Funds: $13,181
Source: Community Action Grant
Contract: CAG09-00502
The 'Soil Health Forum' Group hosted an information stand at the 2010 and 2011 New England Wool Expos, which attracted approximately 2000 people. As well as this, the Group hosted a stand at the 2010 Sustainable Living Expo (SLEX), which attracted approximately 3000 people. These three events provided the opportunity for landholders to access information about reducing chemical inputs to soil while increasing carbon sequestration and mineralisation by means of compost and compost tea.
A ‘Granite Soil Trial’ has been implemented in the Balala area. The trial will be run in partnership with the Balala/Brushgrove Landcare Group. The trial has been designed by retired UNE agricultural scientist, John Davidson. The trial will explore the potential benefits of adding different blends of bentonite, zeolite and compost to the naturally highly porous and low nutrient soils of the Balala area. On the 5th of September 2010, 25 people from the Balala area gathered at the site to assist in the fencing of plots and the spreading of Bentonite treatments. The day was well received by the attendees and regional Landcare members will be regularly informed of the progress with the trial. The trial will continue to be monitored by the Balala-Brushgrove Landcare group until 2013.
In December 2010, this project facilitated a Grazing Management Workshop at Kentucky, NSW. This one day workshop provided participants with increased knowledge innovative approaches to grazing management. Participants learnt how to measure herbage mass in their paddock and the importance of maintaining 100% ground cover. Participants also learnt about animal management in a grazing system, how to better understand their soils and how good soil health influences pasture growth, species composition and animal production.
In May 2011, the project ran a one day “Fundamentals of Soil” workshop with Dr Christine Jones and Garry McDouall. This event was very well attended with more than 110 people taking part in the day. This included a bus load of people travelling from Stanthorpe, QLD. Participants learnt about regenerative and sustainable land practices. Participants also gained knowledge in the areas of soil health, specifically nutrient availability in soils, water holding capacity and soil carbon. The feedback from individuals attending the workshop has been very positive with more than 95% of evaluations received stating that their understanding of soil health had increased and that they would implement skills learnt on the day in their own farming practices.
