By KATH GANNAWAY
AFTER 60 years, the not so humble Brussels sprout is about to get the recognition it deserves.
The Adams sprout farms in Coldstream, just past Dame Nelly Melba’s Coombe Cottage, make for a real slice of rural life as visitors make their way up the Melba and Maroondah highways to Yarra Glen and Healesville.
The inaugural Big Sprout Fest on Sunday, 12 April, will celebrate the Adams family’s pioneering contribution to Australia’s sprout production with the unveiling of a ‘Big Sprout’.
Made of fibreglass, and inspired by a Big Strawberry at Cobram, the exact size and form of the Big Sprout is a secret, but, essentially, it will represent the 1200 tonnes of sprouts that are hand-picked annually on the farms.
Bruce Adams is at the helm of the family business which was started by his father, Arthur, and his uncles, David, Charles and Raymond, the only surviving brother.
The brothers started growing cabbages on the land about 60 years ago and, looking for a challenge, decided to break into the sprout market.
At one point the Adams farms laid claim to the title of the largest sprout producers in the Southern Hemisphere.
Bruce’s daughter, Narelle, one of the organisers of the festival, says they are still in contention with the title between their farms and a similar operation in Adelaide.
Narelle says the family is looking forward to the festival which will showcase the sprout with cooking demonstrations and tastings, market stalls, tractor rides and farm tours, children’s activities, hot air balloon rides and the reveal of The Big Sprout.
The festival is at Adams Farms, 681 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream from 10am to 3pm with the big reveal at about 1pm.
Car parking is $2 with proceeds to the Coldstream CFA.
