See the Mullumbimby Farmers Markets.
As the month of organic awareness has come to a close, it is a lovely opportunity to celebrate and reflect on some of the work that happens behind the scenes at our farmers’ market and why everyone talks about the ‘Mullum vibe’.
As many of you might not know, our markets were set up by our local community and farmers, to enable our local farmers to make a living and sell locally grown fresh, nutritious produce at affordable prices. Of the farmers that attend our market, an increasing number, currently over 40% of them, are now certified organic. Some of those farmers are part of the team running our markets and play leadership roles in the organic farming movement.
David Forrest, from Forrest Organic, is a pioneer and farmer/educator in organic farming. He is also the current president behind TROPO and advisor to the committee that runs the Mullum Farmers Market. Sue Mangan is the secretary, writer and producer of the Tropo magazine and current president of our markets. Rod Bruin, from Summit Organics, has been the president of TROPO and president of Mullum’s markets for seven years and remains an ordinary member of the committee.
TROPO stands for Tweed, Richmond, Organic Producers and is a grassroots organisation set up in the late 1980s to encourage the development of organic farming in the Northern Rivers.
Members include everything from certified organic farmers to backyard gardeners and conventional farmers working toward conversion. They are committed to supporting healthy, locally grown organic food production. They run a number of regular activities that include meetings, workshops and field days that cover practical organic farming techniques and tips, as well as the wider issue of sustainable agriculture.
Education is a focus – they produce a biannual magazine with a wealth of knowledge, including planting guides. They open up their farms for farm walks four times a year. These walks are an excellent opportunity to see the developments happening on organic farms and the constant adaptation required by climate change. They are used by the farmers as a great opportunity to share knowledge and answer any questions. The day usually ends with a delicious organic feast, all of which is offered to you for a really minimal donation.
It’s truly inspiring to witness the commitment of these hard-working farmers and the educational role they play within the organic farming movement. Their generosity, kindness and inclusivity filter from the top down and make up some of those ingredients that create that ‘Mullum vibe’.
Mullum Farmers Market is every Friday from 7am till 11am. Sign up here for their monthly newsletter: https://mullumfarmersmarket.org.au/
To join the TROPO mailing list, register here: https://www.tropo.org.au.
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