Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was a pleasure recently to have my colleague the member for Cowper, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, join me to tour a number of farms in my electorate. The minister and I are adamant that agriculture is one of the key pillars of our nation's economy. Agriculture brings billions of dollars into rural communities like those in Capricornia every year. Australia has led the way in innovative farming and cropping techniques, revolutionising the way farming is done worldwide.

The minister and I visited Freckle Farm, which has been run by Rob Bauman and Deb McLucas since 2008. They have put an enormous effort into rehabilitating the land, taking what was a depleted cane farm and developing a sustainable, productive grazing enterprise. Both Deb and Rob are passionate, holistic farmers, utilising grazing techniques that replenish the land as they grow their product. Deb and Rob have built up a fantastic business at Freckle Farm, selling free-range eggs, pork and beef to local restaurants throughout the region and at the Greater Whitsunday Farmers Market. Deb and Rob also host school groups throughout the year to educate children on the importance of healthy, nutritious, tasty food and explain their pasture based, chemical-free, natural farming principles. I would like to thank the team at Freckle Farm for their hospitality and wish them all the best for their future in the Pioneer Valley.