​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.

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!

​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.  

The BSFG Review Action Group 'Widespread adoption of Sustainable farming systems' was established following the 2022 review, with the following directions suggested as an outcome of the workshop program. 

Initiatives/Actions

• Develop a series of forums and on-farm demonstrations to explain the changes necessary for carbon capture and storage on farm
• Engage Charles Massey to talk to local farmers

Connect and work with other like-minded groups on common goals

• Meet with other like minded groups to determine common goals
• Create a list of groups already formed and what they are doing in this space.

Peer Support Program for Regenerative Farmers

• Develop a 'Regen' farmer peer support group with field days and guest speakers
• Faciliitate DIY ecological monitoring on farms
• Find and enable local farmers who are interested in belonging to such a group/developing ecological monitoring and other regenerative farming skills

Partnerships and Links

• Explore links with Bulk Food Co-Op and local producers eg the Strathbogie Local in Euroa

​
There is clearly synchronicity with another possible area of activity also reported on following the review - Ecosystem Restoration.


Who
Sandy​ Campbell
John Paul Murphy
Local Agricultural community