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Regional Landcare News | Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board
 

August 2022

 
   
 

An Australian windfarm. Photo credit: Kwest Shutterstock.

 
 

Table of contents

 
Small Acreage Field Days - Echunga Oval - 24 + 25 September
Local Regenerative Agriculture Case Studies launched
National Landcare News
Eastern Mt Lofty Regenerative Agriculture group farm walk
First Nations News - Ngarrindjeri people represented at the Commonwealth Games
Indigenous leaders bring their ancestors back to country
Small Talk – Tips for Small Landholders
Local Landcare Legends – The Upper Torrens River Landcare Group
Willunga Farmers Market Scholarship recipients announced
Regional Capability Community Fund grants now open!
Biosecurity news - National Biosecurity Strategy Launched
Clayton Bay Regenerative Agriculture Forum - 13 August
Native Orchid Society of South Australia Spring Show
Nominations for the 2022 Australian Biosecurity Awards (ABAs) are open.
RCS Free Field day and Grazing for Profit School in SA
Upcoming events for your calendar​​​
 

Entries open for 2022 SA Climate Leaders Awards

Is your community organisation, club or alliance leading climate change action in South Australia?

The SA Climate Leaders Awards are shining a light on action being taken by individuals, the community, research organisations, business and government to address climate change in South Australia.

An initiative of the Premier’s Climate Change Council, the awards showcase the innovative work happening across South Australia to grow the sustainability and resilience of our state through responding and adapting to climate change.

Entries for the ‘Community’ category are invited from (but are not limited to):

• community groups and not-for-profit organisations, clubs and associations
• regional level networks, alliances and partnerships
• individuals taking action within their community.

Projects can be big or small and the entry process is simple.
You could be:

• an organisation or alliance involved in an innovative approach to climate adaptation, low carbon transition or building community awareness on climate change
• a primary or secondary school that has run a program to educate students about climate change or energy technology and inspiring hands-on action to foster students’ connection with the natural environment
• a community group that has led a local project in community energy, biodiversity or urban greening
• an organisation supporting vulnerable members of the community to build resilience to climate change
• an individual involved in any of the above mentioned examples.

In 2020, Tom Linnell from Tenison Woods College received the $10,000 prize as the overall winner for his work as a climate and sustainability educator.

Entries close COB Friday 19 August 2022.

Find out more and enter here

The Premier's Climate Change Council is the State Government's key advisory body on climate change.

Contact Nicole Westbury pccc@sa.gov.au or phone (08) 8463 4461.

 
     
 

Machinery displays will feature at the Small Acreage Field Days. Photo credit: Web image

Small Acreage Field Days - Echunga Oval - 24 + 25 September

The Stirling Rotary Club, in partnership with neighbouring Rotary clubs, is presenting the Rotary Small Acreage Field Days at Echunga Oval on 24 and 25 September. The event’s target audience is small peri-urban land holders from the Hills and Fleurieu and Barossa regions - a total of 6,000 families, who live on small acreage properties.

The idea is to bring the products and services that these families need to assist them to manage their land responsibly to one location. Information about the latest equipment, services and products to assist them to enjoy their rural lifestyles responsibly will be supplied in the form of interactive displays, demonstrations and presentations.

The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board will have staff present at our display area on the day as well as providing short presentations on our five key priority areas of land, water, nature, community and climate. The theme of the field days is fire preparation and prevention. The field days are open to the public from 9am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday. 

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Tim Modra is one of the farmers featured in the case studies.

Local Regenerative Agriculture Case Studies launched

Back in October 2021, the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board's Sustainable Agriculture team surveyed local landholders with an interest in regenerative agriculture about establishing a regenerative agriculture farmers network across the region.

Following the survey, the team held a workshop in Strathalbyn in November 2021, with over 50 landholders attending. The main aim was to co-design the Hills and Fleurieu Regenerative Agriculture Network. Landholders in attendance clearly wanted us to establish small local farmer groups to facilitate peer-to-peer learning, bring in experts to improve knowledge and skills, and provide regenerative agriculture resources in one online location.

Since then, four regenerative agriculture farmer groups have been established across our region, with groups meeting bi-monthly on local farms to share ideas. Several whole-of-network events have been held with a range of guest speakers involved, including Dr Christine Jones. Crucially, local farmers have presented at these events. 

