SMALL FARMS AND FOOD PRODUCTION - Growing murnong Food and fibre in the Otways Soil health underpins home food production - Landcare Victoria
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
V I C TO R I A N Summer 2021 Issue 80 & C AT C H M E N T M A N A G E M E N T SMALL FARMS AND FOOD PRODUCTION Growing murnong Food and fibre in the Otways Soil health underpins home food production
Victorian Landcare and
Catchment Management
S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 I ssue 8 0
Contents
03 From the Minister
04 Restoring and protecting vegetation in the Barrabool Hills
Geoff and Joan Anson have used whole farm planning to transform their small
Barwon Ridge property in just five years.
06 Showcasing food and fibre in the Otways
The Central Otway Landcare Network has been successful at engaging small
to medium landholders across the region through its biennial food and fibre
showcase.
5 n g a
ration sit
t a resto ippsland.
e
10 Grampians olive farm is a labour of love
Rita Bikins and David Margetson have combined their skills in natural resource
management and marketing to develop their sustainable olive farm at Pomonal.
rn o
ting mu in East G
Regenera search project
a re 12 The story of Amber Creek Farm
during
Daniel Bright shares his story of growing up at Fish Creek and returning to the
area to run an innovative family business that combines sawmilling and free-
range pigs.
14 Discussion groups support small farm enterprises
T he Western Port Catchment Landcare Network has been establishing farmer
discussion groups to support small enterprises. The groups share land
management knowledge, ask questions and discuss their successes and mistakes.
18 Healthy Hectares workshops target small properties
Wodonga Urban Landcare Network is working with the Mid Ovens Landcare
Consortium to build the capacity of small rural property owners to apply best
practice land management principles to their land.
11 at if the soil
20 Small-scale agriculture in Japan
Rob Youl from Global Landcare reports on his visit to several small-scale Landcare
ar ge ts on believes th farming operations in Japan.
Dav id M look after
the trees will
biology is right 22 Around the State
themselves. Find out what’s happening in Landcare across Victoria.
© State of Victoria (Department of Environment, Disclaimer
Land, Water and Planning) 2021 This publication may be of assistance to you but the
State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee
that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is
wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or
Attribution 4.0 International licence. You are free to re-use other consequence which may arise from you relying
the work under that licence, on the condition that you on any information in this publication.
credit the State of Victoria as author. The licence does not Editorial Committee
apply to any images, photographs or branding, including John Robinson DELWP, Tracey Koper Victorian Catchment
16
the Victorian Coat of Arms, the Victorian Government logo Management Council, Claire Hetzel Landcare Victoria
and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Incorporated, Angela Snowdon, Landcare Australia,
Planning (DELWP) logo. To view a copy of this licence, visit Marijke de Bever-Price, Landcare Victoria Incorporated,
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/au/deed.en Barry Kennedy Port Phillip & Westernport CMA and
ISSN 1327 5496 (Print) Carrie Tiffany Editor.
The MacEwan’s 54 ISSN 2207 3396 (PDF)
-square metre vege Editorial contributions
garden at Lockwo table Accessibility Carrie Tiffany Email: editorviclandcare@gmail.com
od South supplies
abundance of hous an If you would like to receive this publication in an
Cover photograph
ehold produce. alternative format, please telephone the DELWP
Xavier and Laura Meade with baby Molly on their
Customer Service Centre on 136 186, email
cel.hub@delwp.vic.gov.au, or via the National free-range pork farm at Barongarook. Photograph
Relay Service on 133 677 www.relayservice.com.au. by Tracey McRae.
This document is also available on the internet at
www.landcarevic.org.au/landcare-magazine/
2 | victorian landcare and catchment management
From the Minister
Happy New Year to you all. I hope you producers to connect with their customers As ever, I am inspired by the commitment
enjoyed the festive season. and the community. of Landcarers and environmental
volunteers to improving our environment
While public health measures to slow The network created a biennial food
and our communities. I look forward to
the spread of coronavirus (COVID- and fibre showcase featuring guest
speakers, workshops and demonstrations. hearing about your successes during 2021.
19) impacted on many Landcare and
environmental volunteer group meetings The event brings the region’s producers
and on-ground activities last year, reports together to share information and get
from our Regional Landcare Coordinators advice from experts.
show that a great deal of environmental Olive growers Rita Bikins and David
work was still completed. Margetson from Pomonal in the Wimmera
have created a successful paddock-to-plate The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio
In recognition of the continuing great
work undertaken by Landcarers and business using organic farming practices. Minister for Energy, Environment and
environmental volunteers, the Victorian They have taken a holistic approach to Climate Change
Government is pleased to continue to sustainability by improving soil health,
Minister for Solar Homes
support the Landcare community into using environmentally sound packaging
2021, with $8.9 million for environmental and reducing energy consumption.
volunteering and the Victorian Landcare On a smaller scale, retired research
Program announced in November in the scientist Richard MacEwan shares his Environmental
Victorian Budget 2020-21. experience producing food on his property
at Lockwood South, near Bendigo. The
grants website
This issue of the magazine is about small
MacEwans grow a variety of herb and
farms and food production. The breadth The Victorian Government is
vegetable crops, and even make wine.
of articles shows that this sector is diverse, continuing support for our natural
creative and adaptable. Farmer discussion groups are a great way environment by funding multiple
for small producers on the Mornington grant programs this year for
Some producers who shared their stories
Peninsula to share knowledge during environmental volunteering projects.
reported that downtime during the pandemic
challenging times. When local restaurants
gave them the opportunity to plan, trial more The details of these environmental
and wineries closed because of coronavirus
sustainable land management methods and grant programs will be available online.
(COVID-19) restrictions, several growers
develop new products. For more information, visit
from one discussion group pooled
The Central Otways Landcare Network resources and found new markets for environment.vic.gov.au/grants
identified a need for small and medium their produce.
2021-24 Victorian Landcare Facilitator Program
On 28 January 2021 applications will The guidelines and the application asked questions will also be available on
open for the 2021-24 Victorian Landcare form will be available on the DELWP the website.
Facilitator Program (VLFP), with website when applications open. Go to For more information contact the
applications to close on 18 March 2021. www.environment.vic.gov.au/grants/vlfp Victorian Landcare Program staff at
Landcare and environmental volunteer DELWP by email at landcare@delwp.
