Celebration of food gardening hits West Gippsland

A celebration of food gardening and creativity will run across West Gippsland on Saturday, January 22 and Sunday, January 23.

Creative Harvest, running for its fifth consecutive year, will showcase 15 private food gardens hosting 30 artists and creatives.

Having attracted a record number of 650 plus visitors last year, organisers say it was a watershed event as COVID lockdowns acted only to swell interest.  The event attracted both metropolitan and regional Victorians keen to explore earth-friendly ways to grow their own food and connect back into the community amid a global pandemic heightening the urge for self-sufficient food security.

“We realised that people were hungry for an event like ours,” Creative Harvest committee chair Wendy Savage said.  “It was the catalyst to take our event to the next level to demonstrate how very possible it is to create a thriving food garden – from a small backyard to a large lifestyle block.”

The 2022 event will showcase 15 private food-producing and edible gardens in the local towns of Neerim South, Jindivick, Buln Buln, Drouin, Warragul, Yarragon, Yarragon South, Childers and Moe South.

These gardens of all sizes will offer visitors inspiration and tips for their own veggie patch.

In addition, over 30 artists and creatives will be hosted in the gardens in a celebration of all things great about food gardening and making art, in all its intriguing forms.

Ranging from beekeepers to winemakers, jam makers, jewellers, mosaic makers, painters, printmakers and sculptors, Creative Harvest aims to offer something for all ages to explore, learn and enjoy a great weekend out exploring West Gippsland.

“Making our event more accessible to broader communities is a celebration of connectedness and creativity in all forms,” Wendy added.  “It is fundamental to our wellbeing, especially in these uncertain times, and it is wonderful to see how a day out in the garden can inspire and create positive change.”

The gardens will open to the public from 10am to 4pm over both days.

Tickets to the outdoor event are $33 for an adult weekend pass, $28 for a senior weekend pass and $60 for a family weekend pass.  Alternatively, entry to one garden is $8 per person.  Entry is free for children aged 17 and under.

Creative Harvest is an annual event of the Baw Baw Sustainability Network launched in 2018. 

For further information about gardens and creatives participating in 2022 or to purchase tickets, visit creativeharvest.org.au.