News

Soil workshops to feature leading Australian ecologist

Released by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on Friday, 20. January 2023 – 9:30. See original post here

Leading Australian pasture ecologist and carbon farming advocate Dr Christine Jones will tour Western Australia in February, sharing her vast knowledge and experiences with building sustainable and profitable regenerative agriculture systems.

Dr Jones’ tour, supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and several land management organisations, will include a series of workshops on soil biology for broadacre and horticulture businesses.

DPIRD Climate Resilience Taskforce lead Kerrine Blenkinsop said the workshops were an opportunity for farmers, land managers, agribusinesses and consumers to hear more about the latest advances in soil science and carbon accounting.

“Dr Jones is a respected scientist, who has an impressive track record as a soil ecologist and microbiologist,” Ms Blenkinsop said.

“The workshops have been tailored to address local landscapes, ranging from building profit, profitability and natural capital, to resilience through diversity, healthy farming pathways and regenerative farming for perennial horticulture.

“Dr Jones will take a ‘deep dive’ into how to optimise soil health and production systems, providing participants with useful information they can integrate into their own operations to build business sustainability and resilience.”

Dr Jones has organised and participated in workshops, field days, seminars and conferences throughout Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Western Europe, Central America, USA and Canada.

Tour dates include:

  • 2 February – Margaret River: Soil Secrets – the Fundamentals for Building Profit
  • 3 February – Scott River: Regenerative Agriculture in Practice Masterclass
  • 7 February – Bridgetown: Resilience through diversity
  • 10 February – Torbay: Soil Secrets –  Profit, Productivity and NPK for the South Coast
  • 11 February – Marbelup: Farming for Profit and Profitability masterclass – SOLD OUT
  • 14 February – Dandaragan: Healthy Farming Pathways
  • 16 February – Perth Hills & Swan Valley: Regenerative Farming for Perennial Horticulture
  • 18 February – Perth Hills: The importance of multispecies groundcover.

For more information and to register to attend the any of the workshops is available here.

Dr Jones’ tour is supported by the Western Australian Government’s Agriculture Climate Resilience Fund, in collaboration with DPIRD, as well as the Torbay Catchment Group, Perth NRM, RegenWA, Earthwhile Australia, Lower Blackwood LCDC, Wilson Inlet Catchment Council, the Serpentine Jarrahdale Food and Farm Alliance, Oyster Harbour Catchment Group, South Coast NRM, Lower South West Growers Group and Galloway Springs