Food & Agriculture

Agriculture has a large environmental impact on the planet.  It consumes many of the earths resources of water and land and modern western agriculture uses many fossil fuel based products such as fuels for machinery, and in the manufacture and distribution of fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.  The processed food industry also impacts through packaging, processing and transportation.

What can agriculture contribute to reducing environmental impact?  Beyond Zero Emissions research into agriculture suggests that agriculture and forestry are the only sectors of the Australian economy that can draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere by sequestering it in growing plants and in the soil.  The agriculture and forestry sectors can mitigate climate impacts on the land, bringing prosperity to rural areas in the process.

Bulk Food Cooperative

The Benalla Food Cooperative opened in May 2011 with 12 members.  Nine years later, with over 70 members, the food cooperative stocks around 118 different products and responds regularly to requests for more products.  

Local Food Network  

A Local Food Network is a group of local food growers, retailers, organisations & community members who come together to supply the town with healthy food.  The Benalla Local Food Network is an action group of BSFG. 

Community Gardens

Benalla's community gardens include the Benalla Central Community Garden at the Uniting Church (pictured) & community gardens at Yooralla; the Lifestyle Village and schools involved with the Stephanie Alexander program.. 

Soils 

BSFG is concerned to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions.  Professor Deli Chen has spoken at a BSFG  meeting on his research into reducing nitrogen emissions from agriculture and reducing methane emissions at feedlots.   

Land Care

The Benalla area saw the development of one of Australia's first Land Care groups!  Many BSFG members are members of Land Care groups working on innovative approaches to Land Care issues. This video, 'Farm Dam Wetlands',  reflects Warrenbayne Boho Land Care groups' interest in this land care practice. 

Agriculture & Forestry

BSFG  contributes financially to the research work of Beyond Zero Emissions, a not profit research and education organisation, into areas of sustainability, including the role of the agriculture and forestry.  BZE  published the 'Zero Carbon Australia - Land use: Agriculture and Forestry Report'. 

BSFG interests also include permaculture, organic farming and the roles grasslands can play in carbon sequestration....

"It's up to the farmers".   BSFG member and former local grazier Cath Marriott takes a particular interest in the roles grasslands can play in carbon sequestration.   Cath has highly recommended reading 'It's up to the farmers', by George King, managing director of The Whitney Pastoral Company Pty Ltd's "Coombing Park".    Cath also recommends-  'Understanding our Native Grasslands'.  Cath tweets regularly about sustainability in agriculture - follow @catmarriott at http://www.twitter.com/catmarriott.  Dr Charles Massey's recent book 'Call of the Reed Warbler'  is highly valued by Cath and other BSFG members interested in regenerative agriculture.  Charles presentation ‘Can regenerative agriculture help save the world?’ at the 2018 Swanpool Environmental Film Festival, considered the impact of regenerative agricuture on pastures and the negative effects of  non-organic fertilizers and chemicals  on soil and human health.  

Australian Story - September 28th 2020 - Regenerative Farming: A 'natural' solution to drought - Charles Massey 

Banner:  Banner photograph -  Net Zero Farming Forum, Benalla Gardens, Friday 25th February, 2022