It’s a tasty way to support Hunter farmers – and enjoy a juicy ingredient.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A heap of organically grown limes, from a backyard in East Maitland, have generously been donated to the Buy A Bale Hunter campaign.
Slow Food Hunter Valley’s Liz Griffiths will be selling the fruit at the Slow Food Earth Market on March 15 from 2pm.
All money raised will be put towards buying hay, water and groceries for Hunter farming families.
Ms Griffiths sold some of them at the Taste Festival in The Levee last weekend and has already raised $80 towards the cause.
This is one of several fundraisers happening across the region to support our farmers.
While recent rain has helped improve conditions in some areas, many parts of the Hunter are still enduring awful conditions.
The veil of green in some areas, especially around Maitland, may make it seem like life on the land is returning to sense or normality.
But that is not the case. These areas are battling a green drought where pasture growth is rapid, full of moisture and very low in energy.
Animals cannot survive on food with low energy. Hunter Local Land Services district vet Digby Rayward said cattle lost more weight – and energy – chasing a green pick than they do when there was no grass.
He has made it clear that Hunter farm animals, and their owners, still need help.
We’re in a green drought – we’ve got short shoots of grass coming up with a high moisture content and low energy content so the cattle end up using more energy than they are getting out of the pastures,
- Hunter Local Land Services district vet Digby Rayward.
“We are not out of the woods by a long way.
“In any drought the animal’s energy is the key component of the diet – if they aren’t getting enough they will start to lose their own body fat and waste muscle. There’s not enough bulk in what’s available right now.”
The earth market will feature its usual mix of fruit and vegetables, meat and bakery goods in The Levee from 2pm.
Shoppers can also buy dinner at the market. A takeaway container of Lentil and vegetable curry, with turmeric rice, will be sold for $12. It is Gluten Free and vegan.