Additional information regarding
groups and networks can apply for VLFP vic.gov.au
the 2021-24 VLFP employment
funding to employ a Landcare facilitator
requirements and updated frequently
from July 2021.
Summer 2021 issue 80 | 3
From weeds to woodland – in five years By Tim Trottier
Protecting remnant vegetation and restoring denuded areas has been a key aim of the
whole farm plan at Geoff and Joan Anson’s Barwon Ridge property in the Barrabool Hills,
west of Geelong. As well as four hectares of vines, Barwon Ridge has a small flock of merino
sheep and an orchard of heritage fruit trees.
Since 2000 remnant vegetation has been Barrabool Hills Landcare Group, Geelong are breeding, kangaroos rest in the shade
fenced off, shelter belts established, and Landcare Network, family, friends, of the trees and the bird life has exploded.
bog plants and crayfish in a local creek volunteer groups and Gordon TAFE The homemade bee hotel has lodgers.
protected from livestock. students assisted with planting, with the
The site has brought countless hours of
TAFE also using the site in its training.
In 2015 Geoff and Joan started the pleasure to everyone involved. Barwon
revegetation of 4.5 hectares of denuded Life for the young plants has been tough. Ridge won the 2019 Geelong Chamber
paddock. They focused on indigenous The soil is sandy over shallow limestone of Commerce Clever, Creative and
species aiming to create something close to bedrock and the site has an average rainfall Sustainable Business Award for the
the natural bushland that once covered the of 500mm. Even after ripping and weed sustainable whole farm approach to the
area. Seed was sourced locally to ensure control, losses in some areas were high. vineyard and land management.
its provenance. Approximately 25 different Several replants have been necessary over Geoff Anson said the site was a haven
species were planted. the past five years. during the recent lockdown.
Considerable thought was given to Snails and old pasture grasses including “One of the joys during the COVID-19
site design and planning. The Otway phalaris and sand rocket are ongoing lockdown was our daily walk through lush
Agroforestry Network and consultant threats. Some weeds are being sprayed stands of giant hop bush, yellow gum and
Steven Murphy provided advice. Species and in other areas the growing trees are wirilda wattle, while listening to the bird
were grouped in different sized clumps starting to keep the weeds under control. chorus and savouring the heady smell of
according to their final form. A corridor of
As one target is achieved new challenges the tree violets,” Geoff said.
lower growing species was planted under
a power line. are being met. This year small plots of Joan agreed. “It’s especially satisfying given
kangaroo grass were planted. Weeping that the area was a dry, weed-infested
To make future management easier a grass is under propagation and other paddock just five years ago,” she said.
number of rarer plants selected for seed ground plants such as chocolate lily are
collection (broad leafed sweet bursaria, being investigated. Trimming of the logging Tim Trottier is Landcare Facilitator at
white cypress pine, lightwood and silver Geelong Landcare Network. Tim’s position
trees has also just started.
banksia) were planted along the access is funded through the Victorian Landcare
tracks, together with spotted gum and red Wildlife returned quickly once the habitat Facilitator Program. For more information
ironbark for logging. became established. Blue tongue lizards email geelonglandcarenetwork@gmail.com
Preparing the site in 2015. Joan Anson in the denuded paddock five years
later. The foreground is trimmed spotted gum
with mixed species to the rear.
4 | victorian landcare and catchment management
Under Aboriginal
management murnong
was widespread across
grasslands and grassy
woodlands of southern
Australia, providing a
staple food crop.
Murnong tubers are flavoursome and highly nutritious.
Growing and transplanting murnong – a cultural and
commercial crop By Annette Peisley and Rebecca Peisley
A research project in East Gippsland has these tubers; and determine if transplanting the following year and are an important
achieved significant results in increasing murnong tubers could increase survival part of reproduction and local spread of this
survival of murnong in restoration compared to field-sowing seeds. species.
plantings. The results are encouraging for
They found that dry-air after-ripened Transplanting dormant tubers was much
the production of this culturally significant
murnong seeds need to be sown in the more successful than field-sowing seeds.
species as a commercial crop. nursery in autumn (March-April) to produce Significantly more tubers regenerated than
Murnong or yam daisy (Microseris walteri), tubers. This is important to allow the plants seeds germinated in the restoration sites.
is a highly nutritious, summer-dormant, enough time to complete flowering by The tubers also produced more leaves
tuberous perennial herb. early December before entering summer more quickly than seedlings, which made
dormancy to prevent heat stress and allow them better at competing with weeds. Most
Under Aboriginal management murnong tuber survival underground. tubers flowered, produced healthy seeds and
was widespread across grasslands and
Applying fertiliser that contains survived to transition into summer dormancy
grassy woodlands of southern Australia,
phosphorous during seed sowing while all seedlings died before flowering.
providing a staple food crop. The
introduction of grazing from livestock, significantly increased tuber size and Being able to produce large, healthy tubers
rabbits and soil compaction due to western resulted in more flower seed heads per makes murnong an attractive species for
agriculture decimated murnong. It is now plant. The positive response of murnong the emerging bushfood industry. The white
vulnerable and confined to small remnants. to increased soil nutrition demonstrates tubers are nutritious and sweet tasting.
Bruce Pascoe’s book Dark Emu is a good how hand-tillage and fire under Aboriginal They can be eaten raw or baked, mixed
source of information on the cultivation of management increased nutrient cycling with other vegetables or turned into a
murnong by Aboriginal people. and provided nutrient flushes into the paste for desserts. The leaves can also be
soil resulting in better murnong crops. It used in salads.
