On Saturday the 25th of July the Country Women’s Association of NSW Gwydir Group will be holding an Agriculture and Environment Day at the School of Arts Hall in Bundarra with the theme being “Celebrating sustainable farming and environmental stewardship”.
As we look to the future we are presented with many challenges including the depletion of our soils, the depletion of nutrients in the food we are eating and the degradation of our environment.
We have put together a fantastic day featuring key note speakers which will open our minds and show us their experience in regenerative farming and gardening techniques, address the challenges that we face now and in the future and enable us to co-create a better future for coming generations.
Our featured key note speakers are:
Kim Deans, Agroecologist – “Bringing Soils to Life” encourages us to look at our soil which is the foundation of life. How healthy soil is the foundation of productive gardens, farms, resilient landscapes and thriving ecosystems.
We will explore what makes soil healthy, why living soil matters and how the life below ground supports everything above it.
Dr Jane Pickard – “Designing Resilient & Regenerative Landscapes in the New England”. Dr Jane Pickard has studied and taught marine biology, evolution, freshwater systems, permaculture and horticulture.
She currently co-owns a 40 acre property west of Armidale where they are developing agroforestry systems for food production, biodiversity and climate resilience. Food security in our region currently depends on long supply chains from cities. How can we increase the amount of food produced and consumed locally while also rebuilding biodiversity and climate resilience?
Alison & Steve Heagney, Evergrow Companies Farm and the Evergrow Farm Hub – “Natural Farming and Nutrition”. Steve is a farmer, inventor, trainer and builder who is 100% passionate about food security. Not just food though, real food, the type that your grandparents would have
had on their farm. Before regenerative, organic and modern farming terms were coined there was natural farming, creating food by making use of the natural gifts available to us and Steve has invented some nifty things that assist small holders in doing this in ways that involve less labour
than traditional methods. Alison is a passionate sourdough baker, cook and preserver. She will show us how to make the most of freshly grown produce and how growing foods naturally in soil provides better nutrition than that provided by commercial agriculture.
Johanes Meier, Danthonia Farm – “Regenerative Agriculture on our Farm”. Danthonia Farm stands as a living example of a Christian community which lives, works and worships together. Over the past two decades Danthonia has used regenerative agriculture to restore the farmland,
to build in climate resilience and increased production. We will go on a journey with Johanes to hear about the challenges, successes and learning from their experience.
Brendan Moylan, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Regional Crime – “Local Issues”. Brendan, our local member will be taking to us about local issues, the challenges we face and share his insights into the things that really matter to our community.
Andrew Scott, Uralla Shire Council Biosecurity Officer – “Escaped Garden Plants”. Andrew will be giving us a presentation about the growing impact of garden escapee plants around the region. This presentation will give landholders, gardeners and community members a better understanding about how everyday plant choices can affect surrounding farms and native landscapes.
We will be having a Wattle Seed inspired lunch to celebrate Wattle Seed as our primary product.
We are catering to special dietary needs with vegetarian / vegan meals and gluten free options available.
The cost of the day is $20 which includes lunch.
Booking are essential for catering purposes.
For more information contact Andrea Robinson 0451857216
Media Release: Country Women’s Association of NSW Gwydir Group
