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On Friday 24th February a group of four students from Summerland visited Mountain Blue Farms in Wollongbar.

The aim of this trip was to learn about local farming and what it means to be a Primary Industry.

Mountain Blue Farms is a family owned and operated company, established in 1978 by Ridley Bell, that produce the highest quality blueberry fruit and genetics, along with an extensive nursery and marketing service. We aim to provide domestic and international customers with a consistent supply of quality products through a network of growers (http://www.mountainblue.com.au).

The students were given a personalized tour by one of the farms many experienced workers and were given the opportunity to see first hand the amount of work that goes into growing blueberries.

“I have a new appreciation for blueberries” said one of the students after becoming educated on the many processes involved in cultivating this little blue fruit.

As we left we were given a sample of the farms fresh blueberries as well as some dried berries. Georgina Upton, Mr. Bell’s step- daughter has started her own company, Raw Paddock.
“There isn’t really anyone else in Australia that is drying and selling Australian grown blueberries. Yes, you can buy dried blueberries at the supermarket but they are most likely grown in America”. Dried blueberries contain the same antioxidants as fresh and even frozen blueberries.

Upon arriving back at school we hit the kitchen and baked some blueberry muffins with locally sourced and locally grown blueberries. See below for the recipe!

They were berry… berry… delicious.

 

Try these at home!

Donna Hay’s Too Easy Blueberry Muffins

Makes 12

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups self raising flour
1 cup caster sugar
1 tsp baking powder
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup milk
1 egg
1tsp vanilla extract
300g blueberries
Granulated sugar or raw sugar, for garnish

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a 12 hole deep muffin tray with paper cases.

2. Mix the flour, sugar and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.

3. Make a hole in the middle and add the oil, milk, beaten eggs and vanilla extract.

4. With a large spoon or spatula, fold the ingredients together until just combined.

5. Add the blueberries to the mixture and fold through.

6. Spoon the mixture evenly between the cases, filling each to the top.

7. Sprinkle a little sugar on top of each then place the tray in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the tops of the muffins turn golden.

 

~ This tasty story was contributed by Nick Weeks, Secondary Learning Support Assistant.

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