HMI’s first Australian Open Gate took place at Kandanga Farm, in Queensland. 82 adults and 10 children joined facilitator and Holistic Management Certified Educator Jason Virtue to hear about the benefits of Holistic Management from those that currently use the framework. Presenters included Kandanga Farm owners Tim and Amber Scott, Nick and Vanessa Hughes from Red Cedar Ridge Farm, Susan Rodgers of Eumundi Beef, and Michael and Anna Henbury of Melsted Park.
Participants in the event ranged from both full and part time farmers, as well as food consumers who are committed to purchasing locally grown and raised, nutrient dense food. Also in attendance were a number of people looking to get into agriculture in some form. There were also a few people who had heard about Holistic Management and wanted to learn more.
Key topics shared throughout the day included the following:
You can produce quality food without applying chemicals and fertilizers to your plants and animals and soils.
It is the management of the soil surface and the plants on it that determines the effectiveness of the rain water that falls on the land.
The health and the management of the plants on the soil is indivisible from the health and capacity for the soil.
No matter how much land you have, you can be a food producer.
Local production is critical to feeding the local community.
Planning of grass production in the growing season makes life and business in the non-growing season much easier.
There are many new farmers in the local area that are keen and willing to share their experience.
Conventional production models for small scale farming do not work any more
Jason also explained to participants how planned grazing works and how the plants respond both above and below the soil. He also explained how, with planned grazing, herds do not remain in one paddock division or area for a long period of time and that after the herd is moved, the plants then recover from the grazing and the impact that the animals have briefly inflicted on that bit of land.
We'd also like to thank BOS Rural Supplies, Country Noosa and Landlife Education for helping to make this day possible.
Here are some of the results from Kandanga Farm Day:
Here's what some of the participants had to say about the day:
"Great."
"Fantastic."
"Very honest approach by all presenters."
"Very helpful. Well organized."
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 you, 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.
October 14-16, 2016 | Paicines Ranch in Paicines, California