The low germination success of field-sown also suggests that murnong can survive in
seeds, low germinate seedling survival and reclaimed agricultural restoration sites with The methods from this study can be
low transplanted seedling survival in the permanently elevated levels of phosphorus. reproduced using containers in home
first year of translocation have hindered its vegetable gardens, or scaled up for
re-establishment in restoration plantings. The most successful over-summer storage production on farms.
method was storing dormant tubers in-situ
Annette Peisley and Rebecca Peisley in potting mix. These tubers had the highest Dr Rebecca Peisley is a lecturer in the
conducted an independent research project regeneration percentage once transplanted School of Environmental Sciences at Charles
from 2015 to 2017 to determine protocols into a restoration plot the following autumn, Sturt University. Annette Peisley has spent
for producing large, healthy murnong tubers and went on to flower, produce seeds and the last 15 years studying native plant foods
in nursery conditions; identify the most survive to transition into summer dormancy. in East Gippsland. For more information
suitable over-summer storage method of These new tubers can result in new plants email alpeisley@skymesh.com.au
Summer 2021 issue 80 | 5
Showcasing food and fibre in the Otways By Andrew Gray
In mid 2015 the Central Otway Landcare Network (COLN) wanted to find the best way to engage
small to medium landholders across the Otways in more sustainable land management.
A landscape use and demographics study their customers. COLN decided to enter of interest. These have included fibre
commissioned by the Corangamite CMA this space. We believed that by supporting production, soil biology, regenerative
had revealed high land prices in the region producers with sales and marketing we farming, agroforestry, local food systems,
due to good rainfall, soil fertility, recreation could then engage them with sustainability accreditation systems, butchery, shearing
and tourism, including agri-tourism across the whole operation. demonstrations and features on local
opportunities. The study highlighted restaurants and cafés.
We got underway in 2015 by building
the many small to medium farms in our
on an existing event, Eat Local Month. In 2017 Corangamite CMA assisted in
Landcare area and predicted significant land
We ran a large finale for this program, publishing a celebratory booklet sharing
ownership change in coming years.
bringing all of the Otway food and fibre producer stories. This was another
Farmgate producers across the Otways producers together in one place. The gateway to practice change – as producers
are represented by several effective event celebrated their contribution to an took stock of their land management issues
organisations like the Otway Harvest and ecologically sustainable, just, accessible, in order to share their stories.
the 12 Apostles Food Artisans. These community-based food and fibre system.
Through building relationships with
organisations assist with marketing fruit
In 2016 the Otway Food and Fibre producers we have been able to introduce
and nut orchards, pork, beef, lamb and
Showcase was born. The showcase is an them to land management services
wool graziers, vegetables, viticulture, egg
opportunity to show people where their like whole farm planning, biodiversity
producers and value-added products like
food comes from, how it’s produced, and and shelterbelts, indicator monitoring,
jams, preserves and olive oil.
enable people to make the connection soil biology, succession planning, cover
A holistic approach to between food, community, environment cropping and water management.
sustainable businesses and personal health.
From showcase to water efficiency
The traditional Landcare model involves
The event is now biennial. Stallholder Xavier and Laura Meade run a small
working with landholders to achieve more
numbers have grown from 25 to 60, and pasture-raised free-range pork business in
sustainable land management through weed
visitor participation from several hundred Barongarook. Their 6.5-hectare property
and pest control, revegetation, improving
to several thousand. is on Boundary Creek, a tributary of the
soil health, enhancing biodiversity, whole
Barwon River – a high priority waterway
farm planning and building climate resilience. We run three stages for guest speakers,
for the Corangamite CMA.
But the priority for many of the small to workshops and demonstrations over the
medium farmers in the Otways is building day. The stages are coordinated by local Six years ago, Barongarook Pork identified
relationships with their community and producers who determine the topics the opportunity to scale up the business,
We believed that by
supporting producers with
sales and marketing we
could then engage them
with sustainability across
the whole operation.
The dam at Barangarook Pork in 2017 before installation of the filter and revegetation.
6 | victorian landcare and catchment management
The dam during a regenerative agriculture field trip in 2019.
but Xavier and Laura were concerned the 2019 From the Ground Up – Growing their business. There has been an increase
about the risks to the local landscape and Regenerative Agriculture in Corangamite in landholders taking up family farm
waterway through erosion and increased Conference. succession planning, cover cropping and
nutrient loads escaping to the creek. soil biology programs. We also garnered
Barongarook Pork sell their products by
huge support for our 2019 Growing
Barongarook Pork participated in the first order to restaurants and occasionally at
Regenerative Agriculture conference.
Otway Food and Fibre Showcase in 2016. farmers’ markets. The farm improvements
The Meades raised their farm impact are a great marketing story for the business. COLN has found a new way to engage
concerns from increased livestock levels with its small and medium sized producers
Coordinating the Otway Food and Fibre
with their local Landcare facilitator. – testament to the creativity, strength and
Showcase has produced multiple positive
flexibility of the Landcare model.
The Landcare facilitator supported outcomes for COLN. Many local farms
them in drafting an application for the have hosted their first farmgate sales and Andrew Gray is Landcare Facilitator for
Corangamite CMA’s Our Catchments Our market stalls at the showcase. Interest Barongarook Landcare Group and Central
Communities, On-Farm Water Efficiencies in value-adding has strengthened with Otway Landcare Network. Andrew’s
program. They secured substantial farmers meeting and working directly with position is funded through the Victorian
funding to assist with farm design, water local chefs and cooks and introducing new Landcare Facilitator Program. For more
management and installing a whole farm enterprises like free-range egg chooks to information email andygray@coln.org.au
solar system.
The farm design for Barongarook Pork
was based on replicable and scaleable
permaculture principles. The water is
filtered through protected vegetated swales
and a wetland filter to process water in the
dam for recycling back to the header tank,
then back to troughs and new wallows.
The section of Boundary Creek that flows
through their property is now fenced
and planted with native riparian species.
The next stage of the transformation is to
harness nutrient build up in the rotationally
grazed paddocks by growing diverse cover
crops for forage and green manure.
The family has also invested in another
property where the same principles are
applicable and has begun installing shelter
belts in exposed areas of the landscape.
This farm was featured on a field trip for Laura Meade on stage at the 2017 Otway Food and Fibre Showcase with a local butcher and chef.
Summer 2021 issue 80 | 7
Farms2Schools – connecting Melbourne kids
with farmers By Karen Thomas
Artwork by a student from Derinya Primary School after an online incursion with a Farms2Schools lamb producer.
It takes a lot to feed a growing city. Meeting the nutritional needs of Melbourne’s more than five
million residents requires access to a wide variety of nutritious locally grown food. Farmers strive
every day to produce sustainable food and fibre to support this growing community.
