After sell-out presentations in Sydney and Melbourne in February, Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm is coming back to the Goulburn Broken Catchment to present two seminars in Seymour.
Goulburn Broken CMA Land Health Manager Rhiannon Apted said the community response to Joel Salatin’s presentation in Shepparton in 2011 was excellent, and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) jumped at the chance to have him back on Friday 24th April to inspire local farmers.
“Joel’s presentations are passionate and motivating, and offer local solutions for farmers who are willing to think outside the box,” Ms. Apted said. “He is a world-leading example of how a small family farm can become a diverse and profitable local food producer.”
The Salatin family purchased a rundown farm near Staunton in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley (USA) in 1961. They disregarded conventional wisdom and planted trees, built huge compost piles, moved cows daily, and invented portable housing to produce a range of animals from the diverse perennial pastures on the property.
Today the farm produces rabbit, chicken, stewing hens, eggs, turkey, pork and beef. The farm’s mission is to develop emotionally, economically, environmentally enhancing agricultural enterprises and facilitate their duplication throughout the world.
Ms Apted said the Goulburn Broken CMA was pleased to support community initiatives in sustainable farming through its Beyond SoilCare and Landcare programs.
“The Goulburn Broken CMA recognises that healthy, functioning soils are essential for healthy farms, which underpin rural communities,” Ms. Apted said. “Landcare and producer groups are working hard to develop and test farming practices that adapt to current climate and economic conditions while maintaining the long-term productive capacity of their soils and build resilient landscapes.
“The seminars are being run as part of the Goulburn Broken CMA’s Beyond SoilCare programme, which is funded through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.
“We are thrilled to be in a position to invite farmers in our region to come along to see Joel Salatin and continue the sustainable farming conversation.”
For more information click here and to RSVP, please contact Chris Burnett 5797 4400.