Discover all things Rosella at Petersen’s Farm’s annual Rosella Field Day!
Since 2016, Petersen’s Farm has welcomed visitors to enjoy the annual Big Rosella Field Day, sharing their love of farming and cooking, as well as bringing awareness of what Rosellas are about – where they come from, what to do with them, how to grow, and everything in between.
Rosella Field Day is an annual event that celebrates the harvest of rosella fruit and promotes the love of farming. The event attended by farmers, community members, and visitors who share a passion for agriculture and sustainable food practices.
The event features a variety of activities, including tours of the farm, growing rosellas, cooking demonstrations and tastings, entertainment, and opportunities to purchase fresh rosella fruit and other locally grown produce.
Overall, Rosella Field Day is a celebration of the bounty of the land and the many people who work tirelessly to bring delicious and nutritious food to our tables.
BIG ROSELLA PROGRAM
Join us for a fun day out!
Visitors to the Big Rosella Field Day can enjoy cooking demos, farm tours, talks with farmers, forums on relevant issues, a local Farmers Market, and activities for families, including face painting and Rosella-themed games. CC’s products are also available for purchase.
OUR WHY
Sharing our love of Rosella fruit
Rosella Field Day provides an important platform for farmers and food enthusiasts to come together and exchange ideas, share knowledge, and build relationships that support the growth of sustainable farming practices and local food systems. Through this event, participants gain a deeper appreciation for the hard work and dedication of farmers and the importance of supporting local agriculture.
Rosella – what is it? (hint: it’s not a bird!)
Hibiscus Sabdariffa, commonly known as Rosella, is a plant species native to Africa, but it is now widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including at Petersen’s Farm in Woolooga, Queensland, Australia.
The plant is grown primarily for its calyx, which are the fleshy red or dark maroon sepals that enclose the flower bud. The calyx has strong tart flavour.
Rosellas are used to many of CC’s Kitchen’s delicious rosella jams and condiments.
In addition to its culinary uses, Rosellas have several potential health benefits. The plant is rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids and anthocyanins, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The plant is also a good source of vitamin C, minerals, and fibre.
YOUR HOSTS
Join CC and Greg
and celebrate all things rosella!
Welcome to Petersen’s Farm! We’re excited to welcome and share with you the wonders of all things Rosella. Whether you’re seeking a break from the city or looking to explore the beauty of rural landscapes, our farm has something for everyone. We hope you enjoy your visit and leave with a newfound appreciation for rosella fruit and our beautiful region.
HISTORY OF THE BIG ROSELLA FIELD DAY
The first Big Rosella Festival was held in May 2016 as a one-day event under a marquee and multiple gazebos in an empty paddock, where CC and Greg displayed Petersen’s Farm’s fresh produce and CC’s Kitchen products. They managed to attract 310 visitors, and the festival was opened by former Gympie Mayor Mick Curran, with celebrity chefs Matt Golinski and Glenn Barratt providing cooking demonstrations.
Since then the festival has grown through the years, and in 2020, they held the first-ever Virtual Big Rosella Festival, which ran for three days and featured an eight-hour program filled with chefs’ recorded videos, live farm tours, and the first-ever Rosella Jam making masterclass online. In 2021, the festival was extended to a two-day event and has become an authentic farm day for exploring, learning, and tasting about Rosellas and other crops.
It facilitates conversations, inspires young generations, connects city visitors and the bush, and provides a weekend to get to know your farmers. Additionally, the field day showcases how Petersen’s Farm and CC’s Kitchen businesses works together and highlights local chefs in the region. In 2022, the new farm kitchen hub was opened to the public, making the festival the best way to drive the meaning of love local, buy local, and eat local.