Many people who live in cities are up on a small farm in NSW; Osman Sobrie
disconnected from local farms and lack has a Masters in Community Development
knowledge about how food and fibre and delivers grassroots projects; and
is produced. Added to this, the farming Narelle Debenham is a local teacher and
sector is ageing and can provide rich career Junior Landcare educator.
opportunities that many young people are The program was originally designed to
unaware of. deliver incursions to primary and secondary
The Farms2Schools program has been schools, where farmers visited schools
using online school incursions to provide to talk about their farms. Schools would
Many people who live in primary and secondary students across the also have been able to take students on
cities are disconnected greater Melbourne area with insight into an excursion to tour a local farm. When
how agricultural products get from the COVID-19 restrictions were introduced in
from local farms and lack the greater Melbourne area, Farms2Schools
paddock to their plate.
knowledge about how food had to quickly pivot and design an innovative
The program was delivered by the Port online program with virtual incursions
and fibre is produced. Phillip & Westernport CMA in partnership delivered by digital platforms.
with AUSVEG VIC – the peak industry body
for the Australian vegetable and potato This was also a big shift for the farmers taking
industries – with support from the Victorian part in the program. While tentative at first,
Government’s Working for Victoria initiative. support from the Farms2Schools program
officers assisted many of the participating
Three skilled professionals were hired to farmers to develop the confidence to present
deliver the program across the Port Philip online, record their own videos and
and Western Port region. Camille Coleman even live stream their incursions from the
has a background in agriculture and grew paddock with virtual walk and talks.
8 | victorian landcare and catchment management
Virtual lambing a highlight The program has also worked to support
The program has also been a huge learning STEAM (science, technology, engineering,
curve for the students. They gained arts and maths) learning opportunities
firsthand knowledge from farmers across as part of the curriculum. Teachers have
Melbourne’s food bowl on where their created innovative activities for students to
produce comes from, as well as learnt continue to engage with agriculture and
about supply chains and how food and consider the many career opportunities
fibre can be exported to other countries the industry offers. Some examples include
and sold locally through farmers’ markets art projects, slug and snail trap inventions
and at the farmgate. Students were able and writing letters to the farmers. Several
to virtually experience life on a farm – schools hosted an entire farm week, with
watching lambs being born and beehives the whole school community participating
being opened. in Farms2Schools.
Sophie O’Neil from Torello Farm was
Special development schools have also COVID-19 restrictions prevented some one of
the presenters at the Farms2School
participated in the program. In addition of the program’s resource development s online
farm incursions.
to online presentations, these schools (such as videos showcasing farm life) from
were provided with produce boxes going ahead, but farmers got creative and
to support their learning needs. This produced their own home videos that
allowed the students to learn through schools can now use to continue learning
Learning comes in many forms. 2020
sensory activities such as making honey in the classroom.
showed us the importance of technology,
sandwiches, tasting fresh produce and The Farms2Schools program finished creativity and adaptability. Despite COVID-
smelling lavender. at the end of term four in 2020, but it 19 restrictions, the Farms2Schools program
has left a legacy of resources for teachers delivered more than 100 incursions to
to continue to engage their students in more than 5500 students. The students
conversations about the importance of have a new understanding and appreciation
sustainable agriculture. In addition to the of farming and the role they could play
videos, student activity sheets focused on in its future. Schools have applauded the
the paddock to plate process and farm program, with 98 per cent of teachers
ecosystems services such as integrated recommending it.
pest management from beneficial insects,
Karen Thomas is Regional Agriculture
insectivorous birds and micro bats.
Facilitator at the Port Phillip &
An interactive virtual farm will further Westernport CMA. For more information
enhance student learning with a focus on about the Farms2Schools program
how farms manage their natural assets and to access the resources go to
such as soil, water and biodiversity. www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au/farms2schools
Teachers praise the program
After their incursion with local apiarists,
teachers from Dromana Primary School
said “the combination of live action and
photographs was excellent. The students
enjoyed seeing the process of honey
extraction and the opportunity to ask
questions.”
Altona Primary School students loved the
fresh vegetables they were given from
Teachers have created
Velisha Farms. “We know that farmer innovative activities for
Catherine Velisha is passionate about
growing cauliflowers and we could taste the
students to continue to
deliciousness. We can’t wait to meet you in engage with agriculture
person in the future,” the teachers said.
and consider the many
Derinya Primary School undertook
an incursion with Gillian Goudie from
career opportunities the
Gippslamb. The teachers commented industry offers.
that Gillian was friendly and easy to
understand. “She had a lovely manner
with the students and showed them some
lovely aspects of her beautiful farm and its
animals. It was also great to see and hear
Isabella Amouzandeh from Sugarloaf Produce about the sustainable practices that operate
was an enthusiastic Farms2Schools presenter. throughout the farm.”
Summer 2021 issue 80 | 9
Grampians olive farm is a labour of love By Andrea Mitchell
Landcare often involves partnerships. In the case of Rita Bikins and David Margetson from
Pomonal their passion for improving the environment led them to the ultimate partnership –
each other.
Rita and David met at a Project Platypus
tree planting event. They married in
2013 and purchased Red Rock Olives,
a 76-hectare property consisting of
pasture, 5000 olive trees and a covenanted
Trust for Nature reserve at the foot of the
majestic Grampians National Park (part of
the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape).
Red Rock’s first event in the converted
farm house café was David and Rita’s
wedding reception. Since then they have
developed a successful paddock-to-plate
enterprise supplying olive oil and other
olive products. Farmgate tourism grew
quickly and now makes up 90 per cent
of their business.
According to Rita, the success of
the business is due to the successful
combination of skills – her previous business
experience, and David’s expertise in farming
and natural resource management.
“We are very fortunate how well our skill
sets match. My expertise is marketing and
branding which complements David’s
knowledge of farming and his local
knowledge – who to call, where to get help
and his problem-solving ability,” Rita said.
The dam at Red Rock Olives is fitted with a solar powered pump.
