Stock up at inaugural Moreton Bay Farm Trail

Producers, growers and farmers from across the city will open their gates and welcome visitors with open arms next month as part of the inaugural Moreton Bay Farm Trail.

Held on the third weekend in March, the two-day celebration will provide locals and visitors the opportunity to explore the farms, learn more about regenerative farming, take part in interactive activities, taste and purchase a wide array of fresh produce, and cut their own flowers.

Susanne Engelhard, who was instrumental in getting the Farm Trail established, is urging people to mark the dates in their diaries now.

“The Moreton Bay Farm Trail is a must-do experience for those who are passionate about supporting local farmers and sourcing their produce locally - it is a weekend not to be missed,” Susanne says.

“The tagline for this year’s event is ‘for the love of food and flowers’, which sums up perfectly what the first trail is all about.

“Over the two days you will be able to explore the abundant market garden produce direct from the farm gate, taste and try culinary herbs, and fill a bucket with lots of beautiful flowers to take home with you.

“This will be a low-cost ticketed event that will help get more families out to the farms so they can learn more about where their food comes from and support the farmers directly.

“I am really excited about the first Moreton Bay Farm Trail, and I hope it will continue to grow.”

At least a dozen farms have already come on board for the Farm Trail, with more to come.

These include Curley Ridge Flower Farm, Basilea Living Herbs, Leesa’s Little Farm, The Regenerative Training Centre, Red Fox Orchids, Five x Five Experiment, Blue Dog Farm, Plot 4504, Mini Farm Project, Farmerly, Arakai Estate and Green Thumb Farm.

To see what’s on offer as part of this year’s trail, click through the gallery below.

Trail a boost for tourism

The Moreton Bay Farm Trail is hosted by Growing Made Simple in partnership with FAN (Food and Agribusiness Network) and the City of Moreton Bay.

Jackie Hinchey, who is the Moreton Bay Co-Ordinator of FAN, says the Farm Trail is a great way to boost tourism and highlight the many farmers who call this region home.

“FAN is thrilled to support Susanne to deliver the first Moreton Bay Farm Trail - an exciting event that dovetails into the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) funded food and agritourism project that we ran in 2023,” Jackie says.

“The initiative provided enlightenment and education on meeting the growing demand for authentic on-farm experiences.

“Susanne really understands how to reconnect people with their earthly roots, and the Moreton Bay Farm Trail weekend is sure to give us an experience that feeds that need to know our farmers and know our food.

“With its green rolling hills, country roads and unique country towns, the Moreton Bay hinterland is heavenly - and now we can look behind the farm gates and meet the people who live there.

“Who knows, it may even inspire some to move to the land!”

Details

The Moreton Bay Farm Trail will be held on March 16-17, with entry to the farms being from 9am-3pm.

Throughout the weekend you will be able to visit the farms of your choice at your preferred time during that period.

Tickets are available online, with early bird prices now available.

Tickets will help organisers know how many people are taking part, and how much stock the farmers will need over the course of the weekend.

Visitors will be encouraged to make an order directly with the farm before the trail.

Ticket holders will also receive exclusive farm trail offers including pre-orders, accommodation offers and giveaways.

In the week prior to the Farm Trail, you will be emailed a map with information about each farm including tips for what you can do, buy and experience.

Click here to book.

For more information, visit the Moreton Bay Farm Trail website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.