Big Shift For Small Farms - Australian Agriculture and Regenerative Farming

In this episode, get ready to dig into the quirky world of dung beetles and discover how these little champions are like the superheroes of soil health on farms! Join us and our guests as we chat about the fantastic benefits dung beetles bring to Australian farmers – from reducing water runoff to boosting pasture growth and improving soil in grazing systems, to keeping pests in check, and even mastering the art of carbon sequestration. These remarkable critters prove that sometimes, in the smallest packages, you find the mightiest heroes for our planet's well-being.Thank you to our guests featured in this episode: Russ Barrow Ed Hogan Keri Chittenden Michael McDonaldFor more information: Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers Dung Beetles - Local Land Services (nsw.gov.au) Join the Greater Sydney dung beetle network to learn more alongside like-minded farmers and land managersProduced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services

Riparian Zones play an integral role in the Australian landscape - from cultural heritage to agriculture, recreation, and providing habitat for aquatic and terrestrial animals. These areas are crucial for filtering water, preventing erosion, and supporting the overall productivity of the surrounding landscape. They also provide grazing, shelter, and access to water for livestock.Development and agriculture can pose a potential threat to riparian zones. Clearing, overuse, and uncontrolled stock access are some activities that can lead to erosion, habitat loss, and reduced water quality. But there are ways to look after this unique landscape.In this episode, we join three individuals who give us tips on restoring riparian land on your property. As we journey along the creek, we may glimpse one of Australia’s most shy and unique creatures.Thank you to our guests featured in this episode: Alexia Martinez - farmer Michelle Ryan - Senior Lecturer in ecology and environmental Science at Western Sydney University Lori Gould - Program Manager of the Australian River Restoration CentreFor more information or to get involved:PlatypusSPOT appAustralian Platypus Conservancy Australian River Restoration Centre Cattai Hills Environment Network (CHEN) Hosted by Edgars Greste Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services

Wildlife corridors are essential for the survival of animals. They also provide additional benefits for both the environment and agricultural productivity.Unfortunately, habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation create immense challenges for animals as they struggle to reach food, water and shelter. But there are many things that landholders can do to improve habitat connectivity and increase wildlife conservation efforts. By planting more trees and creating corridors for animals, landholders contribute to landscape resilience and benefit in many ways by preventing soil erosion, improving crop pollination and providing shelter for stock.Join us in this episode as we journey through three different landscapes and learn about initiatives protecting and restoring our landscapes and natural systems, improving habitat connectivity and benefiting landholders.Thank you to our guests featured in this episode: Angie Fricker - Senior Land Services Officer with Greater Sydney LLS Garry Watterson - Landholder Gary Howling - Chief Executive Officer of the Great Eastern Ranges Paul Madden - Project Officer with Community Environment NetworkFor more information or to get involved: Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare NetworkThe Great Eastern RangesCommunity Environment Network (CEN)Hosted by Edgars Greste and Katie MeyerProduced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services

On the road again with Matt and Edgars. This time visiting farmers who have significantly injected life back into their farms growing wine, macadamias and cherries! Biodiversity is essential for ecosystem functions that support all life on Earth. Climate change significantly impacts biodiversity through the increase in the intensity and frequency of fires, storms, or periods of drought. Farmers combat and maintain healthy ecosystems by focusing on regenerative practices such as native plantings, increasing diversity, cover cropping, microbiology and integrated pest management. In this episode, be inspired by farmers who have improved their resilience by increasing whole ecosystem biodiversity on their farms to improve pest control, pollination and carbon sequestration. Thank you to our guests Keith and Alistair Tulloch - Keith Tulloch Wines https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/ka-tulloch Ross Arnett - Malua Farm https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/r-arnett Chris and Lee Hall - Hall Family Orchards https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/cl-hall Hosted by Edgars Greste and Matt Pierce Produced by Grow Love Project for @NSWDPI and hosted by NSW Local Land Services #Bigshiftforsmallpodcast *NSW DPI understands that successful adaptations will vary between locations, industries and business.

The ⁠#ClimateSmart series explores the diverse impacts of ⁠#ClimateChange⁠ on the landscape and farmers' own experiences in practically adapting their land, systems and businesses. In this episode, we're looking at farmers who have used landscape modification including diversion banks, ponding, swales and leaky weirs to slow and store water flows during rainfall events. Along with restoring ground cover this has significantly reduce erosion and restored landscape function. Thank you to the farmers, you can watch and read their stories here: Scott Preisig and Belinda Scott, Merrylands Station, Kerrigundi, NSW dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/blake-preisig Glenn Morris, Billabong Farm, Inverell, NSW dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/g-morris Martin Royds, Jillamatong Farm, Braidwood, NSW dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/m-royds Watch all the Climate Smart films: dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/climate/digital-agriculture/farmer-stories Your hosts Edgars Greste @growloveproject and Matt Pierce @NSWDPI Producers Edgars Greste, Susannah Kable and Katie Meyer Produced by @growloveproject for @NSWDPI and hosted by NSW Local Land Services #Bigshiftforsmallpodcast *NSW DPI understands that successful adaptations will vary between locations, industries and business.

You know that phrase if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Now, depending on which Wikipedia entry you read, either Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin or Aristotle or a bunch of other people said it. But the point is, planning is a good thing to do. It helps you identify and reach your goals, realise your vision for your property, and what lifestyle you want to leave. We've actually produced a few episodes on the topic. One on farm planning principles and planning for emergencies, which looks at flood and bushfire preparedness. But in this episode we're taking a look at a farm planning package of tools that Greater Sydney Local Land Services has produced for landowners and managers. It includes a workbook, self-assessment quiz and  mapping tool to make this process easier. We'll hear from some new farmers who've trialed the tools to help them get their ideas out of their head and onto some paper or in the computer, and also help them think about stuff that wasn't even on their radar.  But first we’re going to get some farm planning fundamentals from coach Kim Deans. Let's get planning. The workbook and self assessment resources are available to download on the LLS website  https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/greater-sydney/key-projects/small-farms-network/property-planning-resources Thank you to all our guests: Richard Stephens and Madeleine Florin from Greater Sydney Local Land Services  Kim Deans https://www.reinventingagriculture.com.au/kim-deans Kirrily Smith, Farmer David Adderton, Farmer