Last year’s field days had to be cancelled due to flood damage from the April 21 ‘super’ storm but those dark days for the event were quickly forgotten when Friday dawned bright and sunny and the public ,young and old, flocked through the gates.
It was the first time in the history of the field days that the event was cancelled but Paterson Road sustained significant damage during the flood and it was considered safer to cancel the field days than risk further damage to the road.
Tocal Agricultural College hosts the field days and its grounds and buildings were packed with visitors on day one.
Tocal Field Day’s manager Wendy Franklin said the crowd on day one was more like the one organisers expected over the weekend.
“It was fantastic to see everyone here this year enjoying the field days once again – the perfect sunny day is a bonus,” she said.
“The numbers exceeded our expectations.”
Wendy puts the success of the event down to its sheer diversity.
We have something for everyone, its about showing and educating people about a range of topics that include backyards chickens, vegetable patches, weeds, plus great food and entertainment and plenty of stalls, she said.
“Kids in particular love Tocal field days and who can blame them,” she said.
Demonstrations on farm safety, livestock and horse handling and managing a small farm were on offer.
There was a billy boiling competition blowing out plenty of smoke and sometimes resulting in boiled water.
With a growing interest in the provenance of food and sustainable farming people were keen to talk to local growers about their products and seek advice on how they to can become food producers.
The field days continue over the weekend and the organisers are hoping today’s perfect weather continues.
