farmdoc's blog post number 348

Last Saturday morning, a perfect Melbourne autumn morning – still, cool, grey and slightly misty – Sweetheart Vivienne drove me to Abbotsford Convent where we helped darling Brendon on his Daylesford Organics stall at the Slow Food Farmers’ Market. For sale were beans, carrots, squash, beetroot, eggs, and blackberry jam. It all looked exquisite – both to me, and several people with cameras – and so it was unsurprising the customers rushed it. Some were clearly regulars. But whether they were or not, they were excited, talkative, curious, good-natured, and above all appreciative. It was a joy to behold. I felt privileged to be there and witness it. And I was so proud of Brendon whose farming, marketing and product knowledge and skill were evident in all I saw. His long hours of hard physical work and frequent frustrations must seem worthwhile when he comes to a market loaded with produce and leaves with only a few jars of jam. Last 29 November I wrote that one of my favourite films is Field of Dreams in which one of the best lines is ‘If you build it, they will come’. And to the Daylesford Organics stall last Saturday morning the customers sure came. Darling Kate and Brendon’s field of dreams is a fertile reality. All credit to them.