Finally, workshop attendees asked that local regenerative agriculture resources and case studies be made available online.

To that end, we are pleased to launch six regenerative agriculture case studies, featuring local Hills and Fleurieu farmers who have applied regenerative agriculture principles on their properties.

Farmers involved include Alistair Just, Geoff Stuckey, Derek Walters, Jim Natt, Ken Woods and Annabel Walsh and Tim Modra (pictured). The Sustainable Agriculture team would like to thank them for their cooperation and time in filming and sharing their experiences. 

Along with the local written and video case studies, we have added regenerative agriculture resource pages on our website. To see the new regenerative agriculture case studies and resource pages, click here.

Feel free to contact jim.mead@sa.gov.au with other resource ideas we may have missed or to join one of the four farmer groups in the region.  

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National Landcare News

National Landcare News

NextGen Landcare Forum - Tuesday 23 August at 10.30am to 2pm AEST

Landcare Australia is supporting Intrepid Landcare to host an online youth forum for young people aged 12-18. The event is open to high school students, senior primary school students and youth groups. Educators and Landcare Facilitators are welcome to attend as observers of the online forum. Hosted by Landcare champion Costa Georgiadis, this is an action-packed online event that aims to get youth inspired, connected and empowered to take action for the environment.

For more information or to register please click here:

General Jeffery Soil Health Award Finalists Announced
The General Jeffery Soil Health Award recognises the work of people who care for soil health and who are educating or inspiring others to do the same. Now in its second year, three leading experts in soil health have been announced as finalists for the Award, which will be presented at the National Landcare Awards on August 24. Finalists for the 2022 General Jeffery Soil Health Award are:

Roger Groocock from South Australia: An innovative farmer who has dedicated more than 40 years to pioneering soil amelioration techniques that have improved the health and productivity of many tens of thousands of hectares of sandy soils across southern and western Australia.

Dr Oliver Knox from NSW: A researcher in cotton farming and soil health, who has developed and delivered numerous field workshops to the cotton production areas of Australia. In 2014 he reintroduced soil biology into the University of New England undergraduate syllabus, and since 2018, has driven the Soil Your Undies soil health program in Australia.

Prof. John McLean Bennett from Queensland: A soil health researcher, advocate and educator, who is committed to professional development in soil management, and works directly with farmers on the development of soil health management plans

2022 National Landcare Conference August 23-25, International Convention Centre Darling Harbour Sydney
Over 700 people have registered, are you one of them? Over 500 guests are expected for the National Landcare Awards gala dinner. There are delegates attending the event in Sydney, and also online as virtual delegates.

The National Landcare Conference will take place from Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 August, at the International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney. To register or read more about the program, please visit here:  

There are seven field trips with 4 already sold out, there are over 130 speakers, 35 organisations and/or groups have submitted a poster, and there are 30 exhibitors.

Virtual registrations are FREE. As an online delegate, you will have access to all the speakers who will be live streamed and recorded. Virtual delegates can join in on the online chat with delegates who are at the venue by using the conference App.  The speaker videos and presentations will be made available for everyone to access after the conference, including any videos the speakers may have available, via the new Landcarer platform.

Meet in SYDNEY for the event, or register as a VIRTUAL delegate for FREE here.

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Jim Natt chats with the group about his grazing management. Photo credit: Rowena Danks

Eastern Mt Lofty Regenerative Agriculture group farm walk

The Eastern Mount Lofty Regenerative Agriculture Group held its July meeting at Jim and Wendy Natt’s property at Langhorne Creek.

It was a windy day, but it didn’t stop the group of 12 members from talking with Jim about the farm and some of the regenerative methods of pasture management he is implementing there. Native grasses are now starting to thrive using regenerative principles.

The Natts began their holistic journey in 2012 and have aimed to bring change by using grazing management as their main pasture management tool.

If you are interested in joining this group, contact Rowena Danks, rowena.danks@gwlap.org.au 

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Alex Wilson proudly displays the Aboriginal and Ngarrindjeri flags with teammates in Birmingham. Photo credit: Australian Commonwealth Games team.

