Big Shift For Small Farms

Agricultural production relies on natural ecosystems, but, the more we modify our landscapes, the less resilient they become, resulting in reduced production.

Balancing the needs of both is crucial to meet the demands of increasing yields without further compromising the environment. So how do we do this? Well, the good news is that farming methods that work with nature can achieve great production outcomes and incentives for landscape restoration are available.

So in this episode we’ll talk to some passionate producers, ecologists and number crunchers about our environment’s true value and how land managers can be rewarded for working with nature.

With thanks to: 

Anika Molesworth

https://www.anikamolesworth.com/

Nicole Masters

https://www.integritysoils.co.nz/

David Carr

http://stringybarkecological.com.au/

Adrian Ward

https://www.accountingfornature.org/

Rowan Foley 

https://www.abcfoundation.org.au/

Produced by the Grow Love Project in collaboration with NSW Local Land Services

Most of us know that increasing carbon in the soil has many benefits and with interest in carbon farming growing, our latest episode of The Big Shift Podcast explores how to increase carbon in the soil and the opportunities available for farmers.

First up in this episode we explore the science of soil carbon with Dr Susan Orgill followed by a chat with Dr Lorraine Gordon about her journey into carbon farming and how it could be the crop of the future.

Susan Orgill, Leader Soils R&D South at NSW Department of Primary

https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/research-development/staff/staff-profiles/susan-orgill

Cameron Smith, Farm Manager

Kate Carmichael, Soilkee

https://soilkee.com.au/

Lorraine Gordon

https://www.scu.edu.au/regenerativeag/about/team/

For most people, weeds are a dirty word. They’re often talked about as an undesirable plant in the wrong place. And whilst it's true that some species left unmanaged can cause ecological problems, what if weeds are actually trying to tell us something. Something about that place where they’ve shown up that we don’t know about yet. So in this episode we hear from weed whisperers and what they’re saying is don’t blame the messenger because the messenger might actually be part of the solution.

Thank you to all those who shared their knowledge with all of us:

Nicole Masters https://www.integritysoils.co.nz/

Hamish MacKay  https://biodynamics2024.com.au/workshops/

James Barnet RCS https://www.rcsaustralia.com.au/

Clare Edwards https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-tablelands

The Greater Sydney Regional Weed Management Plan

https://tinyurl.com/yffmjv8d

Plant Net

https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/

Please listen, rate and share this episode. Thank you.

This podcast has been produced by the Grow Love Project with support from Greater Sydney Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

We acknowledge the First People of this land and recognise their connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

We have dramatically changed the landscape by digging dams, introducing feral animals and clearing native habitat. These actions have created the perfect environment for certain species to thrive including mice, foxes and rabbits, which come with a range of challenges for farmers. So in this episode we’re going to hear about some of the ways we can control these pests and move closer to nature.

Please listen, rate and share the episode. 

With thanks to the following people for sharing their knowledge in this episode:

Brian Wehlburg https://www.insideoutsidemgt.com.au

David Brook  https://wildbnb.com.au

Lee Parker  https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/south-east/key-projects/every-bit-counts/resources/pest-animals

Emma Sawyers https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity

Peter West https://www.feralscan.org.au

Credits

This podcast has been produced by the Grow Love Project with support from Greater Sydney Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

Small scale farmers are faced with a lot of pressures, from climate change on farm to competition in the marketplace. In this episode we’re hearing from farmers and producers about Australian made emerging opportunities, from climate tolerant native bush foods to economically sustainable bespoke dairy products. Not only can they help farm business but also the broader community and our planet.

Guests featured in this episode include:

Cressida Cains, Dairy Cocoon https://www.pecoradairy.com.au/

Chris Andrew, Black Duck Foods https://blackduckfoods.org/

Josh Gilbert, Indigenous agriculturalist http://www.gilbertjoshuam.com/

Tim Wimbourne, Braidwood Food Company https://www.braidwoodfood.com/

Credits

This podcast has been produced by the Grow Love Project with support from Greater Sydney Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

Many of our listeners in NSW have been heavily impacted by recent flooding at the end of March this year. In the Hawkesbury-Nepean river region of Western Sydney, it caught many by surprise peaking at a staggering 12.9 metres, with water engulfing properties and homes.

