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Mark Foletta - 'Diversity, Regenerative Agriculture and Community'

11/5/2025

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Mark Foletta will be speaking on 'Diversity, Regenerative Agriculture and Community' at the 11th Swanpool Environmental Film Festival* on Saturday 14 June from 1 to 9.30 pm.   
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Mark manages a 450 ha traditional farming enterprise 12 km south of Benalla along with his own 10 ha of high-value horticultural land, producing Angus cattle, prime lambs and lucerne.  In recent years Mark has diversified further, successfully applying for the first Victorian licence to harvest one to two tons of wild mushrooms annually and planting two hectares of cherry trees alnd almost a hectare of heritage pumpkin varieties.  In 2023 Mark received the Award for Excellence in Diversification and Sustainability. 

Mark's presentation follows the screening of the film ’ROOTS SO DEEP - Episode 1’:  
"Inventive farmers and scientists building a path to solve climate change with hooves, heart and soil."  At the festival a discount code will be provided to stream the four episodes.

For full details of the festival and details relating to booking, go to
 
Swanpool Environmental Film Festival 2025.

*BSFG supports the SEFF, working in partnership with Swanpool Landcare with support from Benalla Rural City and Winton Wetlands. 
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Farmers for Client Action - Letter for Battery Support Campaign

5/4/2025

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BSFG is sharing this email from Farmers for Climate Action. 

FCA is asking for support for policies that allow regional Landholders and Communities to continue to benefit from the energy shift, and make a substantial contribution to a low emissions future for Australia .

There are different ways you can help. Links are included in the email below.
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We invite you to read and consider supporting Farmers for Climate Action.

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, Benalla Sustainable Future Group


Hi,

I want to share FCA's Quiet Majority Election Campaign. This year, we want to make sure that landholders and communities across regional Australia continue to benefit from the energy shift. 

While this campaign is a little different from your organisation's focus on sustainability and conservation work, the policies we are asking for will go a long way in securing a low emissions economy here in Australia. 

This election, we’re asking for:
  • Farmers to be able to use the energy they generate across their whole property, including across different property titles
  • Upgrades to local poles and wires
  • Delivery of support for batteries for all farmers


To do so, we are rallying a grassroots campaign (check it out here), which features guides for farmers to send letters to their local newspapers and to local MPs and candidates. 

We are organising an open letter to show the widespread support for farmers to be able to access affordable battery systems. 
​
Support this by signing the open letter for battery support and sharing with your network. I have attached a tile that you can share on your socials or newsletter to encourage your network to sign, if this helps.

Sign our open letter - Farmers for Climate Action

Re: Support for On-Farm Batteries. Australia’s farmers are calling for urgent federal political support for on-farm batteries to help secure their energy future, lower costs, and strengthen regional communities.
​
farmersforclimateaction.org.au

Everyone is welcome to support the campaign by signing the open letter. If your group has farmer members who may be interested in sending a letter or ordering a farm gate sign, feel free to send the guide onwards.

Cheers, 
Rosie, for the Farmers for Climate Action team
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'Sustainable Farming Systems' - guest speaker, Serenity Hill

19/9/2024

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At our general meeting on Thursday 12th  September, guest speaker, Serenity Hill spoke about Sustainable Farming Systems.  

Serenity runs a 168 ha regenerative farm in Warrenbayne: "Pukawidgee".  A self replacing flock of Australian white sheep are managed for sale as meat or livestock. She produces these in a way that regenerates diverse native pastures and revegetated grassy woodlands through increased photosynthesis and plant diversity.  A longer description can be found on the Discover Regenerative website here.

Serenity also co-founded and works in a non-profit called Open Food Network.  Open Food Network receives funding from government and philanthropy to conduct research and pilot new approaches to agriculture and food systems.  Current projects include:  
1) the national Discover Regenerative Platform, aimed at showcasing regenerative agriculture to business buyers. 
2) a Food Subsidy Pilot Project, funded by Citibank foundation, to develop a voucher system to help low income households access good food. 

Serenity also advises Sustainable Table which directs philanthropic funds to food system transformation and Moving Feast, which is a collaboration of food social enterprises in Victoria.  She is on the steering committee of the National Regenerative Agriculture Advocacy project, which coordinates advocacy to the Federal government around regenerative agriculture. 
 
Serenity compiled and maintains the publicly available Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture Knowledge Commons which is a 110 page compendium of the published science pertaining to agroecology and regenerative agriculture.   

​​Thank you, Serenity, for a most informative presentation.

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Tips on planting new paddock trees ...

26/8/2024

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"Planting a handful of new paddock trees on the farm is an opportunity to re-establish important natural assets without impacting substantial areas of productive land.

