Tobacco farming began circa 1960 in the Kiewa Valley and consequently became one of its major industries. Many of the Italian families were involved in tobacco farming.Historical: This equipment was used on one of the first tobacco farms in the Kiewa Valley at Mongans Bridge. The sand sieve was home-made showing the resourcefulness of farmers living in the Kiewa Valley. Provenance: This tobacco farmer came from Italy and was sponsored to visit a tobacco farmer in Myrtleford to learn how to grow tobacco so that he could transfer those skills to his own farm in the Kiewa Valley.Used for sifting sand over the sowing of tobacco seed in seed beds. Rectangular wooden frame with tin attached on all 4 sides. Tin has been punched randomly to form ragged holes about 20 mm apart. A wooden beam has been attached vertically to the frame and extends upwards to form a handle tapered towards the end. Tin is nailed on. tobacco. kiewa valley. mongans bridge. vannucci. sand sieve. rossaro.