Upcoming SoilCare Events
Watch this space

Upcoming other events

​Managing native bee pollinators of your crops​
Three free full-day workshops in Qld and NSW subtropics
​
Presented by Dr Tim Heard and colleagues, funded by AgriFutures, and supported by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Visit the website: https://sugarbag.net/

The workshops are free, but you need to register.

Visit The Australian Native Bee Book website:  https://www.nativebeebook.com.au/​​
Increase the yield of your horticultural crops by boosting number of native bee pollinators.  Focussing on growers of Macadamia, Avocado, Coffee, Finger Lime, Dragon Fruit. 
Venue:  Tropical Fruit Research Stn, 494 Bruxner Hwy, Alstonville NSW 2477 or Agricultural Research Stn, 1243 Bruxner Hwy, Wollongbar NSW 2477, to be confirmed 
Wednesday, 20th September, 9 am – 5pm.
We will exchange information and discuss:
  • Bees, their biology, life cycle, social life, nesting and foraging behaviour
  • Flower structure, biology, and pollination of relevant local crops
  • Managing your farm agroecosystem to protect and encourage native bees
  • Propagation and management of native stingless bee hives on farms
Dr Tim Heard is an entomologist, stingless bee keeper and promoter of native bees for pollination, honey, education, and conservation. He is an ex-CSIRO research scientist, secretary of the Australian Native Bee Association and organiser of the Australian Native Bee conference. He regularly presents workshops and seminars, talks on radio and is the author of multi award winning and best-selling “The Australian Native Bee Book”.
Sunshine Coast Workshop
With a focus on Macadamia, Avocado, Strawberry, Finger Lime, Dragon Fruit.
Where:  Maroochy Research Facility.  47 Mayers Road, Nambour
When: Friday 8th September, 9 am – 5pm
Register here: 
​https://www.australiannativebee.org.au/event-5367687
NSW Northern Rivers Workshop
With a focus on Macadamia, Avocado, Coffee, Finger Lime, Dragon Fruit.
Where: Alstonville or Wollongbar, to be confirmed
When: Wednesday 20th September, 9 am – 5pm
Register here:
​ https://www.australiannativebee.org.au/event-5379494
An additional workshop in Lindendale NSW Northern Rivers, may be held on 14 Oct or 31 Oct, depending on demand.
​Please express your interest by emailing tim@sugarbag.net
For additional information please contact: Tim Heard, 0434 416053, tim@sugarbag.net
​

Invitation from Santos Organics for farmers interested in organic farming

As part of the Santos Organics Grow the Growers project and Organic Awareness Month we would like to invite you to a gathering for local farmers interested in organic farming and the organic certification process. 
Join us for a farm-to-table sunset supper at The Paddock, Mullumbimby (free of charge) to meet like-minded farmers and hear from a range of guest speakers on current projects in the region and what's new in organic certification.

When: Tuesday 26th September, 5-7pm 
Where:  The Paddock Project, Mullumbimby ​

Full details & RSVP HERE.  Places are limited so be quick!
Recent SoilCare Events

Cover crops, compost and biostimulants farm walk on 26 August 2023   

Thank you to Rebecca and John Zentveld for hosting the day on their coffee farm.   It is always a great pleasure to see what is happening at the Zentveld's farm, AND enjoy a cup of Zentveld coffee.  Thanks to Dave Forrest and the Zentveld team, John, Rebecca, Nigel, Dan and Nick, for sharing their experience and knowledge.

Videos from our recent workshop,  'Measuring & monitoring soil microbiology & soil health'.

Soil biological processes can deliver a myriad of benefits to agroecosystems including suppression of plant diseases, provision of critical plant nutrients and optimal soil structure. The complexity of soil microbial ecosystems makes the management of soil biology challenging.  To be able to understand something and effectively manage it we must be able to measure it.
'To Understand It, You Need To Measure It:
Approaches for Measuring Soil Biology'.
Dr Neil Wilson,  Metagen Australia
 'Key Measures for Biological Crop Nutrition'
Dave Forrest,  Organic Forrest Farms
'Soil Chemical Analysis for Biological Farming Systems'
Graham Lancaster ​, Environmental Analysis Lab, SCU
'Using Data to Manage Soil Health'
Alan Coates, Coates Agriculture​
Thank you to our workshop partners.

Our Recent Conference


​Australian Biological Farming Conference and Expo 2022 
Post Conference virtual delegate registration now available.
Watch the entire conference from the comfort of your home.
'THE ANSWER IS SOIL.  WHAT'S THE QUESTION?'
~  From opening to closing  ~​
2022 Australian Biological Farming Conference 
speaker presentation videos now available.

Details on the Conference Website
post conference virtual delegate registration for conference videos
27 Conference Videos AUD 300.00 + GST
5 Pre-conference workshop videos AUD 120.00 + GST
5 Pre-conference Videos and
27 Conference Videos AUD 420.00 + GST
​
Go to the conference website for video and speaker details.

Integrated Pest Management & Cover Crops 
The second IPM/Cover Crop Field Day in the series of three was attended by farmers interested in planting cover crops and providing beneficial insect habitat.
Ross Arnett shared his insightful observations on numerous trials running on his farm.  Thanks also to Richard Llewellyn, BioResources, and Dave Forrest, Organic Forrest, for contributing their knowledge and expertise. 
​BioResources provides insectary reared biological controls  specialising in Trichogramma and Anastatus wasps.
Farm Walk with Geoff Bugden
Thank you to Geoff and Debbie Bugden for hosting this farm walk on their pecan farm. Geoff shares his many years of observations and on-farm trials.  With help from Dave Forrest, Geoff explains to visitors how he developed his farm management practices. 
In this video watch Geoff explain how he manages ground covers, integrated pest management, soil health, and his brews of bio- fertilisers and bio-teas. 
Farm Walk videos produced by Mia Forrest.

Quick links

Northern Rivers Soil Health Cards

Soil Health Card Videos

Australian Biological Farming Conference 2018 Videos