Plant suitable local species at appropriate spacings to create 'stepping stones' for native wildlife such as gliders and birds

Use a weed mat or mulch to slow weeds and keep soil moist + water crystals help get through dry spells

Protect the sapling as it establishes with steel mesh guards

Also fence around any old paddock trees to allow natural regeneration to occur + plant understorey species

Use fallen branches to prevent stock from camping directly under paddock trees to avoid excess nutrients in the soil"
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​For more tips on planting new paddock trees check out this free guide available from Hovells Creek Landcare Group: http://www.hovellscreeklandcare.org.au/.../a-practical...
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Photograph - Sally Day - New understorey planting around an old paddock tree in the Greta Valley VIC  Sustainable Farming FB page August 2024
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Making Australian Agriculture Sustainable – 2022 Fenner Conference. Keynote Speaker Dr Charles Massy

14/8/2024

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The Climate Change 2022 Fenner Conference was held in Canberra 17-18 May 2022.

The theme of the conference was Australia’s soil, water and vegetation as key strategic assets.
Organised and co-hosted by Regenerate Earth, Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) and the Frank Fenner Foundation, the conference featured a line-up of speakers from both farms and academia.  Prof John Hewson opened the conference.

The two-day event brought together a group of representatives with scientific, administrative, and policy expertise in climate and natural hazards, to discuss ways we can make Australian Agriculture Sustainable.
​
Video recordings of the conference are available on the SPA website, https://population.org.au/video/making-australian-agriculture-sustainable-2022-conference/. 

The conference presented an excellent range of speakers and topics.
Keynote speaker was Dr Charles Massy.
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'Farming Forever' - Farmers for Climate Action film at COP28

21/1/2024

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Farmers for Climate Action, an organisation which represents more than 8000 Australian farmers,  holds events in North East Victoria and posts informative webinars, launched and screened the video "Farming Forever" at COP 28 in Dubai in December. 

The video, which we've posted below, features farmers who’ve experienced recent droughts and floods, and the innovative solutions they’ve adopted to make their farms more resilient while reducing emissions.
"One of the four farmers featured, Longreach grazier Jody Brown, called on leaders to make strong commitments to act on climate change:  “We can go our hardest to adapt. We can be part of the solution. We can reduce our emissions as an industry. We can help with all those things. It’s beyond time that we got a bit more organised at all levels of government. I would just really love it if I knew that everyone else was hustling too.”"  Farmers for Client Action Blog, 7 Dec 2023.
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BSFG General Meeting Report, November 23, 2023, Guest Speaker Rachel de Lastic 'Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health'

13/12/2023

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Our guest speaker at the BSFG General Meeting held on Thursday November 23, 2023, was Rachel de Lastic.  The title of Rachel's presentation was “Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health".

Rachel informed the meeting how she had been influenced to pursue her interest in soil health.  She obtained her honours degree at the University of Queensland completing a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Hons), Soil Sciences 2015 – 2019.  Rachel talked about the honours project she worked on looking at the degradation of soil aggregates in Vietnam and Cambodia due to intensive cultivation of maize.  To counter this soil degradation fruit tree plantations were introduced which not only resulted in improved soil aggregates but also provided income.

Rachel worked to produce food where plant diversity was key to a resilient and productive farming system.

In pursuing her passion about maintaining soil health through the implementation of sustainable farming practices Rachel is now working at Soil Land Food-Ecological Agriculture, https://soillandfood.com.au/.  She described one revegetation project to plant 8000 trees on a property.

One of Rachel's slides provided an image and definition of Ecology; “Ecology is the study of the relationships among living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. Ecology considers organisms at the individual, population, community, ecosystem and biosphere level.”

Being an enthusiastic hands-on person Rachel demonstrated some practical techniques, termed HASH-Holistic Assessment of Soil Health, which can be used to assess soil health such as by measuring soil pH and conducting a water infiltration test.

Soil Land Food offer training courses and there are some online resources at https://soillandfood.com.au/soils/, with for instance, a video on how to do the Water Infiltration Test.  These Soil videos mention a RASH Manual, A landholder’s guide to the Rapid Assessment of Soil Health.  This guide can be downloaded from https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/landscape/docs/ep/rapid_assessment_of_soil_health_rash_manual.pdf.  Another version at https://gmln.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/RASH-manual_web.pdf.

Rachel's enthusiastic presentation was well received by members and the meeting ended with further discussion and networking over supper.

Peter Maddock
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North East Victoria - 'The Parsley Collective'

6/12/2023

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​The link to this inspiring and informative video "The Parsley Collective" came through the latest Climate Ready Hume Newsletter - https://t.e2ma.net/message/jbso9i/fob1k49b (There's a Sign up link to receive Climate Ready links at the end of the emails.)
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Rachel de Lastic  on "Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health", Thursday November 23, 7.30 pm, Uniting Church Meeting Room

10/11/2023

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The guest speaker at the BSFG General Meeting in November is Albury based Rachel de Lastic who works for a small independent company called Soil Land Food, specialising in ecological agriculture, rural change and capacity building. Her projects include landscape rehydration and revegetation, soil testing and management, making bio-fertilisers, and pasture and soil monitoring.

Rachel is looking forward to speaking with us about regenerative agriculture and soil health. With previous soil ecology university training, now training as an agroecologist, Rachel has worked mostly in horticulture systems (including regenerative market gardens), and more recently in grazing systems. 
 
