In this episode of The Big Shift for Small Farms podcast, host Edgars Greste explores the complex topic of weeds and ecological management. Joined by agroecologist Kim Deans, they challenge traditional chemical-based weed control and advocate for a more holistic approach that integrates weed management with overall soil health and farm sustainability.
Listeners will hear from farmers like Alexia Martinez and Kym Green, who share their experiences balancing weed control with sustainable practices such as composting, cover crops, and natural remedies. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding weeds’ ecological roles, monitoring soil health, and embracing a mindset that sees weeds as part of the natural ecosystem—not merely as pests to be eliminated.
Thank you to our guests featured in this episode:
Kim Deans
Alexia Martinez
Kym Green
For more information:
Reinventing Agriculture (with Kim Deans) - https://www.reinventingagriculture.com.au/kim-deans
Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd - https://biodynamics.net.au/
Kym Green - https://www.facebook.com/Kymgreenlenswood/
Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.
In this episode of the Big Shift for Small Farms Podcast, host Edgars Greste chats with dairy farmer Andy Hanna, whose farm is located in the heart of greater Sydney, amidst the growing impact of suburban sprawl. With farming pressures like unpredictable climate conditions and tight financial margins, Andy’s story is a powerful example of adapting and thriving against the odds.
Edgars recently had the chance to visit Andy’s farm and was impressed by the work and evolution of his farming practices. Andy’s approach to low-input, ecological farming focusing on rotational grazing, boosting pasture biodiversity, and working with natural nutrient cycles, offers valuable, practical examples of how to make a big shift toward sustainability. This conversation is full of insights on building resilience into farming systems while supporting the environment and the community.
Thank you to our guest, Andy Hanna, featured in this episode.
For more information:
AG360 Rotational Grazing Planner - https://ag360.com.au/#!/out
Multispecies pastures podcast episode - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/the-big-shift/episodes/Multispecies-Pastures-e2i8dgt
Soil Amendments podcast episode (featuring Dairy farmer Gavin Chittick) - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/the-big-shift/episodes/Understanding-Soil-Amendments-to-Boost-Soil-Fertility-e2go7l2
Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.
In this episode of the Big Shift for Small Farms podcast, we explore the idea of natural capital—the economic and environmental value of nature. Joined by natural capital advisor Madeleine Florin and farmers Ned Long and Rhiannon Phillips, the conversation highlights regenerative land management practices, the advantages of enhancing natural capital, and new market opportunities. The episode includes practical examples and discusses the impacts on farming, communities, and personal well-being, underscoring the link between environmental stewardship and economic resilience.
Thank you to our guests featured in this episode:
Madeleine Florin
Ned Long
Rhiannon Phillips
For more information:
NSW LLS - Natural Capital: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/natural-capital
NSW LLS - Natural Capital Service Finder:
Natural Capital service finder - Local Land Services (nsw.gov.au)
Mountains Gourmet (Rhiannon’s market garden and services): https://www.mountainsgourmet.com/
Farming for the Future: https://farmingforthefuture.org.au/
Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services
Welcome to an insightful podcast episode uncovering the intricate world of Southeast New South Wales' diverse soils. Come on a journey with Di and Steven in their transition from dairy to beef production by focusing on soil health and the impact of soil quality on farming practices. We’ll hear from Roy Lawrie, a seasoned soil expert, and Andrew Britton, former Small Farms Coordinator for the South Coast region, as they demystify the complexities of soil management. We’ll learn about crucial topics such as the significance of topsoil and subsoil tests, the variability in soil profiles across landscapes, the persistent challenges of weed management, and the presence of acid sulfate soils. This episode equips you with invaluable tips on soil and weed management, aimed at elevating farmers' ability to enhance land health and embrace regenerative farming practices.
Thank you to our guests featured in this episode:
Diana Ferguson and Stephen Shipton
Roy Lawrie
Wayne Brown
Andrew Britton
For more information:
NSW Soils Knowledge Network - https://www.nswskn.com/
Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services
Ever wondered about regenerative agriculture and the impacts it can have on farmers? Join us as we learn about real life experiences shared by seasoned farmers at the recent Soil Stewardship Summit near Yass, NSW. Over two enlightening days, participants explored the concept of regenerative agriculture, discussing key topics such as tapping into indigenous wisdom, enhancing drought resilience, transitioning from high production to natural methods, and prioritizing soil health for improved yields and healthier societies. The stories embody values of patience, gratitude, and deep respect for nature, offering valuable inspiration for those considering or embarking on the journey towards sustainable farming practices. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that encapsulates the transformative power of regenerative agriculture and a return to natural processes.
