‍Event details

‍Date: Tuesday 4 May 2021, 9:30am - 3pm.

Venue/s: Workshop (morning) at Stradbroke Hall, South Gippsland Highway, Stradbroke (Map here) and farm walk (after lunch) at Merriman Park, Mowats Lane, Stradbroke West (Map here)

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About the workshop

The recent drought, floods and bushfires have had a devastating impact on the landscape with loss of vegetation, topsoil and subsequent erosion affecting many farmers. This workshop will address the issue of water resilience on farm and look at the ways land managers can buffer the extremes of drought and flood with thoughtful planning and management.

Topics will include:

• Water and carbon cycles, thermodynamics and regulating the temperature on your farm.
• Slowing water movement and retaining water in the landscape using swales, leaky weirs, vegetation, ground cover management and grazing.
• Options for improving soil health, water security and water storage on farm.

A farm walk at a nearby grazing property where you can explore how to apply these concepts and see some of them in action.

Presenter: Peter Hazell, Project Coordinator at The Mulloon Institute.

Peter has nearly 30 years experience working in community-based natural resource management. He has worked with all levels of government, as well as in the research, business and community sectors. Specialising in Landscape Planning, Landscape Regeneration, Water Science, Ecology, Geomorphology, community-based NRM and policy analysis, Peter is responsible for the implementation of the catchment scale Mulloon Rehydration Initiative. He was an Australian Government NRM Facilitator (Landcare and Biodiversity) and the first Landcare Coordinator in the Upper Shoalhaven Catchment, NSW. He and his wife, Donna are also currently rehabilitating a 374ha farm in the Mongarlowe watershed, NSW based on principles of regenerative agriculture.

Farm walk hosts: Justin and Melissa Ainsworth, Merriman Park.

Justin and Melissa's 350 acre property is testament to their passion for landcare. Active members of the Merriman Creek Landcare Group and keenly involved in the Yarram Yarram Landcare Network, they have revegetated and fenced off their section of Merriman Creek, covenanted 40 acres of remnant vegetation and created large shelter belts and wildlife corridors. Their use of chicken litter to help improve their soil health and productivity has developed into a business, providing and spreading the product for others.

Event hosts: This event is proudly brought to you by Wellington Shire Council and Maffra & Districts Landcare Network's Wellington Weed and Pest Animal Control (WWePAC) project, funded by the Australian Government.