AFTER four disruptive years of on–again, off–again field days, workshops, demonstrations and courses, the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network (UGLN) ran the last of its "Growing Regenerative Farming Systems" field days in Bonnie Doon on June 5.
The final session hosted by Erik and Carolyn Suggate at their property, "Eat Local Eat Wild", was an opportunity to learn more about regenerative agriculture, which comprises farming principles that focus on the entire ecosystem of the farm, which ‘regenerate‘ resources rather than deplete them.
"It was fantastic to host this farm day – so many great people, connections and knowledge sharing," said Carolyn.
More than 25 participants attended the day, some locals and others from further afield.
According to Carolyn, a cross–section of attendees were interested in organic farming and regenerative practices, including larger landholders such as "Murrindindi Station" to those on smaller acreages and nearby neighbours who wanted to understand what it was all about.
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Dan Kelton from Alexandra‘s "Holistic Pastoral" shared about his pastured chickens and his regenerative mobile farming operation.
Dan expanded on co–farming or "shared farming systems", and Carolyn explained how their property provided space for his chickens as part of a "circular relationship exchange".
Dan‘s story is an interesting concept where the land his family farms is "borrowed, traded or leased" to benefit landowners with revitalised pastures and paddocks.
Carolyn said co–farming also leads the conversation around addressing housing shortages in rural areas.
Participants also learned some practical skills, such as soil testing, that they could replicate on their land to monitor soil quality.
A walk among the cows and recently weaned calves was the perfect opportunity to share the Suggates‘ regenerative beef journey, including their rotational beef system and soft weaning program.
"...plus, also our pasture regeneration program – that is in progress as we speak," Carolyn said.
During lunch, there was a discussion about growing hops versus brewing, and Carolyn is proud to be growing the hops organically.
Lunch was followed by a walk to the opposite end of the 100–acre farm to discuss biodiversity and their planting program.
This part of the property is ungrazed with deep "litter" and home to 1300 trees of 37 different species.
The knowledge of Tolmie nurseryman Andrew Story and his partner Ali was instrumental in planning the appropriate trees for that space, said Carolyn.
Small, medium and large trees were planted to help create ecosystems.
One concerning topic discussed was the emerging problem of feral pigs and deer in the area, which Carolyn described as "highly destructive".
She believed field days such as this one provided a chance for local landholders to come together to create a "coordinated approach" to the problem as her community has done.
There was also plenty of interest in on–site processing, as provided by Ryan Cowley, who operates Ryan‘s Mobile Meat Processing.
He spoke about his ethical on–farm animal processing business, which services Bonnie Doon and surrounding areas.
The field days‘ project was developed by UGLN and Goulburn Murray Landcare Network following expressions of interest by many farmers and land managers in both areas to learn more about and potentially adopt more regenerative farming practices, with events held around Alexandra, Buxton and Bonnie Doon.
UGLN facilitator Cat Thomas is keen to build on the project‘s success and said, "We hope to secure more funding to keep the momentum and interest going."
"Quite a few of the farmers have organised their own peer support groups and feel more motivated and inspired after touching base with each other; it can be a lonely journey when you are doing something very differently to how your neighbours are doing it," she said.
