SoilCare Inc Report 2014
Submitted by Bonnie Walker, Chairperson
SoilCare Inc AGM November 2014
Membership
Since the SoilCare Inc Annual General Meeting in November 2013 the membership has increased from 260 to 284 family memberships.
Our partnerships with NSW TAFE Wollongbar and Environmental Analysis Lab continue to attract new members. Our growth surges appear to align with our major events, workshops and courses.
Thank You to SoilCare Board Members
I would like to thank all the SoilCare Board Members for their continued effort and personal commitment to SoilCare. In particular, I would like to express appreciation to:
· Dave Forrest, Vice Chair, for his generosity in time and expertise in presenting/managing events and steering the SoilCare organisation towards healthy farming practices.
· SoilCare Secretary, Pam Woods, who spends many hours facilitating SoilCare at all levels. Very little happens that Pam does not play an important role.
· Retiring SoilCare Treasurer, Tony Walker, for his efficient book-keeping skills and his on-time reporting.
· Alan Coates, Board Member, for generosity with his time and expertise in SoilCare activities as well as steering the SoilCare organisation towards healthy farming practices.
· Kieran Livermore, Board Member, for his wise advice and enthusiasm to further SoilCare objectives.
· Sue Beckinsale, Board Member, for sharing her years of experience in government project/event management and being a great supporter of the SoilCare ethos.
· Jodie Gager, Board Member (half term), for her sage advice and not only promote SoilCare as an organisation but also communicate SoilCare objectives to other farming Landcare groups around Australia.
Thank You to SoilCare members:
· Events Sub-Committee members for their many volunteer hours spent to plan and execute the SoilCare events. In particular, Pam Woods, Kerrie O’Neill and Kate Thompson, Mary Burton, Kieran Livermore, Mike Hogan, Sue Wiley and Tony Walker for for being ‘on deck’ at events to assist in catering, sign-in, book sales, etc functions.
· Pam Woods and Kerrie O’Neill for their dedication as SoilCare E-news Editors.
· Peter Thompson for writing an inspiring article about the Community Landcare Grant workshop series.
· Jodie Gager, Sue Beckinsale, Pam Woods and Mary Burton who made a mighty effort to scope the idea and delivery of a National Biological Farming Conference.
· Pam Woods and Mary Burton for attending the Landcare Essentials training course to brush up on governance and non-profit organisation management.
Thank You to Organisations:
A sincere thank-you to all of our partners and facilitators:
· TAFE Wollongbar - In particular I would like to thank the agricultural staff members at Wollongbar TAFE: Paul Moosberger, Mark Goltz, Alan Coates, Dave Forrest and Jacqueline Heap.
· Graham Lancaster and the staff at Environmental Analysis Lab (EAL) for their generous support to SoilCare and SoilCare members.
· Jodie Gager, Regional Landcare Facilitator, and the North Coast Regional Landcare Network have become important partners to SoilCare in the delivery of events. Also thank you to Amanda Harris and Daintry Gerrand who assumed the RLF position on Jodie’s retirement in June.
· NSW Department of Primary Industries has been very supportive in providing great venues, media equipment and staff assistance and support.
· Australian Government – DAFF and NRM Departments for funding our ‘healthy’ soil management initiatives. Special thanks to the dedicated staff members in these organisations.
· Richmond Landcare Inc for providing support for SoilCare activities.
· Tim O’Grady and Bayer who have partnered with SoilCare in costs for the Bob Shaffer events in 2013 and 2014. Tim has also promoted SoilCare events to a wide audience of large-scale farms.
· Richard Llewellyn, BioResources, for his continued support of SoilCare farmers.
SoilCare Membership:
· Last, but not least, thank you to the SoilCare members who continually open their farms to field days and support SoilCare events with their attendance at workshops, courses and field days.
Projects/Funding:
In March 2014 we completed a Community Landcare Grant Project for the Australian Government:
This project contributed to the skilling of educators and role model farmers to help to support, innovate and lead regenerative agriculture into the future. SoilCare sponsored 3x3 day workshops for 84 farmers and educators from NSW, QLD, WA, VIC and TAS with Gary Zimmer, Leilani Zimmer Durand, Judi Earl, Graham Lancaster, Dave Forrest and Alan Coates.
