Trentham potato farmers have expressed concern for a loss of family history and community identity as they face hard times and an uncertain future in the industry.
Third generation potato farmer Bernie White said he was concerned for the future of potato farming in Trentham.
“Potato farming will come to a finish in the area because of the all the imported potatoes coming into Australia,” he said.
“When I cam to Trentham 48 years ago there were probably 40 growers in the district, now there is probably only five or six left. That decline has cost many many jobs on farms and in businesses.”
As a third-generation potato farmer with 48 years of history on the farm himself, potato farming is a part of Bernie’s family history.
Bernie said he had witnessed the loss of family history in the Trentham community as most farms on his road have stopped operations.
“The only way we could fix the decline now is to stop the import of potatoes,” he said.
Local potato farmer John Dunn said it was difficult for small growers to compete with large companies.
“There’s not too much future in spuds here,” he said.
“I suppose it disappoints me, but that is the way it is. We can’t compete with bigger companies.
Trentham potato farmer George Wicker said there were multiple factors at work in the decline of local potato farms.
“Unless you are in a big operation, it is just not worth the effort, the time and the machinery. It used to be family operations and the problem is there is hardly anyone left to do it,” he said.
“But I do believe in the future. The good soil we have got is not being utilised. I think good fresh potatoes will be in short supply.
George said passing farms down through the family is one of the only ways small local potato farms can continue into the future.
“The cost of paying labour now and all the occupational health and safety and insurance makes it very hard to employ someone on the farm,” he said.
“Potato farming is important for family history and it’s part of community history too. Part of why Trentham is changing so much is that we are losing part of that family history in the community.
“It is sad, I feel sad about the decline of farms. But if we can promote fresh potatoes more and encourage people to buy fresh potatoes I think small farms will continue.”
Potato’s impact on Trentham celebrated
A WHOLE village concept has made the Great Trentham Spudfest boom.
On Saturday, Spudfest fun spilled out from Quarry Reserve into events, stalls, markets and live music along Market and High streets for the first time in the festival’s 10-year history in a bid to bring the whole town to life.
It is a return to what many Trentham locals say Spudfest was about in the first place – showing off the town and fostering community pride.
High Street trader Michelle Bergelsohn said the move had made a massive difference, boosting business, with festival-goers now taking a time to explore Trentham shopfronts amid Spudfest fun.
“We used to watch 5000 people walk past our shops in the morning and 5000 people walk past at the end of the day but this is a huge difference,” Ms Bergelsohn said.
“The whole town is included in the festival this year and it helps expose what we do, hopefully encouraging people to want to come back.
“...This is what Spudfest should be for the town. I’m absolutely thrilled.”