Farming practices are based The couple responded to a strong demand One-year-old merino wethers are grazed to
on organic principles. They for table olives from face to face contact suppress weeds in the olive grove and the
don’t use sprays and actively with their customers. The farmgate gave annual prunings are mulched under the trees.
them an opportunity to expand into value This year extra mulching was applied to keep
encourage beneficial insects. adding to their produce. This includes a the tree roots cool and save on irrigation
unique range of salt products, olive leaf tea requirements. They purchased wheaten
and infused olive oils. straw and duck manure for this purpose.
Holistic approach underpinned “We feel that if we can get the soil
by soil health biology right the trees can then look after
Their holistic approach to the business themselves. We feel soil health is the main
means caring for the environment and starts
driver of health in the grove,” David said.
with soil health. Farming practices are based
on organic principles. They don’t use sprays Restrictions due to COVID-19 have given
and actively encourage beneficial insects. them more time to concentrate on farming.
10 | victorian landcare and catchment managementDavid Margetson believes that if the soil biology is right the trees will look after themselves.
“We’ve had an opportunity to breathe, casks with bladders. Rita has been keen “Our continued sales through the
stop, look and work on the grove. We to avoid the use of glass which is currently shutdown period come from customer
improved our harvesting practices. It only produced overseas. loyalty. Running a business in uncertain
used to take two weeks, but this year we times is about keeping at it. Work it, work
“We’ve put a lot of effort into being as
harvested within the day and were able it, work it,” Rita said.
sustainable as we can be. So that we have
to get the olives to press within 24 hours.
a lighter footprint on the planet,” Rita said. Andrea Mitchell is the local Landcare
This ensured that our product was of extra
Facilitator for Project Platypus. Andrea’s
virgin standard,” Rita said. There are several solar panel systems
position is funded through the Victorian
installed to run the café, the insulated cool
A lighter footprint Landcare Facilitator Program. For more
room storage shed, and to pump irrigation
Other innovations to the business include information email llf@platypus.org.au
water from the dams and bore. There is
environmentally sound packaging. The salt
also a charger available for customers with
bags are made of biodegradable cornstarch
electric cars.
and the olive oil is packaged in cardboard
Adjoining the olive grove David and Rita
manage a 30-hectare block of stringybark,
red gum, grass trees, and many varieties of
flowering plants and orchids. The block is
covered by a Trust for Nature covenant.
In the last 10 years they have also planted
more than 18,000 trees on the pasture
and sheep farming part of the property.
They are part of the Jallukar Landcare
Group’s project to build a biodiversity
We’ve put a lot of effort
corridor from the Black Range to the into being as sustainable as
Grampians.
we can be. So that we have
David and Rita’s vision of learning,
sustainability, and environmental a lighter footprint on the
stewardship means they are active in planet.
their community. They are also involved
in the Perennial Pasture Systems and the
local CFA.
Internet sales increased during the
COVID-19 period. Rita explains that
Rita Bikins and David Margetson met at what looked like an overnight success
a Project Platypus planting event and now was really eight years of hard work.
own and manage an olive grove together at
Pomonal.
Summer 2021 issue 80 | 11Amber Creek runs right
through, with three tributaries
joining on the property. Its
diverse landscape rather than
its productive capacity was
what initially interested me.
Aerial view of the dam and revegetated gullies in January 2020.
The story of Amber Creek Farm By Daniel Bright
I grew up on the farm next door and used to spend my spare time in the bush and creeks on
this place. I often dreamt of owning this land and what I would do with it. My trade as a diesel
mechanic and the mining boom of the 2000s enabled me to buy the land at Fish Creek.
Our property is 66-hectares and 26 of didn’t yet know what I wanted to farm, just workshop and set up off-grid solar power
those are remnant bush. Amber Creek that this was a piece of land I felt a strong and a rainwater tank. I lived in an old
runs right through, with three tributaries connection with. I agisted the land to a caravan on the site.
joining on the property. Its diverse dairy farmer who ran young cattle here.
Sawmilling waste used
landscape rather than its productive in pig enterprise
Before I could fully fence off and plant
capacity was what initially interested out the creek from the cattle the farm In 2012 I met my wife Amelia and my
me. There was no infrastructure on needed water infrastructure. I identified energy for the farm and business had a
the farm and minimal history of pasture a site for a dam and researched dam and new purpose.
improvement. I was 26 years old and wetland construction. Once the dam was
It was time to start farming. We identified a
dug I established a system of pipes and
market opening for high-quality pork.
troughs around the farm. This was in the
millennium drought years of 2008 and We bought six weaner gilts (young female
2009. The dam filled through the winter. pigs) and grew them out to finisher size.
In 2010 I fenced off the rest of the creek. Milly embarked on our first pork marketing
The farm now had all of the pasture exercise selling directly to family and
separated into eight paddocks. I was planting friends. We processed three of the gilts and
up to 5000 trees a year to revegetate kept three for breeding. The meat looked
the gullies. As the initial plantings became great and the feedback from customers
established wallabies moved in which has was positive, so we decided to continue.
made recent plantings a challenge. We started off with a standard free-range
I bought a portable sawmill to mill pig set-up with the pigs fenced in on an
timber for the buildings I was planning. I area of paddock until it was eaten and dug
discovered I enjoyed sawmilling immensely. bare, then moved to a new section and
Building the dam at Amber Creek Farm during I started contract sawmilling and it repeat. As the herd increased it became
the 2008 drought. soon became a small business. I built a apparent that this was degrading the soil.
12 | victorian landcare and catchment managementWe considered the resources
we had available and what
we could do to fix the
problems and farm pigs in a
way that enhanced the land.
We considered the resources we had
available and what we could do to fix
the problems and farm pigs in a way that
enhanced the land.
The sawmill was producing a reasonable
amount of trash – unusable sections of logs.
We hired a chipper and made woodchips
for pig bedding, and to soak up manure
and spilt feed. This immediately improved
the situation, reducing odour, flies,
manure runoff and provided the pigs with
somewhere to get out of the mud in winter.
The next phase of pig farming
development was to keep the pig’s shelters
and feed and water troughs on home pads
(15 metres by 30 metres) covered in a
thick layer of woodchips and strip graze
the pasture around it. After a few years of
having pigs in these paddocks and using a From left Delilah, Amelia, Valerie, Hazel and Daniel Bright have a busy but satisfying life on their family
minimum till renovator to plant crops, the farm at Fish Creek.
pigs mainly graze and dig very little.