Technology and Communication The SoilCare Facebook page continues to slowly grow audience and we now have over 105 ’likes’.
We launched a new website using Weebly, an on-line web design service.
Since the SoilCare Inc Annual General Meeting in November 2013 the membership has increased from 260 to 284 family memberships.
Our partnerships with NSW TAFE Wollongbar and Environmental Analysis Lab continue to attract new members. Our growth surges appear to align with our major events, workshops and courses.
Thank You to SoilCare Board Members
I would like to thank all the SoilCare Board Members for their continued effort and personal commitment to SoilCare. In particular, I would like to express appreciation to:
· Dave Forrest, Vice Chair, for his generosity in time and expertise in presenting/managing events and steering the SoilCare organisation towards healthy farming practices.
· SoilCare Secretary, Pam Woods, who spends many hours facilitating SoilCare at all levels. Very little happens that Pam does not play an important role.
· Retiring SoilCare Treasurer, Tony Walker, for his efficient book-keeping skills and his on-time reporting.
· Alan Coates, Board Member, for generosity with his time and expertise in SoilCare activities as well as steering the SoilCare organisation towards healthy farming practices.
· Kieran Livermore, Board Member, for his wise advice and enthusiasm to further SoilCare objectives.
· Sue Beckinsale, Board Member, for sharing her years of experience in government project/event management and being a great supporter of the SoilCare ethos.
· Jodie Gager, Board Member (half term), for her sage advice and not only promote SoilCare as an organisation but also communicate SoilCare objectives to other farming Landcare groups around Australia.
Thank You to SoilCare members:
· Events Sub-Committee members for their many volunteer hours spent to plan and execute the SoilCare events. In particular, Pam Woods, Kerrie O’Neill and Kate Thompson, Mary Burton, Kieran Livermore, Mike Hogan, Sue Wiley and Tony Walker for for being ‘on deck’ at events to assist in catering, sign-in, book sales, etc functions.
· Pam Woods and Kerrie O’Neill for their dedication as SoilCare E-news Editors.
· Peter Thompson for writing an inspiring article about the Community Landcare Grant workshop series.
· Jodie Gager, Sue Beckinsale, Pam Woods and Mary Burton who made a mighty effort to scope the idea and delivery of a National Biological Farming Conference.
· Pam Woods and Mary Burton for attending the Landcare Essentials training course to brush up on governance and non-profit organisation management.
Thank You to Organisations:
A sincere thank-you to all of our partners and facilitators:
· TAFE Wollongbar - In particular I would like to thank the agricultural staff members at Wollongbar TAFE: Paul Moosberger, Mark Goltz, Alan Coates, Dave Forrest and Jacqueline Heap.
· Graham Lancaster and the staff at Environmental Analysis Lab (EAL) for their generous support to SoilCare and SoilCare members.
· Jodie Gager, Regional Landcare Facilitator, and the North Coast Regional Landcare Network have become important partners to SoilCare in the delivery of events. Also thank you to Amanda Harris and Daintry Gerrand who assumed the RLF position on Jodie’s retirement in June.
· NSW Department of Primary Industries has been very supportive in providing great venues, media equipment and staff assistance and support.
· Australian Government – DAFF and NRM Departments for funding our ‘healthy’ soil management initiatives. Special thanks to the dedicated staff members in these organisations.
· Richmond Landcare Inc for providing support for SoilCare activities.
· Tim O’Grady and Bayer who have partnered with SoilCare in costs for the Bob Shaffer events in 2013 and 2014. Tim has also promoted SoilCare events to a wide audience of large-scale farms.
· Richard Llewellyn, BioResources, for his continued support of SoilCare farmers.
SoilCare Membership:
· Last, but not least, thank you to the SoilCare members who continually open their farms to field days and support SoilCare events with their attendance at workshops, courses and field days.
Projects/Funding:
In March 2014 we completed a Community Landcare Grant Project for the Australian Government:
This project contributed to the skilling of educators and role model farmers to help to support, innovate and lead regenerative agriculture into the future. SoilCare sponsored 3x3 day workshops for 84 farmers and educators from NSW, QLD, WA, VIC and TAS with Gary Zimmer, Leilani Zimmer Durand, Judi Earl, Graham Lancaster, Dave Forrest and Alan Coates.