A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening.  Please RSVP your attendance to [email protected]   We hope to see you there!
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Methane & Global Warming Webinar - Farmers for Global Action

9/11/2023

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An inspirational case study - 'Rachel's Farm'

5/10/2023

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Always ready to share inspiration and information about sustainable farming systems, BSFG and Swanpool Landcare recently organised a special screening at Swanpool of 'Rachel's Farm'.  This uplifting documentary follows actor Rachel Ward as she sets out to regenerate her northern NSW’s beef farm, with the help of experts and neighbours. "From ignorance about the ecological impacts of conventional agriculture on her own property which has been besieged by drought and bushfires, to embracing a movement of regeneration."
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An enthusiastic turnout gathered on September 8 to watch this special screening of 'Rachel's Farm', travelling alongside Rachel Ward as she transitioned to regenerative farming.   An inspiring film, with many staying behind after the film for informal discussion.  

For further information:  Rachel's Farm Website
​
https://theregenerators.org/rachels-farm/
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'Linked small dams in rural Australia could also be batteries'

14/9/2023

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Click on the image to link to an article on the ABC website.... "Rural Australia is pockmarked with small dams. Researchers say they could also be 'batteries'"....
Suggested reading by Woz from the Benalla Permaculture Facebook Page, 14 September 2023.
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Webinar - 'A National Plan for Climate Change & Agriculture'

4/4/2023

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On 15 March 2023, Farmers for Climate Action launched a report titled, Farming Forever: A National Plan for Climate Change and Agriculture. Based on their engagement with more than 600 farmers, agriculture industry and more, they announced their plan for a national approach to climate change and agriculture.  Australian farmers are on the front lines of climate change, facing more severe and frequent drought, heatwaves, fires and floods. At the same time, the shift to a low-emissions world also presents farmers and rural communities with significant opportunities. An effective national policy on climate change and agriculture will help to ensure Australian farmers are prepared to deal with the changing climate and able to seize the economic opportunities that come from moving to a low carbon economy. 
​This recording was taken on 15 March 2023 and hosted by Emily Jones, Organising Manager for Farmers for Climate Action. Guest speakers: Senator the Hon Murray Watt - Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Dr Kate Andrews - NRM Regions Australia Olivia Lawson - Director & Co-Principal of Paringa Livestock Pty Ltd.
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'The Millenials' - Sam Vincent - 'My Father and Other Animals'

12/8/2022

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Millenial Sam Vincent's book, 'My Father and Other Animals. How I took on the Family Farm' was launched this week.   Here are some comments from the Black Inc. (Publisher) web site: 
‘For any reader desiring to understand contemporary rural Australia, this entertaining and important book is a must-read.’ —Charles Massy, author of Call of the Reed Warbler

‘At once a rollicking comic memoir and a thoughtful meditation on Australian farming, My Father and Other Animals is a warm, surprising and beautifully crafted book.’ –Billy Griffiths, author of Deep Time Dreaming

‘A farmer, his son … what to forget and what to remember, how to inherit and when to change. Sam Vincent has learned a few things from his dad, and among them is how to pay attention. For those of us who hunt our food plastic-wrapped in aisle three, this is a funny, kindly and observant introduction to the landscape that wraps around our cities, keeps us alive and means the world.’ —Kate Holden, author of The Winter Road
​Sam was interviewed by Phillip Adams this week in an engaging segment titled 'How Millenial Sam Vincent Fell Into Farming' on Late Night Live, ABC, Tuesday 9 August 2022 - here's the link:  ​https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/how-millennial-sam-vincent-fell-into-farming/101312110

​
Highly Recommended!
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'Widespread introduction of sustainable farming systems'...  starting point - Charles Massy, author of 'Call of the Reed Warbler', on Regenerative Farming

12/8/2022

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​The initial task of the Sustainable Farming Systems group, reported on at the July 28 BSFG General Meeting, involved Sandy Campbell's quest to make contact with Charles Massy in the hope of engaging him to speak to local farmers.    Many BSFG members will have heard Charles speak at the 2018 Swanpool Environmental Film Festival, his topic 'Can Regenerative Agriculture Help Save the World', and/or read his groundbreaking work 'Call of the Reed Warbler'.


Pressures on his time mean that Charles is unable to accept Sandy's invitation, so it's 'Back to the Drawing Board'.  Sandy, along with John Paul Murphy, is now looking towards other options.  We are, however, particularly fortunate with the level of inspiration already imparted by Charles in our area; have continuing access to his book, and can also recommend the excellent Australian Story feature story on Charles' work to disseminate the benefits and practice of regenerative farming.  
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    'Sustainable Farming Systems'

    This group is working towards widespread adoption of Sustainable Farming Systems by developing a series of forums and on-farm demonstrations to explain the changes necessary for carbon capture and storage on farm.  It's keen to meet with other like minded groups to determine common goals, to develop a Regenerative  Farmer Peer Support Program, and more.   

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    ​Banner Photo - Net Zero Farming gathering in the Benalla Gardens, 26 February 2022

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​Benalla Sustainable Future Group acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we live, work and meet, the Taungerang, Yorta Yorta and Bpangerang people ​of North East Victoria, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.