Initially we were buying grain, this was an woodchips as manure and spilt feed builds provides an interesting and engaging place
enormous financial strain and we sought up. Once a year we scrape the home to work; and, is financially profitable.
out alternatives. We were offered the pads into large piles for composting. The
Both the timber and pork sides of the
opportunity to buy (for a modest fee) the compost is then spread over the paddocks
business have continued to grow. Amber
waste and spilt grain from a local grain mill. as fertiliser. We have replaced the soil
Creek Farm now employs Milly and me
This helps their business as they are not we lost initially and continue to add to its
along with three full-time and four part-
paying for waste removal. Twice a week we vitality and to sequester carbon.
time employees. We have achieved three
also access trailer loads of veggies from a
When I was working in the mining industry of our measures of success and are getting
local grocer and daily pick up of whey which
it was financially rewarding, but I felt a huge close to consistently achieving the last.
forms half of the pigs’ diet. The other half is
gap between my values and actions. Milly
pasture and crops we grow ourselves. Daniel and Amelia Bright run Amber Creek
and I have four important measures of
Farm and Amber Creek Sawmilling at Fish
Home pads improve soil health success for our business. That it enhances
Creek. For more information email amber.
The development of the home pad system the environment; supports and engages
creek.farm@hotmail.com
has continued. We add more sawdust and with the local community;
Summer 2021 issue 80 | 13Discussion groups great support for small
farm enterprises By Peter Ronalds
The area surrounding Port Phillip and Western Port bays has reliable rainfall, fertile soils and
easy access to a potential market of (Melbourne’s) five million people. This is a peri-urban
region where growth corridors, green wedges, holiday destinations, hobby farmers and
working farms meet. It is the second most valuable agricultural region in Victoria, producing
15 per cent of the gross value of the state’s agriculture from four per cent of its farmland.
Among the large commercial farms
there are many smaller niche enterprises
supplying high value produce – often
directly to the consumer. These small
farms may be only 1–20 hectares in size,
but they grow high value crops such
as vegetables, berries, nuts, grapes or
fruit, often employing multiple staff and
generating significant returns.
Many of these smaller farm enterprises are
new to farming and keen to get involved in
the local community. They often join local
Landcare groups as they respect the land,
want to manage it well and are eager to
learn.
Industry extension and advice provided by
departments and service providers often
Farmer discussion groups can assist those in niche enterprises with land management knowledge
focuses on the common farm enterprises and skills. This group was meeting before COVID-19 restrictions.
so newer niche operations that are not as
well researched may miss out.
Learning from each other One of these discussion groups targets
The Western Port Catchment Landcare the small market and kitchen gardeners
Network (WPCLN) has been supporting on the Mornington Peninsula who
farmers with training and extension in best grow vegetables for local restaurants
practice land management training for and wineries. This group has provided
more than 15 years. In conjunction with opportunities for participants to meet other
our partners from the Bass Coast Landcare growers, exchange ideas and discuss topics
Network (BCLN), Mornington Peninsula of interest such as marketing and pest
Shire and the Australian Government management.
National Landcare Program, we have also When many of the local restaurants and
One of the most effective developed specific programs to support wineries closed due to COVID-19 several
small enterprises. growers in the group pooled resources
ways that farmers learn from and found new markets for their produce.
One of the most effective ways that
each other is to meet on farmers learn from each other is to meet Another discussion group established by
on each other’s properties, ask questions
each other’s properties, ask and discuss their successes and mistakes.
the BCLN has attracted farmers interested
in different niche farm enterprises located
questions and discuss their Over the past decade we have established throughout their region. This group
successes and mistakes. numerous farmer discussion groups of focuses on a new enterprise each time
10–20 farmers who meet on a regular they meet. They have visited free range
basis. The groups often invite guest pig, olive, mushroom, organic vegetable,
presenters to focus on a topic of interest. dairy cheese, heritage apple, deer, avocado
The groups are very popular and provide and hydroponic farms. The walks and
a supportive learning environment for the discussions are very well attended. The
participants. generosity with which the host farmers
have shared their knowledge has inspired
and impressed all of the participants.
14 | victorian landcare and catchment managementMikey Densham on his small organic flower and vegetable farm at Main Ridge.
Social connections and friendships “Farming for us is a way of life, not just The small enterprises on the peri-urban
The farmer discussion groups provide a a job. We strive to farm in a way that fringe are sometimes viewed as hobby
sounding board for new ideas. A member supports life and creates fertility. Our farms. Our discussion groups show they
of the Mornington Peninsula group who practices are gentle upon the landscape, are actually setting a very high standard
identified as a new (non-generational) yet we maintain an incredibly high in productivity and regenerative farm
farmer, appreciated the guidance from the production/yield per square metre. management.
experienced farmers in the group in making We love to show that high quality
Peter Ronalds is Sustainable Agriculture
sure they were going down the right production doesn’t have to come at a
Manager at Western Port Catchment
path. Many participants have reported the cost to nature,” Mikey said.
Landcare Network. For more information
benefits of the group for social connections “We take a lot of inspiration from email peter@wpcln.org.au
and friendships made in an industry that methodologies encouraging the use of
can be very isolating. good design and the inclusion of natural
Mikey Densham from Mossy Willow elements and patterns in the landscape.
Farm at Main Ridge is a good example of Trees and other perennial plants are
a farmer making the most out of a small central to our farmscape and provide
operation. Mikey manages a 0.6-hectare us with animal habitat, windbreaks,
organic vegetable and flower operation forage, financial income and beauty.”
with a team of four full-time employees.
When many of the local
restaurants and wineries
closed due to COVID-19
several growers in the
group pooled resources and
found new markets for their
produce.
Small farms can be highly productive and demonstrate good land management practices.
Summer 2021 issue 80 | 15We have celebrated our
successes, briefly mourned
the failures and come to
accept the variability in
quality and quantity that
different seasons impose.
The MacEwan’s 54-square metre vegetable garden at Lockwood South supplies an abundance of
household produce.
Soil is the key to successful home
This is a personal account of home food production on our
four-hectare property near Bendigo. I have never carried out
an economic analysis or recorded yields from our gardens
but have revelled in their proximity to our kitchen and the
freshness of the produce that we grow.
