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GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - "What I could say!? Thank you! Really! This was a wonderful, wonderful trip. We have finally discovered why the Karoo is so important to you! Francesco and I will be proud ambassadors of the Karoo!"
These are the words of Slow food International's head of Africa operations, Emanuele Dughera, who travelled to the Graaff Reinet district on a 3-day whistle stop tour, as part of their South African field trip from Slow Food Headquarters in Bra Italy.
Dughera was accompanied by the newly appointed head of Slow Food Italy, Francesco Sottile and Brian Dick, outgoing chairman of SFSA, on the invitation of Slow Food Karoo and a number of local farmers.
The trio was introduced to a number of notable farmers from the district by Gordon and Rose Wright, the well-known Graaff-Reinet couple and avid Karoo ambassadors.
“In all, four farms from different parts of the district were visited, in order to showcase the biodiversity and different farming practices of the region,” said Gordon. “It was important to show our visitors how lucky we are in the Karoo to have such a range of diversity right on our doorstep.”
The visit kicked off with a night on the stately Bloemhof farm of Julian Murray and his lovely partner Miranda Gouveia. Julian’s Nguni Cattle and holistic veld management practices impressed the visitors almost as much as Miranda’s classic Karoo lamb dinner.
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Next stop was Roodebloem farm, home to Tim and Liza Murray and their unique pickled Agave buds and fledgeling water buffalo milking herd.
Grassdale’s award winning Normandy Dohne stud under the watchful eye of Jean De La Harpe, was next on the schedule, where Karoo sheep farming and stud breeding was explored at length, a relaxed evening braai rounded off a busy day.
Meeting the water buffalo with Tim Murray on his farm Bloemhof.
After a visit to The Muller House restaurant in Graaff-Reinet to bestow the world’s first Slow Food Chef’s Alliance accreditation on the local eatery, it was off to Wheatlands farm and hosts Dave and Kirsten Short (and their charming daughters Ami and Emma) for an insight into ethical Mohair farming practices.
This being their last evening, Calitzdorp Winemaker, Mike Neebe of Axe Hill winery paid a surprise visit to showcase some of his Klein Karoo wines over a delectable dinner of Karoo delicacies prepared by Kirsten and her team at the famous Wheatlands Country house.
On returning to Italy, Dughera penned the following letter to his colleagues (direct translation from Italian)
"…I have been in that fabulous country more than once but, I have never been in the region of the Karoo, right in the middle of the country. Well, I have just finished a 3-day trip in that wonderful area which is led by the total respect for the environment and the animals, and an incredible hospitality, if you add to this the unique and wonderful landscape and the brand new launched chef alliance, I suggest you consider to add the Karoo in your agenda."
A direct spin off is that a number of farmers have been invited to Italy in September to represent the Karoo at the International Terra Madre, Salone del Gusto in Turin.
Viewing the shearing shed at Hweatlands. David Short showing everyone how it's done. After David is Brian Sick (Slow Food Johannesburg), the Gordon Wright, Emanuele Dughera, Francesco Sottile and Mike Neebe from Axe Hill Wines in the Calitzdorp region.
Rose Wright, co-coordinator for the trip says, "Fundraising for this event is in progress as it is imperative that Karoo farmers have a voice at this, the largest food fair. As producers of some of the world’s finest products, it is imperative that we have the people involved in their very production at the coal face to represent their interests. The Karoo Slow food convivium is determined to raise the required funds to ensure that at least two Karoo farmers attend any assistance will be welcome, no matter how small."
Should you wish to assist the Karoo convivium, please email her on rose@tasteofthekaroo.co.za.
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