First Nations News - Ngarrindjeri people represented at the Commonwealth Games

Alex Wilson, a proud Ngarrindjeri woman, recently represented Australia and her community at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in the exciting 3 x 3 Women's Basketball competition.

Alex's proud dad is Bill Wilson, the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board's Aboriginal Partnerships Officer.

"We are definitely 100% proud of her on-court achievements, (Bronze medal) but to be honest, we as Alex's family are equally proud of her willingness to share and educate others about her Ngarrindjeri culture on the world stage at the Commonwealth Games. Our broader Ngarrindjeri community are infinitely proud of Alex's stance and position in acknowledging her Ngarrindjeri heritage in this way," Bill said. 

Read more about Alex's exciting achievements with the Australian Women's 3 x 3 Basketball team in the ABC article here.

As Bill mentions, the Australian women's 3 x 3 team went on to win a Bronze medal in the competition (in a great come-from-behind win against New Zealand) after this article was written. 

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Major Sumner and Allan Sumner at the Smithonian Institute in Washington. Photo credit: Jade McMillan, ABC

Indigenous leaders bring their ancestors back to country

Kaurna man Allan Sumner (who has recently run two Kaurna cultural awareness training days for Hills and Fleurieu staff) has travelled to the Smithonian Institute in Washington with other Kaurna and Nurungga Nation representatives to return their ancestors remains to country.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following story contains images and voices of people who have died.

Read more about Allan's solemn journey here.

 

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Fencing considerations are different for different livestock. Photo credit: PROOF

Small Talk – Tips for Small Landholders

Pigs

Are you interested in keeping domestic pigs on your property? If so, there are certain regulations that you need to be familiar with before starting out. 

Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, pigs are declared for control and the Act includes separate declarations for domestic (farmed) and feral pigs. Domestic pigs are defined as pigs that rely on human intervention for food, water, shelter and are held in captivity.

The Act states that domestic pigs cannot be released or allowed to wander off a property. If that does occur, land holders must comply with the instructions of an Authorised Officer. The reason for strict regulations is because escaped domestic pigs can soon become feral and do massive damage to the environment. 

If an Authorised Officer determines that a landholder has not taken reasonable steps to confine domestic pigs, they may ask the landholder to ensure that specific fencing standards be applied. There are severe penalties if these regulations are not complied with. For more information on these standards, contact our offices on (08) 8391 7500.

In South Australia, domestic pigs must be identified and confined to ensure they are clearly differentiated from feral pigs and recorded on the propertie's PIC number via PIRSA. 

Goats

Similarly, domestic goats have a place in Australian primary industry, but it is recognised that goats have a demonstrated capacity to escape and survive in the wild and become feral.

If you are considering keeping goats on your property, proper fencing management will ensure domestic goats are kept in captivity with reduced risk to the environment or neighbouring properties. The number of domestic goats in South Australia has increased in recent years, contributing to the feral population, through occasional escapes and deliberate releases.

Feral or escaped goats have the ability to breed year round providing there is access to a regular food supply, and herds can increase by 50% in one year! Being generalist herbivores, goats can consume plant species that are bitter, prickly, unpalatable and avoided by other livestock, which makeds them great for controlling weeds on farms, but on the flipside, a threat to the natural and agricultural environment if they become feral. For more information on goat fencing standards, contact our offices on (08) 8391 7500.

Feral goats are identified as a high priority for the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape board due to their high potential impacts upon agricultural industries and natural environments.

 

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Upper River Torrens Landcare Group members monitoring in Porter Scrub. Photo credit: Kim Thompson

Local Landcare Legends – The Upper Torrens River Landcare Group

The August 2022 Local Landcare Legends are the Upper River Torrens Landcare Group Inc (URTLG)

Since 1989, the URTLG has engaged the local community in promoting sustainable land and water management practices in the Upper River Torrens Catchment. URTLG has a real grass-roots focus and has established many networks and partnerships and is brilliant at connecting landholders within the region. The group has 80 active members who primarily undertake works at Porter Scrub Conservation Park, Cromer Conservation Park and several private properties throughout the fire scar of the 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfire.

The group has been a great local resource for assisting landholders in the fire scar. The group has been able to provide practical and educational advice around weeds, revegetation, and creating nest boxes to bring back native wildlife.

