Stories, news & events from the Lower Blackwood LCDC

October 2018

Stories, News & Events from the District

Our Land Champions Series:

Asher Cohen – Unassuming Chef, New Farmer, & Land Champion.

A familiar face around town, found every week at the Margaret River Farmers’ Market cooking up a breakfast storm for Jindong Free Range Pork and a chef at the popular River Hotel in Margaret River; meet Asher Cohen, our unassuming farmer in Forest Grove.

Its Asher’s first time at being a farmer and he and his partner Jade have taken on quite a challenge - their property, originally part of the

soldier settlement block of the 1920’s, was in a state of disrepair when they purchased it.

Read more about their determination to make their small farm in Forest Grove a success.

It's a Wrap!

Our Inaugural

Lower South West Hub

Spring Field Day

An awesome day out was enjoyed by participants of our recent inaugural Lower South West Hub Spring Field Day.

The topics ranged from Ag Tech to Agritourism and included technology aids to measure & manage pastures, futuristic virtual fencing and drones, and agri business opportunities in micro abattoirs, paddock to produce to plate (& glass) ventures, and sustainable farming solutions plus much much more.

We very much thank our inspirational presenters, who generously gave their time to share their extensive knowledge, skills & experience, and proved that with the right amount of drive and determination, nothing is impossible.

For those of you who missed this brilliant day we've listed some useful contacts on our website for more information on some of the topics presented.

This event was proudly bought to you by:

Another Waterways Revegetation Success Story!

A whopping 15,000 seedlings, including trees sedges and rushes, have now been planted along Scott River's Tim & Zoe Prosser's creekline to stabilise the banks.

To prepare for their revegetation works, Tim & Zoe previously installed 3.5km of stock exclusion fencing, stock crossing points and undertook two pre‐planting weed control sprays. The timing of the weed control works were crucial to the process, eliminating weed competition for the seedlings.

Tim & Zoe have also fenced off a beautiful and pristine Melaleuca wetland, providing a perfect habit for native orchids pictured here blooming earlier this month.

This project has been funded through the Regional Estuaries Initiative, a State Government project dedicated to improving the health of six key WA estuaries.

If you are interested in finding out more about the value of stock exclusion fencing on your property then take a look at our Fact Sheet: Healthy Water Ways = Healthy Farmland.

Get Involved Yourself!

There is still funding available for eligible landholders to fence off their creek lines and drains so you too can participate in the REI Waterways Restoration project . Contact Joanna Wren at the Lower Blackwood LCDC to find out how.

T: 9758 4021 | M: 0408 584 006 | E: joanna.wren@lowerblackwood.com.au

Smart Farming Partnerships

Expressions of interest are now open for farmers who are interested in hosting pasture trials that aim to improve confidence in fertiliser recommendations for local soils and conditions.

Funding for the trials has been secured by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation through the Commonwealth National Landcare Program Smart Farming grants. Read more about this great opportunity.

The EOIs will close on the 9th of November so apply now!

South West Food Bowl Festival

Lower Blackwood LCDC volunteers helped out at the recent South West FoodBowl Education Day 2018 .

The event, held in Nannup, was attended by over 500 students from the region, ranging in ages from pre-primary to Year 10. Students were treated to an extravaganza of activities including demonstration workshops on agtech & the opportunity to experience first-hand a working beef and a free range egg farm, an orchard and a sheep cheese operation.

What a great way to learn about where your food comes from direct from the farmer!

Now is the time to control Arum Lily on your Property.

If you are landholder in the Lower Blackwood District and you have Arum lily on your property you are invited to drop by the Lower Blackwood Landcare office on Thursday mornings from 9.30-1.00pm to collect some free chemical and information to help to assist you with the control of this invasive environmental weed.

Arum lily control is relatively easy and effective but a collaborative effort is required across the district to have a true impact and we would like to encourage all landholders to do their bit.

Our neighbouring catchment group, Nature Conservation , have done a huge amount of work towards eradicating Arum Lillies and have published an excellent Guide to Arum Lily Control that's well worth a read.

For further information or to arrange a time to collect your materials please contact the Landcare office on 97584021, email project.officer@lowerblackwood.com or drop by the Officer on Kudardup Road.

In the Know!

Our Soils Deserve A Lot More Attention

The sustainability of our soils into the future is vital to both production and our natural environment and is currently receiving plenty of attention at a local, state and national level. Sustainable management of soil, is now considered by experts as essential for the continued viability of Australian agriculture.

Former governor general & national soil advocate, Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery , says soil health and regenerative farming is essential for security and carbon emissions. Read more on what he has to say in this recent article published in the Guardian Newspaper - "Look after the soil, save the Earth: farming in Australia's unrelenting climate" .

The Federal Government appears to be taking notice with the PM visiting Natural Sequence Farming pioneer , Peter Andrews , at Mulloon Creek Farm property on the eve of the National Drought Summit. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack declared the success of Mulloon as a "model for everyone". Read the full article Soaking up Australia's drought t o understand more.

Mulloon Creek also featured in this week's Australian Story "Hope Springs" - a really fascinating story & well worth watching on ABCiview if you missed it.

Book Review: A Place in the Country - a guide to creating your patch of rural paradise.

With increasing numbers of new and hobby farmers moving into the catchment, we wanted to let you know about this great new book written by Chris Ferreira & recently published by Fremantle Press. The book provides a practical 'how to' on running a small rural property.

The enormous amount of information covered inside the book includes everything from how to create a sustainable management plan for long term success to animal, soil, pasture, and weeds management, bushfire control measures and revegetation..all delivered in a n easy to understand, down to earth manner and supplemented with photos, illustrations and checklists . A Place in the Country is essential reading for the small rural land owner.

If you want to purchase this book you can buy on line from the Fremantle Press.

Upcoming Events with Lower Blackwood LCDC

'Talkin After Hours', A Free Workshop, BBQ & Networking Event

Understanding Your Soil Test - a beginners guide to interpreting a soil test report.

Our November 'Talkin After Hours' topic is aimed at helping landholders 'unpack' their soil test report, better enabling them to make good decisions on what amendments need to be made to improve their soils health and productivity. The presentation assumes that the audience has limited experience in interpreting their soil test results.

An event invitation with more details will be coming to you soon.

Where? LBLCDC Office, 403 Kudardup Road, Kudardup.

When? Thursday November 29th 4.00pm to 6.00pm

RSVP? Kate Tarrant | 9758 4021 | kate.tarrant@lowerblackwood.com.au

Hardy Inlet Community Update Session

Want to know what is happening in your local waterways?

Come along to find out about the current condition of the inlet, the latest scientific research and what on-ground actions are being implemented by the Regional Estuaries Initiative and local organisations

Presented by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Lower Blackwood Land Conservation District Committee and other local organisations as a part of the State Government’s $20 million Regional Estuaries Initiative.

Download the Flyer

Where? Augusta Hotel, 53 Blackwood Ave, Augusta

When? 4:30-6:30pm, 4 December 2018

RSVP? tiny.cc/hardycommunity

Other Events You Might Want to Attend

South West Regional Economic Update

This full day forum, will discuss the enormous opportunities for the education, agricultural and resources industries that underpin the region’s economy and examine the infrastructure, investment and policy settings required to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future.

Where? Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre

When? 2nd Nov 2018