Namoi Soil Symposium
Gunnible Landcare Inc members instigated a highly successful soil health day at Emerald Hill, near Gunnedah, NSW
Capacity building - LEP 013
The issue
Gunnible Landcare Inc members requested a workshop on increasing soil health, particularly focused on broadacre/cropping practices. An application for funding was unsuccessful, requiring the group to look elsewhere for funding.
The solution
Gunnible Landcare Inc was supported financially by Gunnedah Urban Landcare to bring Joel Williams (international soil health educator), Dr Rob Banks (local soil health consultant), Cameron Leckie (Regional Soils Coordinator, Future Drought Fund Hub) and Scott McCalman and Amy Perferment (local farmers using regenerative soil health practices in broadacre cropping) to provide a workshop at Emerald Hill, NSW 12th March 2025.
The impact
85 participants filled Emerald Hill Hall to capacity. 40% of participants were involved in dryland or irrigated cropping, 36% were involved in grazing.
Tamworth Regional Landcare members/staff supported this event: Wayne Chaffey (NSW Landcare Board Member and Chair of Tamworth Regional Landcare) was MC, and Local Landcare Coordinators provided support with technical assistance, administration and media coverage.
Gunnible members and CWA members provided locally provenanced food to great acclaim.
A feedback form was designed by a Gunnible member and was adapted for Survey Monkey by the Local Landcare Coordinator.
A WhatsApp chat group was set up by one of the Local Landcare coordinators to enable efficient questions from participants to speakers on the day, and also ongoing conversation and resource sharing after the event.
A specific question regarding support for the implementation of an independent research center to conduct trials and demonstrations of products and production systems to benefit farmers wishing to adopt environmentally and economically sustainable regenerative agriculture received 100% support from attendees.
Key facts
- Interest and adaptation of regenerative practices in cropping is increasing.