B-D Farm Paris Creek (Certified Organic/BioDynamic Dairy Farm)

On Sunday June 30th, 1030am-3pm

The day got off to a great start when it rained everywhere BUT Paris Creek!  This part of the hills is a magnet for rain but today it was bathed in sunshine as arriving visitors regaled with stories of torrential downpours on their journey to BD Farms.

Visitors were greeted on arrival and gathered at the shed across from the factory. The amount of work Ulli and Helmut Spranz, along with their family and staff had put into arranging and organising for the event was significant.  A working farm shed was transformed into a cosy and welcoming meeting area for the enthusiastic visitors.

It wasn’t long before aromas began drifting from the factory where Simon Bryant, champion of great SA produce was cooking up a storm.  Simon and his crew had spent the last two days preparing for the field day and had arrived at the factory well before any decent hour for a Sunday.

Once the large crowd, over 120 settled, (Bookings were capped at 100 and sold out in 2 weeks),  Monika Fiebig, chair of OBDA opened proceedings, outlining the events of the day and introduced Ulli as our main speaker.  Ulli spoke extensively, covering topics of the formation of BD Farms, their belief in the attributes and benefits of farming under a Bio-Dynamic system, benefits extending not only to consumers of the BD Farms products but the cows and importantly the soils and water on which the cows live.

Tony Barich, along with Pam owns Whistling Kite Vineyards in the Riverland between Loxton and Moorook.  They set up a display of wines from the vineyard established in 1976 under Bio-Dynamic principles. The vineyard is a showcase of how the pursuit of agriculture can be in harmony with the environment.  A montage of photographs on their website illustrates how fauna such as kangaroos and assorted birdlife have made the property their home and easily co-exist with the vineyard.

Lunch was served and people were treated to a sumptuous feast featuring only organic and Bio-Dynamic produce, in season and in the main, grown in SA.  As visitors were dining out, Ulli continued with tours of the factory, showing off the marvellous facilities where the BD Farms products are made. The factory is an impressive sight of stainless steel and function and the attention to detail for hygiene, though a must in this industry is nonetheless impressive.

The afternoon was spent in a more casual atmosphere of general conversation, Ulli spoke to small groups more informally about the different BD preparations and how they are applied.  Visitors continued to enjoy the wine, beer and cheese available in the shed.

All the while, the children were entertained and stimulated by the surrounds of the farm and the animals on hand to touch and hold.  The Spranz children were wonderful company and shepherds for the children visiting the farm and earned a big thankyou from the OBDA organising committee for all their help.

Lastly, we wish to acknowledge the work of the Spranz’s and Simon Bryant, along with his crew.  OBDA is deeply indebted to these people who are passionate about what we eat and how it is produced.  Their enthusiasm for this event and the generous and free offering of their time and resources is inspiring.

Thankyou to all who helped in making the day a cracker event and to those visited and enjoyed the best our fraternity has to offer.  As an organisation we will continue to demonstrate that food, as presented at the field day is the key to the health and wellbeing of our society.

Report by Paul Cooper -OBDA committee Public Officer