We have celebrated our successes, briefly Soils can be improved with
mourned the failures and come to accept time and care
the variability in quality and quantity that By thinking like a root, flowing like
different seasons impose. When the broad water and breathing, the gardener will
bean, courgette and tomato yields hit their understand some important functions of
peak just as the market prices bottom soil. Some soils are a gardener’s nightmare.
out you know the economics are not in Hostile soils have too much clay, are too
it – certainly not if you were paying for a sandy, too shallow, too hard or too stony.
helper. Gardening is a labour of love. The Goldilocks soils (just right) are rare but can
anticipation of future bounty is an emotional be built with time and care.
driver, as is the fresh air and exercise.
Our garden is on a north facing valley near
Understanding the soil is critical for the Bullock Creek. It has a granite derived
gardeners. As a pedologist I have been soil with some hostile qualities. Like many
lucky to get to know a lot of different soils. south-eastern Australian soils the subsoil
The soil matrix enables root exploration, is clay, tight and mottled, a rather airless,
physically supports the plants and is a suffocating environment for root growth.
Richard MacEwan enjoys a musical interlude in
his labour intensive but highly productive garden. medium for supplying water and nutrients. Sitting over this subsoil, below a thin but
The structure of this matrix is paramount. deceptively friendly loam, is a sandy, in
It is the spaces in the soil, their proportion, some places gravelly, grey ‘spew’ layer
size and connectivity that allows movement that sets hard when dry and flows like
and storage of water, diffusion of air and self-levelling cement when wet. This is
easy passage for roots. a Sunday soil – too wet to plough on
16 | victorian landcare and catchment managementLike many south-eastern
Australian soils the subsoil
is clay, tight and mottled,
a rather airless, suffocating
environment for root
growth.
Wine making equipment in the shed. Vintages have ranged from zero to 2000 litres.
food production By Richard MacEwan
Saturday, too hard to plough on Monday. controller regulates the timing of watering removed the saplings and renovated
Deep digging, gypsum, lime and organic via 25-millimetre solenoid valves from a as best we could. The dollar outlay
matter have been my greatest aids to 40-millimetre irrigation main connected to was minimal until we bought nets and
improving it. the rural water supply. I supplement with equipment.
watering from a hose or watering can. We made our first rough wine in 2003
Water supply is critical. We are fortunate to
have a 4.6-megalitre water licence of piped In summer a white 40 per cent shade in buckets with grapes the birds had left
rural supply from Coliban Water so there’s cloth with 85 per cent light transmission behind. Wine making is labour intensive.
plenty for the garden and the vines. As well supported by a marquee frame makes a Even on our small scale it takes about
as fearsomely hot summer days over 40C huge difference to plant growth. 20 days a year to maintain the vines,
the seasonal lottery can bring devastating prune, thin the shoots and leaves, mow,
frosts as late as November. We monitor We grow many herbs and a complete net, pick, make wine, bottle and clean
the progress of the vines on the Bureau of alphabet of vegetables – from asparagus the equipment. Our vintages have
Meteorology website. In four years out of through to zucchini. It is this diversity ranged from zero to 2000 litres in 2017.
16 we have lost our entire grape crop to of fresh produce that makes home In other years we filled two to four
spring frost. production satisfying. This year I have built barriques (a 225-litre barrel) of shiraz
a small greenhouse and added unprotected and cabernet sauvignon. We’ve also
Designing shade and irrigation no dig beds outside the fenced area where produced small batches of chardonnay
We have an area of 150 square metres we are trialling potatoes, broad beans, and cabernet franc.
fenced from rabbits and kangaroos. Within tomatoes, pumpkin and squash for rabbit
this area are eight 1.5-metre-wide garden resistance. Our garden is an adventure that has
beds bordered with treated pine sleepers. enriched our lives and the lives of our
Paths between the main beds were The labour of winemaking friends. It’s too small to be commercial
excavated and replaced with bluestone A few hundred vines were planted on the and, realistically, too big to be domestic.
road base. Soil from the paths was added property in the late 1980s, so we have The adventure continues inside the house
to the vegetable growing beds which now also become accidental viticulturalists and where we are creative in our cooking and
have 30 centimetres of dark friable loam. vignerons. The vines were in poor shape. preservation to make use of the abundant
The external perimeter is planted with fruit Fire had damaged the irrigation system and produce. This year we processed olives
trees on dwarf rootstock to espalier and burnt some of the posts, while gum tree for the first time, and they were great.
fan-train against the fence. saplings grew in the rows. There is always something new to grow
and taste.
Each vegetable bed and the perimeter are Friends with experience advised us to
serviced by driplines 30–40 centimetres pull out the vines and not bother with Richard MacEwan is a retired senior
apart with 1.6 litre per hour drippers wine making as it was too much work research scientist and a member of the
at 30 centimetres spacing. An irrigation and heartache. We ignored the advice, Upper Spring Creek Landcare Group.
Summer 2021 issue 80 | 17Healthy Hectares workshops target small properties
By Alandi Durling and Natasha Lobban
Wodonga Urban Landcare Network is working on a three-year project, in partnership with
the Mid Ovens Landcare Consortium (MOLC), to build the capacity of small rural property
owners to apply best practice land management principles to their land.
Sally Day presenting a Healthy Hectares workshop on understanding your landscape at Wooragee in 2020.
The project is adapted from Healthy According to Healthy Hectares North learning has been the recordings of
Hectares – a program developed by East project officer, Sophie Enders, one the workshops so they can be viewed
Goulburn Broken CMA and Euroa of the project’s biggest successes has at any time.
Arboretum. been delivering all of its intended field
According to Sophie, a small property
day topics despite the huge challenges
isn’t defined by size, rather it’s about the
of COVID-19. property use.
