From Goats to Geese, to Gardening - we had a great convo with today's guest, Shane Simonson. Shane runs his blog and philosophy of "Zero Input Agriculture" and works it like an evolving science experiment. He is only too happy to share the information he learns and you can read his experience in its rawest form. We covered a lot of topics including his love of animals and his passion for seed saving.

Rather than me telling you about Shane, it's probably best in his own words:

"My lifelong love of plants and biology led me to a career in research biochemistry, but my growing awareness about the challenges ahead for industrial civilisation prompted me to change gears and become a full time experimental farmer in 2017. Since then I have turned our piece of clapped out ex-dairy country into a chaotic petri dish where different crops are put to the test. Only those that are able to thrive and produce with zero irrigation, zero imported fertility and zero mechanical maintenance win the game. While I grow a wide range of vegetables my main interests lie in staple crops (especially starch tuber crops like Queensland arrowroot) and tree crops (like our magnificent local bunya nuts, which I believe with a little breeding work have vastly more potential than our recently domesticated macadamias). In between all that I find time to manage our small dairy goat herd and hybrid goose flock, and experiment with fibre crops including cotton, bamboo, and our local giant spear lily. I blog regularly at www.zeroinputagriculture.com about my experiences with different crops, techniques, book reviews, and lunatic philosophical musings when the mood takes me (which is often)."

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#SupportLocal #BuyFreeRange #DemandRealFood 

Credits: Production by 'MAV marketing' 

Hosted by Dan Vanderhoek - Eco & Lifestyle Property Specialist 

Guest was Dr Shane Simonsen

Music by @DanielRaymxnd

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Mentions:

• Zero Input Agriculture 

www.zeroinputagriculture.com

• Seeds can be purchased at:

Cooran shops, Kandanga Farm Store and via Shane’s website.

• Books:

Gardening When It Counts, by Steve Solomon 

https://www.booktopia.com.au/gardening-when-it-counts-steve-solomon/book/9780865715530.html

Restoration Agriculture, by Mark Shepard 

https://www.booktopia.com.au/restoration-agriculture-mark-shepard/book/9781601730350.html

The One-Straw Revolution, by Masanobu Fukuoka

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-one-straw-revolution-masanobu-fukuoka/book/9781590173138.html

• Podcast:

https://abundantedge.com/