Valley

Landcare Links March 2021

Landcare Links welcomes you to another month of activities and events that are cautiously opening up across the catchment. This time a year ago we were moving everything to online; now we are open again to small groups. A year has come and gone. Time is interesting.

This time of the year is the Autumn Equinox and critical for ensuring my winter garden is ready so that it has a chance to grow and flourish before the cold days arrive. As I was looking into the significance of the Equinox for growing plants, I was taken to an 'Indigenous Knowledge Weather' website Gariwerd calendar - Indigenous Weather Knowledge - Bureau of Meteorology (bom.gov.au).

I found a link to Victoria on the website - Gariwerd (Grampians) region - which described 6 distinct seasons. I really loved the way these seasons linked to observations about the natural systems - eel season, honeybee season, cockatoo season, nesting bird season, wildflower season and butterfly season. This year one of my goals is to observe nature more closely so I have a better understanding of what is happening in my backyard and across the region.

Feel free to click on the link (above) and have a look at the Indigenous Weather Knowledge.

Warm regards, Kerstie

Kerstie Lee
Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority
Phone: 0437 310 840
Email: kerstiel@gbcma.vic.gov.au

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and pay our respects to their Elders; past, present and emerging.

Funding Partners

Landcare funding partners

News & Events

	Managing variability on small farms, Harston - webinar On Friday 26th March from 12.30pm-1.15pm, take a virtual walk across the O'Hallorans' paddocks to find out how to adapt an ex-dairy farm to a grain and beef enterprise on small acreage. In this 45 min webinar, hear how the O'Hallorans are balancing off-farm income, community engagement and efficient land use to manage variability in farming enterprises - 20min Q&A session. Contact Kerstie Lee 0437 310 840 or kerstiel@gbcma.vic.gov.au for registration and link to webinar.
	Interested in changing your farming enterprise? An opportunity is available for 2 farmers in the GMID to trial Plan2Farm business planning with the assistance of farm consultant Daryl Poole. If you are interested please contact Jacqui Knee on 0400 054 690 or jacqui.knee@nccme.vic.gov.au.
	Erosion control in the Mt Camel Range using native vegetation On Thursday 1st April at Toolleen from 1pm-2pm, there will be a presentation from Colin Neate, owner of a vineyard, on using native vegetation to manage erosion and create habitat for birds of prey. Read more and register here Contact Karen Brisbane for more details 0409 955 396 or karenb@gbcma.vic.gov.au
	Attract insects and predator birds to your farm workshop On Thursday 1st April from 10am-12.30pm in Cornella, Carl Brown is opening up his property to demonstrate how he is trying to increase beneficial insects at his farm by providing habitat. *Register here or contact Karen Brisbane on 0409 955 369 or karenb@gbcma.vic.gov.au*
	Smart Farming with Biochar and Dung Beetles On 29th March from 11.30am-1pm online, there will be a workshop to explain how to acquire dung beetles and biochar and incorporate them on farm to benefit your productivity and farm health. Register here
	Smarter, safer farms The Farm Safety Rebate Scheme is available through Agriculture Victoria. Up to $5000 is available for investment in infrastructure and equipment to keep you, your workers, visitors and family safe. *Read more here*
	Kicking off the season with healthy, fertile soils Like a winning season starts with a successful pre-season, a high-yielding, high-quality feedbase starts with a soil test. Visit MLA's new soil resource hub to find: Producer case studies; new fact sheets; the enhanced Soil P five easy steps tool and manual; online training packages on soil testing and analysis; video and poster guides and more!
	Goulburn to Murray trade and Murray delivery risk On Wednesday 24th March from 1pm-2pm join Ag Vic for this webinar to understand the developments in the Goulburn to Murray Trade Review and the latest findings on changing delivery risk in the Murray System. Click here to register or contact Rob O'Connor for more information
	Baselining soil organic carbon and pH in North East Vic On Tuesday 23rd March from 9am-10.15am online join Dr Cassandra Schefe from AgriSci Pty Ltd as she talks about her research on 'quantifying in-paddock variations of soil organic carbon and pH'. Click here to register