Wynlen House Slow Food Farm, a micro farming enterprise in the village of Braidwood, has been selected to attend Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, Slow Food Conference in Turin, Italy this year as supported delegates. Helen and Bronwyn will join 34 other small producers from across Australia, as well as many more from all over the world, at Slow Food’s international flagship event.

“Terra Madre Salone del Gusto (which roughly translates as ‘Mother Earth Food Fair’) brings together producers, chefs, researchers, activists and consumers dedicated to ethical, sustainably-produced food that is great for you and helps build local communities and cultures. Terra Madre is held every two years, taking place this year from September 22 to 26. The conference showcases Slow Food principles and practices and how they are implemented nationally and regionally.  Now that Slow Food is a partner organization with Southern Harvest Association we hope that more local and regional producers, in response to the resurgent local food economy in SE Australia, will join the slow food movement and embrace the opportunity to   apply slow food principles and to learn from and share solutions with small producers across the world.

Bronwyn and Helen’s micro farm is a great example of Slow Food principles of good, clean and fair food put into practice.  It is a small organic four season, cool climate, farm selling produce (vegetables and meat) all year to consumers, and celebrating 10 years in operation this year. “It’s about caring where our food comes from; how and where it is grown; and how it is processed, prepared and shared.” We sell our produce through a market stall every Saturday morning on the main street of Braidwood, less the 500 meters from our farm. Food is picked and sold on the same day or within 24 hours.”  Bronwyn and Helen have a strong interest in (re)developing, organic, sustainable and local food systems using agricultural practices that have environmental, economic and social outcomes.  “Consuming food should be acknowledged and considered as part of the agricultural process.”  Wynlen House is reviving and is a continuing part of the age old tradition of growing food.

The 2016 theme Love the Earth and its call to action will be of particular interest to many small producers and those committed to Fair Food across our region, with its emphasis on organic growing principles, environmental sustainability and regeneration of the land in the service of local food.  “We are very excited to have this opportunity to share our learnings with the region on our return”. Visit the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto website and if you have issues you would like Helen and Bronwyn to raise at the conference don’t hesitate to email them on wynlenhouse@bigpond.com.

Those wanting to become members of our regional Slow Food Convivium should visit http://www.slowfood.com/joinus/membership/australia. Slow Food Canberra, Capital and Country Convivium is our nearest convivium and are an active group with events and a lively Facebook page.