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.
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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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 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.) 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 bsfginc@gmail.com We hope to see you there! 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." 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/ 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.
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.
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
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 |
'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. LinksCategories
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Banner Photograph - Charles Massy speaking on Regenerative Agriculture at the Swanpool Environmental Film Festival, June 2018. |
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of North East Victoria, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.