Farming tours get under way

Some of the committee members (from left) Norman Paterson, of Millers Flat, Alan Hore, of Beaumont Station, committee chairman Rod Pemberton, of Teviot, Jude Ormond, of Millers Flat, Pat Garden, of Teviot and Allan Ashworth, of Millers Flat. Photo: Yvonne
Some of the committee members (from left) Norman Paterson, of Millers Flat, Alan Hore, of Beaumont Station, committee chairman Rod Pemberton, of Teviot, Jude Ormond, of Millers Flat, Pat Garden, of Teviot and Allan Ashworth, of Millers Flat. Photo: Yvonne O'Hara

Millers Flat hosted the first of four groups of farmers visiting from overseas on Monday.

The group of about 40 dairy farmers from the United Kingdom visited Avenal Station and The Cow Farm, Ettrick. Pat Garden, who co-owns Avenal Station behind Millers Flat, said a group of Argentinians would visit on March 18, while a Canadian group would be there on February 19 next year.

A second group of British dairy farmers would visit on November 19 this year.

He said the groups would arrive about mid-morning, and visit Avenal Station, where they would have a picnic lunch after touring the property or have a barbecue lunch at the hall and look at other points of interest.

‘‘They would then visit The Cow Farm at Ettrick and and spend an hour or two there before they leave for Queenstown.’’

The Canadian visitors would spend the night at Millers Flat, and stay with residents.

The visitors would be treated to a pot luck dinner and be entertained with stories and songs.

Mr Garden and his wife Marcelle had completed several overseas farm tours including trips to South America, South Africa and China and knew the organiser, Ron McPhail, of CR McPhail Tours, well.

‘‘We had talked about the possibility of bringing overseas visitors to Millers Flat as part of the farm tours,’’ he said.

He said the Millers Flat community hosted overseas farming tours about 15 years ago, so they were aware of what was required to give the visitors a memorable experience.

yvonne.ohara@alliedpress.co.nz 

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