and Nala the dogs
Ivy (and Nala’s) Report
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FARMLAND SINCE 1838
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The Farm & the environment The Farm forms part of a much larger local
novaeguineae) is quite possibly the most well-
ecosystem. As farmers we not only directly
known Australian bird (perhaps with the
care for the farmland but all the natural
exception of the Emu). Carnivorous, it exists
‘systems’ that surround and support it.
on a diet of small mammals (including mice), large insects, lizards, small birds, nestlings
If you remove one part of an ecosystem you
and
snakes
(often
much
larger
risk damaging the whole. Early European
themselves!).
They
hunt
settlers removed much of the native forest
perching on a branch and observing prey as
vegetation across Australia, especially along
it wiggles, crawls or slithers along.
by
than
patiently
waterways. Some of the consequences of this were severe erosion, faster water flows
Females are slightly smaller (on average) and
(meaning less meandering water that fed
their plumage generally has less blue on the
grassland), water turbidity (bad for native
rump. But it’s still hard to tell at a quick
fish), and rising salt tables in many rural
glance. They are quite territorial and live in
areas (which kills grasses and trees).
extended family ‘clans’. There’s nothing quite like it when rival groups stake their
The Farm’s Integrated Paddock Managment
claims by having a raucous chorus of
Plan (IPMP) has addressed the previous
responding laughing calls. Most frequently
removal of endemic flora with an extensive
(but not always) this occurs just after sunrise
native planting scheme across the farmland
or around sunset to dusk.
in our shelter belts and along the Yarra. River banks have stabilised and biodiversity has
Across Australia there are many Dreamtime
returned with positive results.
stories as to how the Kookaburra received its laugh (or why it chooses to). Possibly the
Signs of a healthy environment include the
most well-known Dreamtime reference is
presence of top (or apex) predators. These
found
animals not only perform an important task
Kookaburra tries to encourage Tiddalik to
in balancing an ecosystem (removing the old
release all the water it has drunk by telling
and weak) but their presence indicates that a
its funniest story and making it laugh.
in
‘Tiddalik
the
Frog’,
where
healthy biomass exists that can support them. We have a variety of these predators
There have been reports of Kookaburra’s
that live on the Farm and it’s surrounds.
snatching food out of people’s hands, so if
Recently the opportunity presented itself to
you’re snacking into something tasty at the
photograph one of these up close - an
Farm, keep an eye out. Otherwise you might
Australian icon that calls the Farm home.
not be laughing but the Kookaburra will!
A member of the Terrestrial Tree Kingfisher
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
family, the Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo
Laughing_Kookaburra
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
175 years
of farming
FARMLAND SINCE 1838
21
22
175 years
of farming
2 1
4
3 PHOTOS Friday volunteer Deb visiting Government House as part of National Volunteers Week 2 Crayon getting used to her new home 3-5 Winter Solstice Bonfire night fun; lantern parades and fire for all to enjoy 1
(images 3-4 Josh Beale, image 5 Sam Imbrognio)
5
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
175 years
of farming
FARMLAND SINCE 1838
23
24
175 years
of farming
Nettle & Potato Soup
Susan Pitman
It’s Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) season again,
One of our favourite ways to cook them is
and whilst they give quite a painful and itchy
making soup with
sting if you touch them, they are also delicious
Programme. Here is our receipe:
the
Young Farmer’s
to eat once cooked. They add an earthy flavour to soups as well as being full of vitamins. Once
If you would like an emailed copy, please
blanched you also can put them in salads.
contact reception@farm.org.au.
1 large onion, finely diced 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 carrots, peeled and finely diced 2 celery stalks, finely diced 6 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1cm dice ½ plastic supermarket bag of stinging nettles (leaves only), thoroughly rinsed 2 litres vegetable stock 2 cups milk Butter and olive oil
In a large saucepan, heat oil and butter on medium heat and cook onion and garlic until almost transparent, add carrots and celery and cook for a further 5 mins. Add nettles and cook until wilted. Add potatoes, stock and milk. Bring to boil then simmer until potatoes are cooked through. Puree in a blender and add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy with some fresh crusty bread on one of these cold, Winter days we are having!
COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
FARM YARNS Next edition due out 1st day of Summer
Collingwood Children’s Farm PO Box 80 Abbotsford 3067
PLACE STAMP HERE
Farmland since 1838
Farm phone: 9417 5806 Email: reception@farm.org.au Website: www.farm.org.au
Family Fun Days First Sunday of the month (no Family Fun Day in January)
Also enjoy hay rides and pony rides (when available), and other farm activities all for price of standard entry.
Farmer’s Market
Where to find us St Heliers Street, Abbotsford Melways Ref 44 G5 Open every day of the year Entry: $16 Family $8 Adult $4 Child
The concept of a supported held the second Saturday of volunteer program is unique to every month for beautiful our farm. Originally it was fresh,as quality produce. Proknown the Disability gram, but we prefer to focus on abilities rather than the lack of them … just like the renamed RDA riding program! You may ask why the program exists and what are the benefits of it to the participants and the farm. In the case of special school students, both in class groups