Farmers educate city taste buds

Former Williams boy and Aussie cricketer Brad Hoggs set the tone for one of the biggest celebrations of WA produce last week.

Speaking at the fifth annual Farmer on Your Plate Event in Perth, Hoggs, who grew up on a mixed crop and stock farm, said he remembered his time in the country well.

“It was a great environment to toughen you up, as a sportsman there was no better environment playing sport with family as a youngster in the country,” he said.

“Country people have great values and its always great going back ... you know you will get a decent conversation where ever you are.”

A try-and-buy showcase, Farmer on Your Plate serves to remind city-dwellers where their food comes from and promote WA family farming.

It included a series of stalls and entertainment including a free petting zoo area coordinated by York’s Nigel Spencer.

Meats on offer included Blackwood Valley Beef, Wandering Clover Fed Beef and Jindong Grass Fed Pork.

Commercial oyster mushroom farmers Life Cykel sold take-home mushroom boxes and Manjimup’s Warren Grange sold quirky heirloom vegetables.

There were also pomegranates from Goomaling’s Jenna Orchard, jars of yabby and abalone meat from Kukerin’s Caminata Yabbies, vegetables from Wagin’s Wide Open Agriculture and honey from Toodyay’s Bee Happy Apairies.

Notable guests included The Nationals WA leader Mia Davies, Labor MLC Darren West and WA Governor Kerry Sanderson.

Crowds rushed to taste free alpaca sliders cooked by Fraser’s Restaurant chef Chris Taylor.

The lean, vitamin-rich meat was provided by Chris and Tara Ravenhill of WA Prime Alpaca.

Lamont Williamson, of Victoria Park, said he attended the event just to taste alpaca, which he told Countryman tasted “better than beef”.

“It’s pure meat, and absolutely gorgeous. I intend to buy some straight away,” he said.

Farming Champions coordinates Farmer on Your Plate each year.

Chairwoman Mary Nenke, a Kukerin farmer and owner of Cambinata Yabbies, said she wanted to draw people back to the regions.

“We want to have more people ... where we live,” she said.

“You can see the stars at night, you can enjoy knowing all of your neighbours and feeling safe.”