This long term and dedicated group has many strengths, with a focus on promoting and encouraging involvement in catchment management through information sharing, practical demonstrations, the native plant nursery at Mount Pleasant and implementation of on-ground works.  Last year alone, the group contributed 874 volunteer hours to protecting their local environment!

Over the years they have been busy working alongside Bio R, Habitat Recovery Alliance, Reveg Festival, and with the Department for Environment and Water creating habitat for the diamond firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) and protecting the endangered blue devil plant (Eryngium ovinum) at Cromer Conservation park.

For up-coming events and how to be involved, keep an eye out on the group’s website here.

They would love to have you along at their next working bee. Keep an eye out on their Facebook page here.

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Emily and Chad with last year’s recipients Marni and Dirk Pritchard of Braeburn Farm, and David Greenhough, Chair of the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board.

Willunga Farmers Market Scholarship recipients announced

Congratulations to Emily Frahn and Chad Freak of ‘Worms of Willunga’ on being the 2022 Willunga Farmers Market  Scholarship recipients!

They are pictured here with last year’s recipients Marni and Dirk Pritchard of Braeburn Farm, and David Greenhough, Chair of the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board.

We are proud supporters of the scholarship program, which is awarded to encourage farming on the Fleurieu Peninsula by an emerging business.

'Worms of Willunga' aims to divert local organic matter into top quality vermicompost that can be shared with the local community.

Emily and Chad are passionate about sharing their knowledge and skills with others to empower them to create, grow and develop their own garden spaces and we look forward to following them on their journey.

Read more about the Willunga Farmers Market scholarship program here.

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Grants can assist farmers set up a farm fire fighting unit. Photo credit: CFS

Regional Capability Community Fund grants now open!

Regional Capability Community Fund (RCCF) Round One

Opening date:  Monday 25 July 2022
Closing date:  Sunday 21 August 2022

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The State Budget has provided $2 million (GST exclusive) over four years to establish a new version of the Regional Capability Community Fund (RCCF) grant program for landowners to purchase equipment to support the safe use of Farm Fire Units (FFU). A previous RCCF program concluded in 2018-19.

The RCCF supports farmers and farming businesses across South Australia to better equip themselves to safely respond to fire emergencies.
The fund will reimburse approved purchases or a portion of a purchase from $200 to $3,000 (plus GST). This will allow for the purchase of smaller items such as good quality first aid kits and UHF radios, but also a significant portion of a new FFU e.g., pump, water tank etc.
The total funding available for 2022-23 (round one) is $500,000.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
RCCF grant applicants are encouraged to purchase equipment from their local region to support the local community.
Only one application per farmer or farming business will be considered.
Examples of eligible items include:
• Secure tank with a minimum water capacity of 400L and with fill point for water
• Water pump
• Hose and branch
• Fire rated personal protective clothing (i.e., gloves, jackets, pants, boots and P2 masks)
• First aid kits (specifically with burns kit included)
• Fire blankets
• UHF/CB radios
• Amber rotating beacon
• Heat shields

To apply, click here.

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Varroa mite is one of the current threats to Australia's biosecurity..

Biosecurity news - National Biosecurity Strategy Launched

The Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt has launched the first National Biosecurity Strategy as threats from diseases loom, with the increase in disease threats linked to climate change. Read more on the strategy here.

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The Clayton Bay Regenerative Agriculture Forum will be held at Clayton Bay on August 13. Photo credit: Weekend Notes

Clayton Bay Regenerative Agriculture Forum - 13 August

The Clayton Bay Nursery and Environment Group are hosting a regenerative agriculture forum on August 13 at the Clayton Bay Community Hall.

The forum’s target audience are large or small primary producers who are interested in increasing their productivity and profitability while turning their farms into much healthier places to live and enjoy by applying regenerative agriculture principles. These principles aim to improve soil health. 

The forum will include a range of guest speakers, including local grazier Ben Ryan, soil scientist Professor Tim Cavagnaro, RCS Consultant Nic Kentish, nursery manager Carole Richardson and Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board’s Sustainable Agriculture team members Jodie Pain and Jeff Edwards.

The forum is free and will run from 9.00 am – 4.00 pm, with a lunch of locally sourced produce provided. To register, click here.

