Dairy Shorthorn included in the Australian Ark

On April 22, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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THE Ark of Taste is part of the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity and travels the world collecting small scale quality productions threatened by industrial agriculture, environmental degradation and homogenization. In Australia we now have 6 products that have been listed on The Ark of Taste, the recent addition is the Dairy Shorthorn.
It is a pleasure to acknowledge the hard work of Cherry Ripe, the Chair of the Ark in Australia, who continues to search out more products in Australia that are at risk of extinction.
To be included onto The Ark, products must have a distinctive quality in terms of taste, linked to the memory and identity of a group. The primary material of the foodstuff must be locally source. It must be linked environmentally, socio-economically and historically to a specific area. They must be produced in limited quantities and be threatened with either real or potential extinction.
The Dairy Shorthorn is the 6th addition to the Australian Ark of Taste. The Dairy Shorthorn is a worldwide critically endangered dual purpose breed of cattle, the origins of which can be traced back to 16th century Britain. They are the oldest pedigree registered breed in the world. They were one of the earliest British breeds of cattle introduced to Australia by early European settlers. Currently there are only approximately 200 registered pure bred pedigree breeding females.
For further information on Rare Breeds Trust of Australia.

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Victorian produce

On April 1, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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THE Field Guide to Victorian Produce, the Locavore edition has just been published. This guide connects growers to new markets and is full of genuine stories with a comprehensive list of the farmers, producers and their produce. There are 105 grower profiles, 179 producer profiles, 71 provider profiles, farm gates, farm stay and food trails in ten regions with illustrated maps. The lists follow the Victorian tourism regions and there are valuable maps and information on all the farmers markets in Victoria. This is the first of a series of annual state based produce guides and is entirely independent and editorially driven. As the Editor Ewan McEoin writes, ‘we plan to take one state at a time and to regain some of the balance that once existed between food production and consumption. For further information see their web site.

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Damaged apples and Cider

On March 29, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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ABC Bush Telegraph reports on the enterprise of cider maker Rich Coombes involving the Batlow Fruit Co-operative and the apple growers in the Batlow region near Wagga Wagga, NSW. Instead of the damaged fruit from the devastating storms late last year being left to rot or thrown out they have been used to make cider. Read further interview with Rich Coombes founder of the Batlow Brewing Company.
 The first orchards in Batlow were planted in 1855.

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Old varieties of Cider Apples in Australia

On March 22, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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WHEN Gary Watkins-Sully’s bought The Old Cheese Factory in Reisdale NSW and found some old varieties of cider apples on the property it resulted in a passionate drive to search out more old cider apple trees in the district.
He found nearby an old Cider Factory in ruins with old apple varieties still growing. This factory was established in 1850 and in use till 1925.
Watkins-Sully has recently released a traditional cider made from these apples called Wiltons Revival Cider.
David Pickering and Gary Watkins-Sully were interviewed on Bush Telegraph last Friday about the exciting discoveries. Read further
David Pickering, a technical officer of the Agricultural Department NSW who has studied orchards in France and England, presented his findings of the identity of 30 varieties of cider apples that have have been found in Australia. “With names like Antoinette, Belle Cauchoise, Blanchet, Clozette, French Crab, Frequin Rouge there is a good representation of French varieties for cider makers who want to explore French cider styles”
The two areas that cider apples have been found in are Tasmania and Braidwood NSW. Cider can be made from all apples but a good traditional cider needs apples that have a lot more tannin and acid.
The Old Cheese Factory is having an Heritage & Apple Cider Day in April 2012, read further

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2012 International Year of the Co-operatives

On March 3, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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IN recognition of the hope that co-operatives give to the world, 2012 has been designated as the International Year of the Co-operative by the United Nations. Ban Ki-moon UN Secretary General said “Co-operatives are a reminder to the international community that it is possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility.” Dame Pauline Green, International President of Co-operative Alliance visited Australia recently and said that throughout the world there were 327 million shareholder of companies but nearly one billion member-owners of co-operatives. Green spoke to the ABC reporter Michael Jenda about this world wide movement
It is interesting that there does not appear to be any food co-ops in Western Australia. More information about food co-ops in Australia is available here with a list of food co-ops with web sites at.
The following link explains how to set up a co-operative in Australia

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Bickley Harvest Festival

On February 22, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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DISCOVER the hidden Perth Hills, the 15th annual Bickley Carmel Harvest Festival will be held during the weekend of the 5th and 6th May. Situated approximately 35 minutes drive east of Perth in the Darling Ranges the beautiful Bickley and Carmel Valleys are a joy to discover. Visit participating producers such as Cosham Wines and Core Cider House and Highvale Biodynamic Orchard and take home fresh local produce. Further information here

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Taste Great Southern WA 2012

On February 20, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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TASTE Great Southern food festival was launched in Kings Park last Friday 17th February and this year will highlight 40 years of cool southern Rhine Rieslings and the Year of the Farmer. This festival will run for over a month. The program is included here.

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Spice man at Terra Madre

On February 17, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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MIRFAYZ Ubaydov is following in the footsteps of his ancestors who 600 years ago established a spice business in the city of Bukkara in Uzbeckistan. Quoted in an article in the journal HandEye a cultural magazine that writes about connecting cultures and inspiring action, ‘that the fine quality of his wares has attracted the attention of Terra Madre, where he has attended several times. Read more from Penny Pilkington’s article in HandEye. See The Spice Man’s web site in Bukkara.

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Global Gathering of Women Pastoralists

On February 16, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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THE Global gathering of Women Pastoralists was attended by over 160 women from 32 countries in India in November 2010. Regardless of what was being discuseed, they looked at the issue holistically, the inclusion of all genders, but still recognising the importance of the women’s perspective. At the end of the meeting a Declaration was formed presenting practical solutions to the issues that affect them. They are part of a world wide community of pastoralists peoples that is 300 million strong.
Michael Benanav, author and world renown photographer’s article can be read here .Further information about this meeting.

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Marmalade Ashes

On February 3, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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THE ABC’s Bush Telegraph reports in Food on Friday section about the National Australian Marmalade Ashes competition. The eleven winners in Australia will face the eleven British Marmalade Competition winners later this year. Read last years report on the inaugural event in the Guardian.
Further information can be found here about the World’s original marmalade award.

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