The view from the top was extraordinary! Behind me was the rabbit fence that marks the border between Queensland and New South Wales. Ahead was the orange orb of the sun easing into the distant mountains and below stretched Paul and Sue Graham’s lush 600 acre organic property. Their farm is a combination of green fields, small dams and wildlife corridors. The few of us standing at the top of the hill took particular interest in the oats sown so skilfully along the contour.

About 70 Food Connect subscribers visited Killarney for the Food Connect summer farm tour. We camped together on a long stretch of ground that opened up onto a shallow dam. This dam was a favourite of the small children around Sunday lunchtime as the day was heating up. The central area had a camp fire where the majority of the cooking for our meals took place. In true Food Connect fashion, the food itself was sublime. There were salads, cheese, bread, baked potatoes and various meats, including Paul’s lamb, beef and the best sausages I have tasted.

I realise that meat eating is not for everyone. However, if you choose to eat meat then you would be hard pressed to find cows that have lived better lives than the contented looking souls on the Graham farm. They spend much of their time wandering from paddock to paddock grazing on the lush grass. Early Sunday morning I went for a walk to take in the beauty of the farm. I was day dreaming about who knows what when I became aware I was being followed. I turned around to find eight cows following me in single file on the other side of the fence. They seemed indeed curious about this tall stranger disturbing the droplets of morning dew.

Later that morning some farmers from around the district descended to the farm to look around, meet each other and the city folk, and give a talk or two about farming. There were demonstrations of charcoal-making and shearing sheep. This was followed by enlightening talks about the importance of farming to enhance soil microbes with the flow on effect of healthier plants and, consequently, healthier humans. The day was finished with more tours of the farm, water slides and swimming for all who were game.

I would like to thank the Graham family and other Killarney locals for the considerable effort they put in to make the farm tour successful. Food Connect staff who contributed to the wonderful weekend, particularly Bridgett and Ian, should also be acknowledged for their hard work. Finally, I wish to extend a big thank you to everyone who came along on the weekend and contributed to the wonderful atmosphere.