By MARG APPLEBEE
CENTRAL WEST LACHLAN LANDCARE
Crop Swap will be back at our March 2025 Homegrown Parkes event!
For many people swapping or giving away their produce without reimbursement takes a bit of getting used to, but we have found that it reinforces feelings of community building, sharing and learning.
Crop swapping is a great way for those who grow their own food to make sure nothing is going to waste. If you have an over-abundance of particular fruits or vegetables in the garden, preserves or homemade goods- they are all welcome!
Hannah Farrant-Jayet and Michael Chambers will be overseeing the Crop Swap Stall between 9am and 11apm in front of the Cooke Park Pavilion and they will be busy sharing the Crop Swap message.
You are welcome to show up on the day with produce, we will just require your name and contact details etc.
Do you grow too much basil, have too many seeds, or is your freezer not big enough for your end of season pesto?
Simply, Crop Swap it! Crop Swap builds the community, reduces food waste and helps people eat better, at a lesser cost.
Swap excess produce and fairly barter with like-minded people for fresh, local and delicious goods. It’s simple.
Our autumn event will be held on Saturday, March 29, so start planning your plantings ready for sharing.
Some suggestions for propagation are: Basil; Beans; Beetroot; Brussell Sprouts; Cabbage, Cauliflower; Chives; Celery; Chillies; Cucumber; Lettuce and Saland Greens; Parsley; Pumpkins; Radish; Corn; Spring Onions; Tomatoes and Zucchini.
Homegrown Parkes is an opportunity for local and regional businesses who are processing, repurposing, sewing, propagating or producing fabulous local products to share their skill and products with the community…..and hopefully swap for another item that someone else has grown.
I would encourage potential stallholders to submit an Expression of Interest early.
You can find the link to the registration via our facebook page or on our website.
We have already received over 20 EOI in the past week since applications opened.
Applications are reviewed by our Homegrown Parkes Committee to ensure that they fit with the ethos of the Homegrown Parkes event.
Demonstrations are being planned for the day as well. We appreciate the feedback from the community and are hoping to cover off on most topics in October, but leaving some still for a possible follow up event in 2024.
For further information on this article, please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, twitter, facebook or Instagram @cwllandcare