We cross the Equator

Packing gifts in Canberra

A day of travel filled today as we lept from Canberra to Sydney then on to Manila.  It is fair to say I am looking forward to delving and learning about other farming systems but also other cultures, throw accross the top of that ten complete stangers who will be living in each others pockets and it will mke for an interesting six weeks.  There could be a reality TV show in there somewhere I reckon... Amazing Race meets Farmer Finds a Wife.

This cohort of Nuffields are an interesting bunch, extensive beef farmers, organic pork producers, sheep farmers,  peony rose grower, a dairy farmer, a couple of arable farmers doing some clever marketing and diversified business and me.

The crew as we depart Aussie

Bringing together such a broad range of smart people looking and learning about  global agriculture has got to be an interesting thing to do.

Were in Manila now and the noise, the smells the bussle and activity is intense.  It is a long way from anywhere where most of us have come from.  Off to visit the International Rice Research Institute tomorrow....

We're all indespensible...checking phones upon arrival at Manila after 8 hours off the grid