A century-old one kilogram bag of rare Hawkesbury maize has turned into a bumper crop that will replenish Henry Double Day Research Association (HDDRA) seedbank and fuel Western Sydney University's (WSU) student research.
The successful trial plot grown at the Greater Sydney Local Land Services (GS LLS) Demonstration Farm in the Richmond Lowlands, was harvested with an estimated 100kg of seed collected.
The project is a collaboration between GS LLS, WSU, the HDDRA and Hawkesbury Harvest and Farmgate Trails (HHFT).
GS LLS farm manager Peter Conasch said the success of the trial crop went beyond expectations.
"What we've harvested from a tiny bag of seedlings is truly remarkable," he said. "It's a great result for sure, and our project partners, given the historical significance of this particular maize variety, which was developed by some of the Hawkesbury's pioneer farmers."
WSU's manager, sustainable futures Jen Dollin said the seed would allow for further student projects including exploring the nutritional profile of the heirloom vegetable and research into the provenance and genetic profile. "We see valuable potential for continuing this collaboration link this to our teaching programs" she said.
HHFT chief executive Ian Knowd said the network would like to see a re-emergence of heritage/heirloom vegetables in the Hawkesbury region.
"This enables our local farmers to explore new commercial opportunities that could occur as a result," Dr Knowd said.
Mr Conasch said he hoped the success of the partnership would inspire further trials on heirloom crops.
"Collaborations like this one, which not only support real research into local agriculture and its proud history in this Sydney basin, but also give local growers tangible insight into productive and sustainable farming practices, is exactly what our Demonstration Farm is all about," he said. "The site of our farm is rich in history, having belonged to Hawkesbury Agricultural College after the college was administered a section of Crown land from the NSW Department of Mines and Agriculture between 1891 and 1908. It's a real privilege to play a part in keep this history alive."
