On August 31, 45 producers and consumers gathered at the “Colorado Farm” near Caroona, New South Wales, Australia to learn about how good grazing practices improve soils and pastures (and why that’s good for consumers as well as producers). Holistic Management practitioners Derek and Kirrily Blomfield own and manage “Colorado” and they share how Holistic Management has helped them improve the land and improve the profitability of their business. These people influence 66,792 acres.
Also on the agenda for the day was a report on the Liverpool Plains Land Management’s “RAIN OOO Project” by Barbara Gallagher. This program helps farmers learn regenerative agriculture techniques and implement change on their farms. This event was facilitated by Holistic Management Certified Educator Judi Earl who also taught participants the principles of Holistic Planned Grazing. Chook Kealey also shared the key principles to low-stress stockhandling and how that can improve animal performance.
In the afternoon, the Blomfields led a farm tour to show how they had successfully returned cropped paddocks to grassland, as well as restoring gullies, and developed their fencing and water infrastructure to improve grazing management. Lastly, Judi Earl involved participants in learning how to monitor biodiversity and assess pasture productivity.
The key outcomes for this event include that 75% of participants said they planned to change management practices as a result of this program. The area they influence is 31,150 acres. They noted they would be looking at replanning fences and reassessing paddock areas so they are better able to manage pasture growth and allow for more plant recovery. Overall there was a 97% satisfaction rate and 93% of the participants said they would recommend this event to others.
This Open Gate event was funded by the Australian National Landcare Programme. Thanks to the Blomfields for sharing their farm and providing the tasty grassfed beef for lunch. And thanks to our other sponsors and collaborators including the Liverpool Plains Land Management and the Tamworth Regional Landcare Programme.
is no ordinary conference! HMI invites you to beautiful Paicines Ranch in Paicines, California for our 2016 Gathering. Let’s grow together through a field day at the innovative ranch, fine dining, farm-fresh local foods and sessions on numerous health, food and sustainable topics that matter to
making this an event you won’t forget.
Connect with innovative, solution-oriented and passionate farmers, ranchers, conservationists, authors, natural food/health professionals and our own Holistic Management community. Our special keynote speaker, “America’s Most Famous Farmer” himself, Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms, will be sure to inspire us all.