The University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay will open the new UQ-based Farmers’ Markets on Saturday, October 19.
Professor Hay said the markets would further the University’s links with Brisbane’s culturally diverse community.
“Holding these markets at The University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus adds an exciting new dimension to the University’s wide-ranging community involvements,” he said.
As well as selling fresh farm produce the St Lucia campus markets will give the community an insight into some of the University research projects that are going on in a range of study areas.
“The University, as one of the most significant social, cultural and intellectual communities in Brisbane, will be an excellent venue for expanding these popular open-air monthly markets to Brisbane’s western suburbs,” Professor Hay said.
Unlike other markets, the Farmers’ Markets will provide an opportunity to educate the public about products through a series of presentations.
These presentations will provide a wide range of information, covering everything from how to cook asparagus to breeding pheasants.
“Our students and staff will contribute with innovative presentations based on teaching and research in the agricultural, horticultural and food technology sciences; and the visiting crowds and variety of gourmet produce will complement our own multi-cultural environment and enhance the diversity of community life on campus at weekends,” Professor Hay said.
Presentations at the first Farmers’ Markets will include a weed science display by Sally Dibben from the School of Land and Food Sciences and a new crops display by Brett Reisenlietter.
The University has worked with Jan Power, the organiser of the Farmers’ Markets in Brisbane, to provide a venue for producers to sell homegrown products and to educate consumers about the production and presentation of food.
For more information, contact The Farmers Markets (telephone 043 9999 009 or 0417 720 943) or UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 3367, email: communications@uq.edu.au).
