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Balingup Small Farm Field Day 2006

Saturday 29th April gates open 9.00am

Each year, an increasing number of people move from the city to the bush in search of a "tree change". With a lot of enthusiasm and hard work, empty paddocks are transformed into healthy foods - full of chooks, home grown veggies, fruit, berries, olives and often a range of small animals to be used as lawnmowers. In 2006 the Balingup Small Farm Field Day will be showing some great examples of these yards and small acres with a focus on Water - sourcing it, treating it and using it wisely. Learning, using and caring for the land in a healthy way is one aspect of this wonderful family day out.

But it's not all about education! Over 200 trade, animal, food and market stalls offer people from small farm/cottage industry with an opportunity to exhibit and sell a wide range of goods - including craft, home produce, woodwork, pottery... and lets not forget those chooks and other live stock! Other popular activities include demonstrations, farm visits, fashion parades and free live entertainment.

There is something for everyone at the Balingup Small Farm Field Day. There is a wide range of farm machinery and equipment, agricultural and nursery supplies, as well as animals on display, including goats, sheep, llamas and alpacas. While the kids get up close to the animals, you can talk to the owners about the benefits of keeping animals on a small holding.

The Field Day is held on the Balingup Town Oval, set amongst the brooks and rolling green hills of Balingup which is only 2.5 hours south of Perth and 1 hour south-east of Bunbury.

ENTERTAINMENT
A great variety of entertainment is on this year’s programme, at times to be announced on the day. These include:

• Table for Two trio – the Jamieson family performing traditional jazz with sweet melodies, smooth vocals, and soulful brass.
• Lost and Found trio - bluegrass-blues / country combination. Easy listening.
• Danae Cornford - young country-western guitarist / vocalist.
• Danielle Simich - young country-western singer with great potential.
• John Sawyer - a local favourite - singer / guitarist.
• Chad Pember - accomplished young guitarist / vocalist.
• Los Chasquis - a South American group bringing to you music from the Andes .
• Teddy Telltale - Denise Preston with entertainment for the younger children - performing in the fashion parade marquee.
• John O’B Biscuit – guitarist / vocalist, singing humorous songs. He also juggles – look out for him around the Grounds as well!

KIDS PHOTO COMPETITION
This popular competition will be held again this year. Take some photos of the Field Day using a disposable camera that we provide, and you could win a great prize!

FASHION PARADES
Using local models from Nicole ’s Modeling School in Donnybrook, the Fashion Parade is always popular and there are 3-4 parades on the day. Wearing a range of casual farm gear, through to dressy-go-anywhere clothing each parade ends with a finale of exquisite alpaca knitwear.

DEMONSTRATIONS
For details about the location/time of the activities shown below, ask at the Information Desk near the tennis courts.

• Greenwood turning on pole lathe – Matt Ingram of Bohemian Woodcraft will be making fine furniture.
• Farrier – local farrier, Arthur Collins will also be showing off his skills.
• Fence Building – “Irish Joe” from Cyclone Fencing/Richfeeds will show you how it’s done.
• Blacksmith - watchFlorio Da’Re working his big hand bellows.
• Balingup Patches and Craft – over 100 quilts and other hand-crafted items on display. Visit this group in the Balingup Town Hall (off Jayes Road - Morning and afternoon teas available)

AWARDS
A number of awards with monetary prizes are made each year as an incentive for exhibitors to maintain a quality showing of their wares and innovative ideas. These awards will be presented at 4:30pm on the entertainment stage.

• Best Stall for Presentation and Impact
• Most Original WA-made Craft on Display
• Best item of Gourmet Food using local ingredients
• Most Effective Information Display

FARM VISITS
Guided Small Farm and "Tree-change" Tours . Buses depart from the south-east corner of the Grounds at the times shown below. Tickets ($6.00 per person) are available at the departure point from 9:00 am (for morning visits) and 11:00 am . (for afternoon visits). All tours last approximately 1½ hrs. Please wear sturdy shoes.

Bossy Boots Farm - a Certified Organic Farm
An introduction to certified organic farming, including an explanation of the certification process and how to market your product.

Tours depart at 10:00 am and 12:00 noon

"Tree-Change" and Lifestyle Property Tours

"Big Acres" Tour
Tour four large holdings (each more than 100 acres) that demonstrate the wide range of farm and lifestyle activities - from shed living to luxury homesteads; sheep or cattle growing to furniture production.

Tours departs at 10:15 am and 12:15 pm

"Little Acres" Tour
A wide range of possibilities on smaller holdings (½ acre to 10 acres) will be shown. We will visit people living in sheds on their ½ acre blocks and also lifestyle blocks where the more energetic are producing their own olive oil and wine.

Tours depart at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm

TALKS ON WATER TOPICS
This year's field day will focus on “Water" - locating, capturing and testing of water; its storage, re-use, and alternatives to using water. A number of knowledgeable people will be delivering talks on various topics in the Speakers' Marquee located within the Tennis Court enclosure. Each talk will commence on the hour, beginning at 10:00 am. Topics to be covered include:

• Construction of gully-wall dams; siting, soil testing, sealing, and catchment improvements.
• Water law reform and natural resource management.
• Rainwater collection, bore water use, water quality and water testing. Guidance on the use of rainwater tanks.
• Water saving, approved grey-water systems, water treatment, water harvesting and re-use systems.

Contributors will include: WA Water Corporation, Tradelink Environmental Solutions; Balingup Plumbing & Gas, AgWest, Dept. of Environment (Water & Rivers Commission), Shire Environmental Officer and Landcare Coordinator.

In addition, many of our trade and market stall-holders will be featuring plants, products and equipment that relate to the sensible and sustainable use of water.

Have your own water tested for quality
Bring a sample of your spring, dam or tank water to the Ribbons of Blue booth adjacent to the Speakers' Marquee. Test results will be available later the same day.

SHEEP DOG TRIALS
In association with the WA Working Sheep Dog Association, the Balingup Primary School will be hosting Yard Dog Trials on the School Grounds. Just a short walk from the Sports Oval through our picturesque town to the Nannup road turn-off. Refreshments and games for the children.

Please note:
For locations of Activities, ask at any of the Gates or at the Information Desk (near the Tennis Courts).

Admission: Adults $5 Children $2 Family (2 Adults + 3 Children) $12

Profits from the Balingup Small Farm Field Day help finance Community Projects identified by the Balingup Progress Association, Inc. as being worthy of support.

No Dogs or Bikes Please!

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Contact Hayley Peak if you are interested in featuring your event on MySouthWest

Email: hayley@mysouthwest.com.au
Phone: 9722 3888