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A greenhood orchid. Photo credit: Gardening Australia

Native Orchid Society of South Australia Spring Show

The upcoming Native Orchid Society of South Australia's (NOSSA) Spring Show will be held on September 17 and 18 2022. 

The show will be held at the Uniting Church Hall on the corner of  Township Road and Church Crescent Marion, with doors open to the public from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00 am - 3:00 pm on Sunday. The entry fee is a gold coin donation.

The show will be showcasing the conservation work of NOSSA, including information on their newest venture - a propagation facility for growing orchids from seed. There will be people present to help with orchid growing advice as well as orchids for sale, books and other related orchid items.

Also available for sale will be June Nieljalke's recently published, "Native Orchids of South Australia: A field guide."

 

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Nominations close on August 22

Nominations for the 2022 Australian Biosecurity Awards (ABAs) are open.

Nominations for the 2022 Australian Biosecurity Awards (ABAs) are open.

The ABAs provide important recognition for biosecurity champions across industry, government and the public, who have made a significant contribution towards safeguarding our nation from pests and diseases.

We encourage you to submit a nomination here if you know someone that deserves to be recognised for their contributions.

We have 8 award categories that recognise a wide range of stakeholders:

• Dr David Banks Lifetime Achievement Award
• Dr Kim Ritman Award for Science and Innovation
• Environmental Biosecurity Award
• Industry Award
• Education Award
• Government Award
• Community Award
• Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year (jointly awarded with Plant Health Australia and Animal Health Australia).
We are also reaching out to seek your support in promoting the ABAs among your networks. To help with promotion, we have attached a flyer and a poster.

Nominations close 5pm AEST 22 August 2022.

The ABAs will be presented at an awards dinner as part of the National Biosecurity Forum in November.

Find out more about the ABAs including previous ABA winners here.

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The free field day will be held at Blenheim near Watervale.

RCS Free Field day and Grazing for Profit School in SA

Free Field Day

Rural Consulting Services (RCS) are offering a free farm field day at Watervale in the state's mid north on September 1. The discussion topics covered will include 1) Soil warmth after a cold winter, 2) Optimal grazing in Spring and 3)Mindset of change. To find out more, click here

The Farming and Grazing for Profit School - SA

RCS will also be offering their well known Farming and Grazing for Profit School in SA on October 19 - 25. RCS consultant Nic Kentish will facilitate the course. To find out more and register, click here.

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farm walk for Rural Land Management course participants. Photo credit: Jim Mead

A field day at Langhorne Creek earlier this year. Photo credit: Jim Mead

Upcoming events for your calendar​​​

Look out for our NEW Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board newsletter coming out soon. The newsletter will include stories from across the board’s five priority areas of land, water, nature, climate and community. To make sure you see the first edition as soon as it’s released, be sure to join the subscriber list here.

Revegetation events

• Willunga Hills Face LCG / SA Water / Biodiversity McLaren Vale planting day - August 14 10 am Aldinga   WWTP, Plains Road, Aldinga, SA 5173. Register on Eventbrite here.

Conferences

• Clayton Bay Regenerative Agriculture forum – August 13 – see article above for details
• NextGen Landcare Forum - Tuesday 23 August at 10.30am to 2pm AEST – see article above for details
• National Landcare Conference August 24 -25 - Sydney NSW–  (can attend virtually for free)
• Growing SA Conference - August 29 - 30, Hanhdorf
• SA Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards Dinner - September 2 Evanston, SA

Field days

• 2022 Hobby Sheep Owners Seminar, 20 August 10 am, Liebelt Farm Littlehampton - details here.
• BSSA Native Orchid and Bird Nature walk – Onkaparinga River NP Gate 12 – 27 August 10 am. Register on    Eventbrite here.
• RCS Watervale Field day - 1 September – see article above for details
• NOSSA Spring Show - 17 and 18 September 2022  - see article above for details
• Rotary Small Acreage Field days  - 24 and 25 September, Echunga Oval – see article above for details

Courses

• RCS Farming and grazing for Profit School - Adelaide - 19 - 25 October – see article above for details

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If you have a story or event to promote, please email the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator for the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, Jim Mead, at jim.mead@sa.gov.au.

The Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator Program is funded by the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

 
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