Tassie trek to support sustainable farmers
7/3/2017
Ten walkers will trek for a week down the East Coast of Tasmania to support and raise awareness for sustainable farming practices. The Trek for Aussie Farmers is also a tasting tour of local produce and will take in some of Tasmania's most stunning countryside.
Farmer Charlie Arnott will be hosting the trek on behalf of Landcare, walking from Launceston to Port Arthur where it will finish on March 3.
“It’s combining the environment but also the food and also, as important, the stories that the farmers have. We're there to educate ourselves and raise our own awareness of those particular farms and Tasmanian agriculture generally.”
“It’s sort of a two pronged campaign; the trekkers as individuals are raising money which then goes to Landcare Australia and is then made available to farmers who have sustainable farming practices or projects,” Mr Arnott said.
“Then the other half is the awareness raising … we’re raising our own awareness by being on the trek but also raising awareness of others about where their food is from, paddock to plate and reconnecting with their food and their farmers.”
“I’d encourage them to be more curious about what they're putting in their mouths and their bodies and their families bodies.
“I think that knowledge is power and the more knowledge that people have, individuals have, and the more they understand about their food the more they can have a direct input into the production of that food.”
Farmers are facing new challenges with a changing climate driving floods, droughts and fires. Mr Arnott believes sustainable farming offers farmers a positive future.
“So many things in our businesses we are not in control of, we are in control of how we adapt to those changes and our responses to that,” Mr Arnott said.
“A move towards sustainable farming practices not just produces amazing, healthy, clean food, it also moves farmers towards a more sustainable and resilient environment or business.”
As the leader of the trek, Mr Arnott brings his own experience and knowledge as a biodynamic farmer to contribute to the experience.
It is hoped the Trek for Aussie Farmers will raise $30,000 and each trekker is tasked with raising $1000 or more. To donate to the campaign to support sustainable farmers go to https://tasmaniantrekchallenge.raisely.com/
This article originally appeared in The Examiner
