Post Conference Workshops 

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Post Conference Workshop One  
Gary Zimmer and Leilani Zimmer Durand

9.00 AM to 4.00 PM 
Monday, 9 November 2015 
Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW

Cost:  AUS $100.00 + GST (total $110) 
includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea

'Biological Farming Bootcamp - The Six Principles of Biological Farming'
This workshop is well suited to farmers new to biological farming as well as those who have already incorporated biological farming practices into their farm management.  This is an opportunity to ask questions in a small group setting.

1.    Test and balance your soils and feed the crop a balanced, supplemented diet.

2.    Use fertilizers that do the least damage to soil life and plant roots.

3.    Apply pesticides and herbicides responsibly while relying on customized management practices to reach maximum genetic potential.

4.    Create maximum plant diversity by using green manure crops and tight rotations.

5.    Manage the decay of organic materials and the balance of soil, air, and water.

6.    Feed the soil using carbon from compost, green manures, livestock manures, and crop residues.

To read about Gary and Leilani go to the Conference Speakers
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Post Conference Workshop Two 
Bob Shaffer

9.00 AM to 4.00 PM 
Monday, 9 November 2015 
Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW

Cost:  AUS $100.00 + GST (total $110.00) 
includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea

'Composting for Vineyards, Orchards and Other Farms'
This workshop will cover the basics of composting on-farm as well techniques to elevate the quality of compost for experienced hands at composting.   This is an opportunity to ask questions in a small group setting.

9.00 AM Making Compost For Vineyards, Orchards and Other Farms 

 This workshop will discuss the goals of composting and the nature of compost from the farmers' perspective.   Bob will then turn the focus to composting operations including feed stock selection, feedstock processing methods, composting maintenance and techniques to elevate the quality of compost.  

This workshop intends to provide;
  • Practical, economical and effective training for beginning composters,
  • Science based techniques that can elevate the quality of compost,
  • Techniques for experienced composters to create compost with the capacity to elevate soil health and suppress soil borne diseases. 

1.00 PM Compost Use And Application In Vineyards, Orchards And Farms

Compost has ever widening uses on a diversity of crops and this workshop will consider techniques for selecting the best compost for your environment.  It will discuss the best compost application amounts, locations and how to determine the best time to apply for winegrapes, nuts, pastures and vegetables. We will discuss strategies, equipment, creating integrated systems of use and monitoring from a farmers perspective.

This workshop intends to provide detailed information on how knowledgeable systematic use of compost elevates the health of soils, and creates the capacity to sustainably produce a wide diversity of high quality food crops. This discussion will be focused on practical methods and techniques to integrate compost into farm operations, with the greatest degree of ease and likelihood of elevating soil health and crop quality. 

To read about Bob Shaffer go to the Conference Speakers page.