THE Small Farm + Lifestyle Expo at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit this weekend promises to be a knowledge fest on all things rural.
The inaugural Expo, to be held on Saturday and Sunday 22 and 23 November, will feature over 100 exhibits and speakers from Landcare, the Bass Coast Shire, the farming community and Phillip Island Nature Park Reserve.
Landcare will speak both days on rural issues like soil salinity, native vegetation, control of vermin and sustainable farming practices; while the Bass Coast Shire Council will share news on planning and development, their vision for the area, growth initiatives and tourism.
The wildlife rangers from the Phillip Island Nature Park will address expo-goers on the interaction between farming communities and the reserves, and farming and wildlife; while Phillip Island farmer Ian McFee will speak on managing a small farm efficiently.
“We really want to ensure our visitors walk away well-armed and aware of the resources available in the local community,” said circuit managing director Fergus Cameron, whose family has farmed the region for three generations.
“There’s been a lot of changes in agricultural practices in the last decade and this expo is designed to bring the experts together so that over the two days our visitors get answers to their questions on rural life.”
All presentations will be held in the Motorsport Expo Building surrounded by more than 100 Expo exhibitors with many discussing animals to run on small properties like sheep, alpacas and poultry.
Many real life farmers feature in the speaker line-up, happy to recall with good humour and candidness how they made their dream of a rural lifestyle a reality, along with the ups and downs of the journey.
Grantville’s Phil Westwood from FreeRanger Eggs, will speak on successful poultry farming on small landholdings; while Anna Kilborn from ECube, who grazes cattle and sheep in the Strzelecki Ranges, runs a business advising clients on environmental practices and has plenty of advice to share.
“I have many funny stories about the rural lifestyle experience. I’m happy to tell you of my adventure, warts and all, and the lessons I’ve learnt along the way,” Anna said.
Exhibitors represent a wide range of agriculture. The Warragul Poultry Club stand will provide information on the various breeds of poultry, feeding and equipment for chooks, chook health, care of chooks and chickens and the role of chooks in sustainable agriculture.
“We’ll also have a petting zoo for the children,” says Kevin Collins from Warragul Poultry Club who will have a display of eight different chooks that can be patted and petted.
“We’ll have Daisy, our little white Australian Langshan, a hen and her baby chicks, a duck and her little ducklings and two of the only four Australian pure breeds of poultry.”
Grand Ridge Sheep Stud will provide information on sheep and Pakenham Produce has the latest on feed for animals.
There will also be exhibitions on the latest farm machinery, implements, power equipment and cutting edge farm technology. There will be a strong focus on organic and sustainable living products, with everything from worm farms to solar lights being featured.
On the lifestyle side, there will be exhibitors covering a range of leisure pursuits from water sports, and camping, to four wheel driving, health and tourism.
The Small Farm Expo will be housed in the 2000 square metre pavilion usually used for motorsport expos with external sites featuring agricultural animal displays. A dedicated rough terrain area will allow for quad bikes, gators, Ag bikes to be put through their paces and a working farm area will showcase the latest farm machinery, tractors, slashers and ride-on mowers.
Keen to master rural life? Take some advice from locals happy to share their experience at the Small Farm and Lifestyle Expo at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit, Saturday and Sunday 22 and 23 November from 9am- 5pm. Adults $10 entry at gate; and children 17 and under, and dogs – on a leash – admitted free.
For further information go to www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au
