Trees

Redefining Local Productivity

Redefinining Local Productivity with Julian Cribb, Rob Fenton & local Farmers.

In August 2012 the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority hosted a number of forums around the Catchment on the challenges of future food production with specialist science communicator Julian Cribb.

Julian has been involved in agricultural and rural affairs for over 40 years. As the former editor of two national and one state newspaper, Julian has received 32 awards for journalism and wide recognition for his work to bring awareness and solutions to the issues faced by farmers and rural communities.

At the Redefining Local Productivity Forum at Trawool, Julian was joined by Rob Fenton, of the National Environment Centre at the Riverina Institute of TAFE, and local farmers Allen & Lizette Snaith, Tom Lawson and Lynnda Heard. The forum was organised by the Land Health Beyond SoilCare project.

The forum was fully booked with 100 people being part of the conversation discussing the global food challenge; opportunities to respond, implications for land management, farm gate sustainability, and how the community and local production is involved.

Rob Fenton’s presentation struck a chord for many farmers participating in the forum. A subsequent bus trip to the National Environment Centre was organised and 30 farmers interested in developing or extending direct marketing of their produce attended sessions presented by Rob at the Hume Murray Farmers Market and at the NEC farm. One participant sent us the following note:

 “ Thank you for organizing such a wonderful tour of the farmer’s market and the National Environment Centre Organic Farm. It was an excellent day, in fact I would say ‘inspired’. I thought the idea of visiting the market first and then the farm second showed an excellent understanding of what people wanted and needed to hear. The market and marketing really put the farm into perspective. Rob is an excellent presenter, his background as a teacher really shines through. He conveys complex concepts in a straightforward and easily understood manner. The walk around the farm enabled me to add layer upon layer of the information he provided. I good off the bus thinking, ‘Fantastic, what’s next!’ This is everything you want from a day’s tour. There is much to learn and I do hope there will be further opportunities.”

The following presentations have been kindly supplied by our speakers to share with you.

(please note these presentations range from 1Mb-4Mb in size)

Julian Cribb, Julian Cribb and Associates

Rob Fenton, National Environment Centre, Riverina Institute of TAFE, NSW

Tom Lawson, Paringa Livestock

Download

YouTube Clips

Redefining local productivity forum 31 st August YouTube clips (10-30mins in length)

Clonbinane farmer Allen Snaith on the local food supply chain

Rob Fenton, NEC Organic Farm, describes the farm ecosystem

Yea farmer Tom Lawson describes their approach to biological and sustainable farming.

Julian Cribb: Meeting the C21st food challenge.

Panel discussion with Julian Cribb, Rob Fenton and Tom Lawson.

Merton local Lynnda Heard on connecting local communities.

 

Back to top