THE Harrison family at Ladybrook Farm are hosting Australia’s first agricultural sporting challenge – the inaugural Agrilympics.
The event is the brainchild of Matt Harrison, who said he was keen to create an event that would be fun for both adults and children visiting the farm for Eat Local Week.
“We wanted to do something a bit different during Eat Local so I did some research to see what people are doing internationally and chose activities that were the safest and most fun,” he said.
“So we will be having hay bale rolling, which will involve rolling a bale of hay around a 50 metre course,” he said.
“We will have smaller bales for the children.
“The hay bale toss, which is a bit like a cross between shot-put and discus, throwing a small bale of hay to see who can toss it the furthest.
“That will be one bale for the kids and three bales tied together for the grown-ups.”
Mr Harrison said whip cracking would be a popular feature of the event.
“We will have a paper straw hanging from a hook and the first person to snap it will be the winner,” he said.
“We hope to get a few extra teams from the public to participate in the adults group and we have had lots of interest in the kids’ events already.”
Mr Harrison said people who preferred to watch rather than join in would be treated to a demonstration and competition between teams from Snap Fitness in Beaudesert and BYP 24/7 Jimboomba.
“The Agrilympics are part of an all-day Eat Local event starting at 10am on June 30 and the competition will kick off soon after lunch,” he said.
Ladybrook Farm is located on Kerry Road at Darlington, 20 minutes south of Beaudesert and Mr Harrison said the family was looking forward to opening the gates for Eat Local Week.
“We are a seven generation farming family operating an award-winning beef, lamb and pork grazing property and Australian stock horse stud,” he said.
“Our event also includes Australian beef cattle and stock horse information sessions and a farm tour.
“Special Guests include Philip Thompson and one of the few remaining Australian Bullock Teams, and the All Breeds Dog Tracking Club.”
Mr Harrison said there would be plenty of food and drink available on the day, from $5 kids’ hot dogs to a $45 fully catered 2-course lunch service using the farm’s own beef and pork with a selection of sides made with local produce.
’We will also have a farmer’s market where we will be selling meat direct to the public,” he said.
There is no charge for competing in the Agrilympics but a gate fee of $15 per car applies.