'Let’s make the Fleurieu the epicentre of regenerative farming,' was the premise of a sold out community event held on Sunday 10 November at the Mount Compass Football Club.

Hosted by Ideas on the Fleurieu, the guest speakers comprised regenerative agriculture ambassadors, innovators and scientists who presented opportunities that could change the face of farming on the Fleurieu and by doing so restore health to the earth and reverse climate change.

Ambitious? Not at all, according to the panel, whose collective message is that regenerative farming is the best way forward for the planet and people.

Within three years Kat Snoswell from Falkai Farms saw porous sandy soil turn rich and fertile. Kat produces pastured eggs from chickens that range free, naturally. There are no fences so the chooks scratch and peck where they like, protected by Maremma dogs and a mobile trailer, which is moved to fresh pasture twice a week.

The benefits are profound.

The little dust baths the chickens create act like miniature dams, capturing rainfall and funneling it into the soil, and every time the trailer is moved a hotbed of manure is left behind to fertilise the soil, balance acidity and unlock minerals. Plus, the chickens’ nomadic lifestyle eliminates the risk of parasite infestation so chemical intervention is not needed. Good for the chooks. Good for the earth.

“The pasture regrows with real oomph,” Kat told the audience. “It stays greener for a lot longer than the surrounding pasture, and has deeper roots which pump carbon into the soil.”

Today the farm is a patchwork of green hues, producing nutrient rich food from living soils and at the same time sequestering carbon.

“There are a lot of positive aspects for us to support regenerative agriculture,” she said.

Regenerative agriculture is both environmentally beneficial and economically sustainable according to presenter, Melissa Rebbeck, who heads Climate and Agricultural Support, and helps primary producers improve soil quality as well as the wellbeing of their animals and the health of the planet.

The champion of these big goals is the humble dung beetle, which works in collaboration with cattle and a biochar feeding regime. This industrious little critter breaks down dung then buries the biochar-infused manure underground, resulting in improved soil fertility and health, with the added benefits of reducing methane gas emissions and sequestering carbon.

Melissa cited trials on the Fleurieu where a small amount of high quality biochar is fed to dairy cows. Nine months into the 12 month trial there are impressive results. Everything is healthier: the cows, the pastures and the bottom line — for a higher milk yield delivers higher profits. But the winner is the environment, deserving of government backing and private investment, Melissa said.

Before Tom Bradman from Nomad Farms presented his ideas he explained why the Fleurieu is set to lead the nation in regenerative agriculture.

“The Fleurieu has incredible industry collaboration, we are close to market, we have an amazing reputation for producing some of the best food in the country, and we have a lot of young people keen to be involved,” he said. “Economically this puts us in the box seat for high value markets… but we need to educate consumers about the products they are buying.”

The passion behind climate change has driven misconceptions around food, Tom explained. “My personal view is that every day we have three votes (breakfast, lunch and dinner): what we eat determines what farming system we support.

“It’s important we educate consumers as to what they are buying. By telling them our story — 'this is our ecological footprint, this is how we grow ethical and nutritious food' — we help them understand different production systems (industrial or regenerative) so they can make choices that bring change.”

If you are interested in transitioning to, or enhancing, holistic land management practices contact Tony Randall, Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin, or any of the inspirational presenters below:

·      Kat Snoswell, Falkai Farms

·      Melissa Rebbeck, Climate and Agricultural Support

·      Tom Bradman, Nomad Farms

·      Nina Keath, Ideas on the Fleurieu

·      Richard Leask, Leask Agri/Hither & Yon Wines

·      Ben Ryan, Deep Creek Organics at Tent Rock

·      Oli Madgett, Platfarm

·      Edward Scott, Field Systems Australia.

Regenerative Farming on the Fleurieu was sponsored by the Rangers to River NRM Group through funding from the SA Murray-Darling Basin NRM Board and NRM levies.

Catering was generously provided by Real Food Life and entertainment by Jess Louise Music.

Ideas on the Fleurieu is a community-led thinktank bringing people together from across the Fleurieu Peninsula to voice their vision and ideas. 

Visit ideasonthefleurieu.com for a summary of the presentation and audience ideas.