For The Love Of Trees

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Mike Robinson Koss leads a conversation with leaders and members of the Otway Agroforestry Network at the 2026 Grounded Festival (https://groundedaustralia.com.au/grounded-festival-2026/). 

Topics include the origins of the network and future directions.  The conversation took place in front of an audience in the Understory tent and was titled "Agroforestry Makes Sense".

Find out more about the OAN at https://oan.org.au/  

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This episode was recorded at the GROUNDED Festival 2026, held at Yan Yan Gurt West Farm in Deans Marsh, Victoria, Australia.  We thank Grounded for the permission to reproduce it on our channel.  We recommend you take a look at their Grounded Live channel where you will find all the presentations from the Festival.

In this talk, trained forester and agroforestry pioneer Rowan Reid explores the role of trees on the family farm.  Drawing on more than three decades of experience growing trees and working alongside landholders across Australia, Rowan shares practical insights into integrating forestry with productive agriculture.  Whether you're interested in shelter, biodiversity, timber or creating a more resilient farming system, this session offers plenty to think about.

Find out more about the OAN at https://oan.org.au/  

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One of a series of interviews with Otway Agroforestry Network members.  

Find out why people plant trees, what benefits they gain and how they overcome obstacles.   

Episode 3:  Matthias

A video version can be accessed on our website oan.org.au

Find out more about the OAN at https://oan.org.au/  

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One of a series of interviews with Otway Agroforestry Network members.  

Find out why people plant trees, what benefits they gain and how they overcome obstacles.   

Episode 2:  David

A video version can be accessed on our website oan.org.au

Find out more about the OAN at https://oan.org.au/  

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One of a series of interviews with Otway Agroforestry Network members.  

Find out why people plant trees, what benefits they gain and how they overcome obstacles.   

Episode 1:  John and Karen

A video version can be accessed on our website oan.org.au

Find out more about the OAN at https://oan.org.au/  

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OAN (Otway Agroforestry Network Ltd) is a Landcare group based in southwest Victoria, Australia.  

The Network educates and encourages landholders to establish and manage trees on their properties for all the reasons important to the landholder whether it be for sheltering farm stock and crops, controlling soil erosion and dryland salinity, enhancing property values, sequestering carbon generating alternative sources of income and all the while reaping many and varied environmental benefits for the property and the wider community.  

For over 27 years of mentoring landscape change, it is clearly evident that the OAN approach is working.

Find out more about the OAN at https://oan.org.au/  

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What gets us up in the morning?  What makes us tick?  Why are we doing the things we do on our properties?  Why do we love what we do?  In this episode, members of the OAN discuss aesthetics, wellbeing, livelihoods, capital value, listening to the birds and enjoying the work we do on our farms.

Find out more about the OAN at https://oan.org.au/  

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The Otway Agroforestry Network is a vibrant community run Landcare group that encourages farmers to establish and manage trees for reasons important to them- to shelter stock and crops; control soil erosion and dryland salinity; provide environmental services; enhance property values; and, if at all possible, generate alternative sources of income. 

After 27 years of active community engagement, it is clearly evident that our approach is working and leading to landscape change.

Find out more about the OAN at https://oan.org.au/  

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The Otway Agroforestry Network encourages landowners to plant their trees and shrubs for reasons that are important to them.  

It can be a whole range of reasons and services from biodiversity to carbon sequestration, from fire protection to animal welfare, from shade and shelter to mill logs.  The sky’s the limit!

Find out more about the OAN at https://oan.org.au/  

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The panel discussion in this episode looks at the whole idea of what “forestry” is and how farmers are growing forest products that suit their individual needs and are inspiring others to think outside the box!  Biochar, firewood, cut flowers, seed products, native foods, shiitake mushrooms are just some of the products discussed.

Find out more about the OAN at https://oan.org.au/