Technology and Communication The SoilCare Facebook page continues to slowly grow audience and we now have over 105 ’likes’.
We launched a new website using Weebly, an on-line web design service.
SoilCare Activities and Events of 2014
March 2014
84 farmers and educators from around the country attended the three day workshops.
Pictured right: Dave Forrest, Leilani Zimmer Durand, Gary Zimmer and Alan Coates. Pictured below: Grazing Workshop Group, Educators Workshop Group and Horticulture Workshop Group,
- Biological Farming Workshops with Gary Zimmer, Leilani Zimmer Durand, Judi Earl, Graham Lancaster, Dave Forrest and Alan Coates.
84 farmers and educators from around the country attended the three day workshops.
Pictured right: Dave Forrest, Leilani Zimmer Durand, Gary Zimmer and Alan Coates. Pictured below: Grazing Workshop Group, Educators Workshop Group and Horticulture Workshop Group,
May 2014
Members enjoyed dinner and wine tasting from the Temple Bruer Organic Winery. David Bruer gave an introduction to the winery and the wine. We also thanked Jodie Gager for the wonderful support she provided to SoilCare during her years as the Regional Landcare Facilitor.
- Member’s Dinner with David Bruer from Temple Bruer Winery is South Australia
Members enjoyed dinner and wine tasting from the Temple Bruer Organic Winery. David Bruer gave an introduction to the winery and the wine. We also thanked Jodie Gager for the wonderful support she provided to SoilCare during her years as the Regional Landcare Facilitor.
David Bruer from Temple Bruer Wines inspects grapes.
|
|
- ‘Managing Soil for Quality Crops with Bob Shaffer, Graham Lancaster and David Bruer
Bob presented on the ‘The Role Of Compost In Biological Farming Systems’ and ‘Soil Biology, Soil Health And Food Quality’. Graham spoke about ‘Soil Health – Measuring and Monitoring’. David shared Temple Bruer farming practices and philosophy.
- Planning For Soil & Crop Nutrient Management with Alan Coates
Alan presented a 2 workshops covering soil analysis and soil/tree/groundcover nutrient management.
Dave presented a farm walk/workshop at Belinda and Andrew Burnett’s avocado and custard apple farm covering soil/tree/groundcover nutrient management. |
|
June 2014
SoilCare welcomed the pioneers of biological control in Australia. Members of Australasian Biological Control Inc (ABC) will be in Ballina
next week for their AGM. This provided SoilCare with an opportunity to invite them to introduce us to their businesses and the “good bugs” they breed. For a list of the insects available – now over 30 species - go to The Good Bugs website at www.goodbugs.org.au
Right: Members of Australasian Biological Control Inc
SoilCare welcomed the pioneers of biological control in Australia. Members of Australasian Biological Control Inc (ABC) will be in Ballina
next week for their AGM. This provided SoilCare with an opportunity to invite them to introduce us to their businesses and the “good bugs” they breed. For a list of the insects available – now over 30 species - go to The Good Bugs website at www.goodbugs.org.au
Right: Members of Australasian Biological Control Inc
August 2014
- Managing Soil for Healthy, Productive Pastures with Dr Judi Earl, Agricultural and Information Monitoring Services (AIMS) and Graham Lancaster, Environmental Analysis Lab (EAL) at Southern Cross University.
|
|
|
September 2013
Pictured below: Workshop attendees and demo of legume inoculation.
- Agronomic, Economic and Environmental Benefits of Ground Covers & Cover Crops with Mary Burton, Dave Forrest, Alan Coates an Mark Goltz. This workshop was part of the North Coast LLS funded project on ground covers for soil health.
Pictured below: Workshop attendees and demo of legume inoculation.
November 2013
This farm visit was part of the North Coast LLS ground covers for soil health project.
- Ground covers farm visit to Kate Thompson's farm.
This farm visit was part of the North Coast LLS ground covers for soil health project.
This farm visit was part of the North Coast LLS ground covers for soil health project. |
|
Best Wishes to SoilCare Members for a Merry Christmas
and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2015!