“The face-to-face workshops couldn’t “A small property is one where the
go ahead as planned. We had to change property owners aren’t relying on the
our delivery methods but still got all the actions on their property for their sole
information out and we were able to keep income,” she says. We left this for the
a network of people active and engaged property owners to self-determine.
during the lockdown,” Sophie said. The workshops aim to provide information
The unprecedented situation of not being on sustainably managing your property
Farm visits turned into able to meet in community locations and for now and into the future,” Sophie said.
on farms even had some advantages.
meetings via Zoom. With The presentation from ecologist, fungi
“Farm visits turned into meetings via expert and environmental photographer
distance no longer a barrier, Zoom. With distance no longer a barrier, Alison Pouliot on soils worked especially
speakers could present from speakers could present from their homes well with an online format as she was able
directly into the homes of participants.” to show her photographs to participants
their homes directly into the through screenshare. A large number of
The workshops have covered topics on participants took part and the feedback
homes of participants. planning, soils, water, and choosing and was overwhelmingly positive.
caring for livestock. Future topics will
include managing invasive pests and weeds, Sophie Enders spent a lot of time on
and attracting wildlife. her grandparent’s farm at Carboor, near
Wangaratta, when she was growing up
Twenty owners of small properties signed and went on to complete a degree in
up for the full program with additional wildlife and conservation biodiversity.
casual participants picking up specific She is very positive about the Healthy
sessions. The other advantage of online Hectares project, believing it is possible
18 | victorian landcare and catchment managementAlandi Durling from the Mid Ovens Landcare Consortium (right) and Anne Stelling from Wodonga Urban Landcare Network inspecting a small rural
property at Myrtleford that runs dorper sheep.
to farm successfully while still being Bright and many places in between. a local version full of useful knowledge
sustainable and leaving room for native There has been a diverse mix of and resources.
birds and wildlife. participants including retirees, established
Natasha Lobban is a journalist and farmer
farmers and even those with large
“I came off a family property where from Eldorado. Alandi Durling is the Local
residential blocks.
biodiversity and conservation were always Landcare Facilitator for MOLC. Alandi’s
encouraged, back to my grandfather’s The workshops encourage participants to position is funded through the Victorian
generation, so I learnt these lessons from engage with Landcare and other local groups Landcare Facilitator Program. For copies
an early age,” she said. so they can continue their learning journey. of the North East Healthy Hectares Guide
Sophie has been encouraged by the reach Sophie has adjusted the Healthy Hectares go to www.wodongalandcare.org.au For
of the program. Participants have come booklet created by the Goulburn Broken more information about Healthy Hectares
from Wangaratta, Beechworth, Albury, CMA and Euroa Arboretum to produce email healthyhectaresne@gmail.com
The workshops have covered
topics on planning, soils,
water, and choosing and
caring for livestock. Future
topics will include managing
invasive pests and weeds,
and attracting wildlife.
The last Healthy Hectares workshop in July 2020 before COVID-19 restrictions.
Summer 2021 issue 80 | 19Small-scale agriculture in Japan By Rob Youl
Australian Landcare International (ALI), now called Global Landcare, has worked closely with
SPELJ, the Secretariat for Promoting Landcare in Japan, for more than a decade. Japanese
students and academics have travelled between both countries and in 2017 a Landcare
conference was held in Nagoya.
Australia differs so much from Japan, with its
monocultural urban population, deeply held
traditions and long-established institutions.
In 2019, ALI won a grant of $18,000
from the Australia-Japan Foundation for an
agroforestry exchange to Honshu to swap
ideas on land management. To reconnoitre
delivery of the grant I visited Japan in
February 2020 – just before COVID-19
closed the world.
The first stop involved a few days planning
in Nagoya with Professor Kazuki Kagohashi
from Nanzan University’s Institute for
Social Ethics. We then visited a forestry
co-operative at Shinshiro together. The
co-operative manages 150 privately owned
forests ranging from 0.1 to 10 hectares. A
10-hectare estate is rare and considered
substantial. Most of the forests are inherited
and not valued highly as low timber prices
and high rates and taxes have made them
unprofitable. Good contractors are on hand From this small plot in the hills of Central Honshu Mr Matsuzawa, a 73-year-old organic farmer,
and the district’s annual cut is an impressive educates his fellow citizens on soil health and carbon sequestration.
80,000 cubic metres. Mapping of the forests
is difficult due to the mediaeval boundaries.
Mr Matsuzawa, who lives on the property The group has controlled the major
Nearby, in a high sunny valley, we walked in a 300-year-old cottage. weed, Chinese bamboo, and replanted
up a steep track to a three-hectare organic the site with indigenous trees, shrubs
farm dedicated to regenerative agriculture Rice is harvested from Mr Matsuzawa’s tiny
unploughed paddies. There were timber and understorey. The council supplies a
and community education on soil health chipping crew from time to time. Managing
and biodiversity. From time to time trees, fruit trees, including apples, nashi,
persimmons, grapefruit and oranges and incursions of deer and pigs is a challenge.
volunteers help the 73-year-old farmer,
numerous small plots of vegetables, especially I was impressed by the use of bug beds –
giant radishes – daikon used for chicken rectangles of bamboo staves holding back
food. The farm boasted 350 edible crops piles of rotting chipped bamboo for insects
in all, many of which are weeds – herbs and to feed on, breed in and use as shelter.
shrubs with edible components, along with Shitake and other mushroom varieties
poultry. According to Mr Matsuzawa, wild grew abundantly, and many tits flitted
pigs are a problem, but the very dense through the scrub.
root zones of his pasture defied the pigs’
I told the group about the Landcare
rooting capacities. Monkeys are a nuisance
elsewhere, but apparently not here. projects at Westgate Park near my home
in South Melbourne. Despite the bamboo
I then travelled to the environmentally and shitake mushrooms in my shadow,
progressive city of Toyama on the west the broad rice paddies below, and the
coast where fingers of farmland and forest Shinkansen railway and city skyline in the
extend well into the suburbs. I visited a distance, I assured them the two projects
rural Landcare project on the outskirts of had much in common.
board the city where I met the Kintaro Club,
From left, Tokoyo journalist and SPELJ
Rob Youl, organic famer a group of volunteer retirees who are Rob Youl is deputy chair of Global
member Miho Ito,
and
Mr Matsuzawa holding a giant radish, revegetating a three-hectare clearing on a Landcare. For more information email
Professor Kazuki Kagohashi. west-facing forested ridge. robmyoul@gmail.com
20 | victorian landcare and catchment managementYou can also read
