Big Shift For Small Farms Grow Love Project

You know that phrase if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Now, depending on which Wikipedia entry you read, either Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin or Aristotle or a bunch of other people said it. But the point is, planning is a good thing to do. It helps you identify and reach your goals, realise your vision for your property, and what lifestyle you want to leave. We've actually produced a few episodes on the topic. One on farm planning principles and planning for emergencies, which looks at flood and bushfire preparedness. But in this episode we're taking a look at a farm planning package of tools that Greater Sydney Local Land Services has produced for landowners and managers. It includes a workbook, self-assessment quiz and  mapping tool to make this process easier. We'll hear from some new farmers who've trialed the tools to help them get their ideas out of their head and onto some paper or in the computer, and also help them think about stuff that wasn't even on their radar.  But first we’re going to get some farm planning fundamentals from coach Kim Deans. Let's get planning.

The workbook and self assessment resources are available to download on the LLS website 

https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/greater-sydney/key-projects/small-farms-network/property-planning-resources

Thank you to all our guests:

Richard Stephens and Madeleine Florin from Greater Sydney Local Land Services 

Kim Deans https://www.reinventingagriculture.com.au/kim-deans

Kirrily Smith, Farmer

David Adderton, Farmer

Agricultural production relies on natural ecosystems, but, the more we modify our landscapes, the less resilient they become, resulting in reduced production.

Balancing the needs of both is crucial to meet the demands of increasing yields without further compromising the environment. So how do we do this? Well, the good news is that farming methods that work with nature can achieve great production outcomes and incentives for landscape restoration are available.

So in this episode we’ll talk to some passionate producers, ecologists and number crunchers about our environment’s true value and how land managers can be rewarded for working with nature.

With thanks to: 

Anika Molesworth

https://www.anikamolesworth.com/

Nicole Masters

https://www.integritysoils.co.nz/

David Carr

http://stringybarkecological.com.au/

Adrian Ward

https://www.accountingfornature.org/

Rowan Foley 

https://www.abcfoundation.org.au/



Produced by the Grow Love Project in collaboration with NSW Local Land Services

Most of us know that increasing carbon in the soil has many benefits and with interest in carbon farming growing, our latest episode of The Big Shift Podcast explores how to increase carbon in the soil and the opportunities available for farmers.

First up in this episode we explore the science of soil carbon with Dr Susan Orgill followed by a chat with Dr Lorraine Gordon about her journey into carbon farming and how it could be the crop of the future.

Susan Orgill, Leader Soils R&D South at NSW Department of Primary

https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/research-development/staff/staff-profiles/susan-orgill

Cameron Smith, Farm Manager

Kate Carmichael, Soilkee

https://soilkee.com.au/

Lorraine Gordon

https://www.scu.edu.au/regenerativeag/about/team/

For most people, weeds are a dirty word. They’re often talked about as an undesirable plant in the wrong place. And whilst it's true that some species left unmanaged can cause ecological problems, what if weeds are actually trying to tell us something. Something about that place where they’ve shown up that we don’t know about yet. So in this episode we hear from weed whisperers and what they’re saying is don’t blame the messenger because the messenger might actually be part of the solution.

Thank you to all those who shared their knowledge with all of us:

Nicole Masters https://www.integritysoils.co.nz/

Hamish MacKay  https://biodynamics2024.com.au/workshops/

James Barnet RCS https://www.rcsaustralia.com.au/

Clare Edwards https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/central-tablelands

The Greater Sydney Regional Weed Management Plan

https://tinyurl.com/yffmjv8d

Plant Net

https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/



Please listen, rate and share this episode. Thank you.

This podcast has been produced by the Grow Love Project with support from Greater Sydney Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

We acknowledge the First People of this land and recognise their connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

We have dramatically changed the landscape by digging dams, introducing feral animals and clearing native habitat. These actions have created the perfect environment for certain species to thrive including mice, foxes and rabbits, which come with a range of challenges for farmers. So in this episode we’re going to hear about some of the ways we can control these pests and move closer to nature.

Please listen, rate and share the episode. 

With thanks to the following people for sharing their knowledge in this episode:

Brian Wehlburg https://www.insideoutsidemgt.com.au

David Brook  https://wildbnb.com.au

Lee Parker  https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/south-east/key-projects/every-bit-counts/resources/pest-animals

Emma Sawyers https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity

Peter West https://www.feralscan.org.au

Credits

This podcast has been produced by the Grow Love Project with support from Greater Sydney Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

Small scale farmers are faced with a lot of pressures, from climate change on farm to competition in the marketplace. In this episode we’re hearing from farmers and producers about Australian made emerging opportunities, from climate tolerant native bush foods to economically sustainable bespoke dairy products. Not only can they help farm business but also the broader community and our planet.

Guests featured in this episode include:

Cressida Cains, Dairy Cocoon https://www.pecoradairy.com.au/

Chris Andrew, Black Duck Foods https://blackduckfoods.org/

Josh Gilbert, Indigenous agriculturalist http://www.gilbertjoshuam.com/

Tim Wimbourne, Braidwood Food Company https://www.braidwoodfood.com/



Credits

This podcast has been produced by the Grow Love Project with support from Greater Sydney Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.