So in this episode we’re bringing you a special recording at a field day on flood recovery hosted by Greater Sydney Local Land Services at their demonstration farm in April. Our producer Olivia Ralph was there to capture some insights from the event.

Thanks to Alana, Amy and Tom for sharing their stories.

Others featured in this episode:

Adam Little, Senior agronomist and livestock specialist - Ace Ohlsson Elders

Neil Griffiths, Agronomist and pasture specialist - Hunter Local Land Services

Richard Stephens, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator - Greater Sydney Local Land Services

Stock that has been in floodwater should be monitored closely to ensure they are eating and watched for signs of disease.

Download a copy of our guide to assist landholders to care for livestock in flood https://bit.ly/39dHVc2

Please contact your local LLS veterinarian on 1300 795 299 for further advice, or if you notice any signs of disease or illness.

Credits

This podcast has been produced by the Grow Love Project with support from Greater Sydney Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

In this episode we’re talking about emergency management. We’ll hear from field officers and researchers about the importance of making plans and keeping yourself in check. We will then chat to a farmer who’s using animals as a tool to reduce his fire risk. So let’s get planning. 

Thank you to all our guests who featured in this episode:

Kirsty and Andrew Hambrook, Terrewah Farm - terrewahfarm.com.au

Linda Hanlon, Senior Land Services Officer, Local Land Services

Pet Passport - ses.nsw.gov.au/media/3665/greater-sydney-local-land-services_20pp-a5-booklet_kids-passport_generic.pdf

Mel Taylor, Associate Professor, Macquarie University

Blue Arc - Blue Mountains Animal Ready Community - facebook.com/groups/1045349658940538

Aaron Brocken, Harvest Farms - facebook.com/HarvestFarmsBilpin

Now according to The Economist Newspaper, the world’s most valuable resource is no longer oil, but data. And what makes it valuable is what we do with it.  In this episode we’ll get some tips from farming consultants about how to use data to improve your management both in the paddock and on your balance sheet. And we’ll find out why owning a bird book is a sign that business is going well. Guests featured in this episode include:

Mark Gardner, Business consultant - Vanguard Business Services - vbs.net.au

Sarah Nolet, CEO - farmers2founders.com

Graham Hand, Farm consultant and educator - handfortheland.com

Greg Sharp, Managing Partner - Barrington Accounting - barringtonata.com.au

Episode produced by growloveproject.com

More and more consumers want to buy why you farm as much as what you produce. In this episode we’re looking at the power of your story. We’ll talk to farmers about their journey from small business to becoming a brand and we’ll hear about a platform that’s been built to help farmers not only sell their products but promote their farming practices.

Guests featured in this episode include:

Lisa Papallo, Marketing expert and founder of fairfoodie.com.au

Angus Maurice, Farmer - farmerbrownspasturedeggs.com.au

Erica and Hayden Watson - Farmers, Epicurian Harvest

Luke Winder, Farmer - tathraplacefreerange.com

Episode produced by growloveproject.com

In Australia we grow a lot of introduced livestock species like cows, pigs, sheep and chooks. So in this episode we’re looking at how to care for your livestock mindfully. We’ll hear from a grazing management consultant about why looking after your landscape could save you big bucks and improve not only your livestock’s health but your own wellbeing too.

In this episode we hear from:

Charlie Arnott - Farmer - charliearnott.com.au

James Barnet - Grazing management consultant - rcsaustralia.com.au

Joe Kovacek - Farm manager - westernsydney.edu.au/environmental_sustainability/home/hawkesbury_farm

Cressida Cains - Farmer - pecoradairy.com.au

Episode produced by Grow Love Project