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West Australian
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day: Fun for all ages as patrons celebrate theme ‘Sexy Soil: The Power Beneath'
The 18th Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day promises to be a great day out, with this year's theme 'Sexy Soil: The Power Beneath' set to highlight how important high-quality soil is for gardening and farming alike. Each year, the Perth Hills come alive with crowds who want to celebrate the best of small landholdings, country living, and farming, with the field day attracting people from the Perth CBD, Perth Hills and across the Wheatbelt. Among the attractions are gardening and livestock displays, various guest speaker presentations, a machinery section, a sheep dog display, woodturners demonstrations, the WA Alpaca Expo, and more. It is also home to WA's Honey Festival and Olive Festival, which are held at the event and on the same day as a way to boost visitor numbers to all three events. More than 6000 people flocked through the gates of last year's event, which was themed 'Toadstools, Mushrooms and Fungi'. This year, the attention is on what's beneath the ground surface. Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day chair Penny Morgan, who took the reins last year after being part of the event since it began in 2007, said this year's event would celebrate the importance of soil. 'Soil is where everything starts,' she said. 'For both gardening and farming, if you get the soil right, everything follows.' Ms Morgan said this year's event came at an interesting time, with an influx of 'tree changers' moving to the Perth Hills since COVID-19, more five-acre blocks opening up in the area and more locals trying their hand at gardening. 'Once again, our event will be family friendly, interactive, and have something for everyone of all ages, with lots of hands-on activities for the kids,' Ms Morgan said. 'The Field Day is a great way to share lots of local knowledge ... at a time when there is a lot happening in the Gidgegannup area.' There will be a range of roving entertainment on offer around the grounds, for children and adults alike. Children will be amused and educated by roving fairies and performances by the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. They can even make a worm farm to take home or pot up a seedling. In the livestock section, guests can see goat, poultry, llama, alpaca, sheep and cattle displays, and for the first time beautiful Babydoll sheep. A dedicated garden area — called Up the Garden Path — has about eight displays from nurseries and soil-focused businesses which aim to provide help and advice for those growing plants both indoors and outdoors. The cafe and entertainment centre has entertainment throughout the day, including puppetry, storytelling from the Freedom Fairies, and much more. Around the grounds will be the Mad Tatters dancing, singer Paul Davies, the Enchanted Stilt walkers and so much more, as well as a new Gardeners Dell over by the cafe and entertainment area. Tickets cost $15 for adults, with those aged 16 and under able to enter for free, and are available at the gate on the day or online by searching Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day on Humanitix. The Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day is on May 25. To read the official program, pick up a copy of the May 15 edition of Countryman.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Hear from Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day president Penny Morgan ahead of this year's event
On behalf of the Experience Gidgegannup committee, I am thrilled to welcome you to the 18th annual Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day. This year's theme — Sexy Soils: What Lies Beneath — highlights the importance of healthy soil for successful gardening and farming, with speakers and related products on hand. Attendees will enjoy a variety of regular attractions, including the Honey Festival, Slow Olive Festival and the Alpaca Expo, plus live music, horsemanship, dog work and children's hands-on activities focused on the theme. Watch the exciting equestrian events in the arena, marvel at sheep dogs in action, and see sheep being shorn. There will also be the latest machinery on display for your patch of country. Children will be amused and educated by roving fairies and performances by the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. They can even make a worm farm to take home or pot up a seedling. We are also expanding the popular Up the Garden Path garden section, offering plants for sale and local gardening advice. The event also features a hall with local food, wine and distillery businesses showcasing their products. Head here for a tasty treat or a bottle of local produce to take home and enjoy. This year we are very happy to welcome back many of our trusted previous exhibitors and also a big welcome to newcomers. Our thanks to our major sponsors Countryman newspaper, Mundaring Community Bank and City of Swan. We will also be having many activities for the younger visitors, all related to our rural environment — the Mundaring Community Bank Marquee Discovery Trail, the delightful Freedom Fairies, all entertaining and educating. We are very fortunate again this year to have events within our event. The Honey Festival not only provides tasty honey but so much information on the importance of these hardworking pollinators and information on beekeeping. The Olive Festival, run by the Swan Valley and Eastern Hills Slow Food group, joins us for the third year, with information on growing and using olives and olive oil. And, of course, the two-day Alpaca Expo with animal judging, information and alpaca products for sale. As always, we have a great line-up of speakers for every area. Check the times and venues in this program; whatever your interest, we can offer you cattle, sheep, goats, trees, poultry, bees, horticulture or food. This is a wonderful day out for the whole family — enjoy. The Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day is located at the Gidgegannup Showgrounds at 2171 Toodyay Road. Penny Morgan is the Gidgegannup Small Farm Field Day chairwoman