Thank you to our guests featured in this episode:
Eli Court (Soils for Life)
Paul Girrawah House
Rhonda Daly
Colin Seis
Garry Kadwell
David Marsh
For more information:
Produced by growloveproject.com and hosted by NSW Local Land Services
Biology drives nearly all processes in our soil. From structure and water infiltration, to nutrient cycling and disease suppression. Until recently the biological function of soil has largely been overlooked in favour of soil physics and chemistry. So to find out more about the beauty of bugs we spoke with soil microbiologist, Kelvin Montagu
Thank you to our guest featured in this episode:
Kelvin Montagu
For more information:
Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services
Curious about the buzz surrounding multi-species pastures and its game-changing role in regenerative agriculture? Join us to hear expert insights from Sarah Fea, an experienced agroecologist, who explores the diversity of advantages that multi-species brings to the table. We look into the significance of improving soil health, biodiversity, efficiency of resources, pest control, and creation of resilient landscapes. Gain valuable insights from on-field farmers as they share their journeys experimenting with multi-species pastures, revealing the substantial benefits they've reaped through the transition to diverse pastures.
Thank you to our guests featured in this episode:
Sarah Fea
Adam and Jody Turner
Greg Mumm
For more information:
Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services
This episode explores the importance of soil and soil management for agriculture and the environment, focusing on the soils of the Sydney region. Experts from the New South Wales Soil Knowledge Network share their expertise on topics such as geology, soil formation, soil types, erosion, and assessing soil health. The conversation highlights the role of organic matter, irrigation, and soil samples in managing different soil types. Listeners will gain a better understanding of the value of soil and practical tips for improving soil health. Let's make the world greener and healthier, one soil particle at a time!
Thank you to our guests featured in this episode:
Greg Chapman
Tony Voller
Madeleine Florin
Cathy Sherry
For more information:
Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services
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 McDonald
For more information:
Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services
In this episode, we explore soil amendments and their role in enhancing soil fertility. Accompanied by farmers from Kangaroo Valley, we delve into their strategic use of compost and diverse amendments to enhance soil health. Former Senior Agricultural Advisor Ed Hogan presents a comprehensive soil biology demonstration, offering invaluable insights for the farming community - recognising the significance of tailoring agricultural approaches to meet the distinctive needs of each soil and steering clear of a generic 'one-size-fits-all' methodology. Tune in to discover which amendments could potentially elevate the soil fertility on your farm.
Thank you to our guests featured in this episode:
Brad Hawthorne
Gavin Chittick
Edmund Hogan
For more information:
Produced 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 Centre
For more information or to get involved:
Australian 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
Many landholders have been promoting biodiversity and wildlife conservation on their property for many years. Not only is this beneficial for the environment, but through conservation agreements, landholders benefit financially from protecting their patches.
Landholders can be involved in a variety of different programs and conservation agreements. One of the main aspects is landholders need to have native vegetation in good condition on their land. In terms of size, smaller farms can collaborate to create larger parcels that may be eligible for financial compensation.
In this episode, we’ll hear from private landowners who have been managing biodiversity and promoting wildlife conservation on their land for years - and they have benefited from it in many ways.
Thank you to our guests featured in this episode:
Bev Debrincat - Chair of Greater Sydney Landcare, landholder
Xuela Sledge - Koala Project Officer with Greater Sydney Landcare
Matt Carr - acting director of the Biodiversity Conservation Trust
Jocelyn Howden - founder of the Glenorie Wildlife Refuge
For more information or to get involved:
Landholder guide to conservation agreements
Biodiversity Conservation Trust
Hosted by Edgars Greste
Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services
Citizen Science has been around for a long time. It has allowed vast amounts of data to be collected and analysed within a relatively short period by getting members of the public to participate in scientific research.
This research is invaluable as it helps to inform natural resource management, increase environmental protection and inform policy and decision making. It also benefits individuals as they can engage in research and provide public input.
There are numerous citizen science opportunities for landholders to get involved in, whether it be about frogs, tree hollows, scats, or even ferals - there is something for everyone.
Join us as we speak with three motivated individuals working in this space across diverse topics and landscapes, from water to earth to sky.
Thank you to our guests featured in this episode:
Lilly Schwartz - founder of the Hills Hornsby Rural Koala Project
Jessica Lumbroso - Land Care Coordinator and Streamwatch Coordinator for the Greater Sydney Land Care
Ben Humphries - Coordinator of the Southern NSW Birds on Farms Project
For more information or to get involved:
Hills Hornsby Rural Koala Project
Australian Citizen Science Association (in partnership with Atlas of Living Australia)
Hosted by Edgars Greste and Katie Meyer
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 Network
For more information or to get involved:
Hawkesbury-Nepean Landcare Network
Community Environment Network (CEN)
Hosted by Edgars Greste and Katie Meyer
Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services
Livestock farming has been practiced for over 10,000 years, so understandably there are many different approaches, particularly when adapting to climate change. Climate change affects livestock production, both directly through heat stress and indirectly through effects on grassland and species distribution. Farmers are innovatively managing their livestock to improve productivity and reduce environmental impacts. The techniques vary, including rotational grazing, precision genetics, species stacking and intensive feeding systems. This episode features three farmers who share how, by implementing these management techniques, they have maintained production during extreme climate events, making their businesses more resilient.
Thank you to our guests
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/m-martin
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/s-lugsdin
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/lp-winder
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.
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
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/ka-tulloch
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/r-arnett
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.
Soil is one of the most undervalued substances on this planet, but farmers know that our future depends on the health of our soil. Maintaining healthy soils improves productivity and resilience on farms and also plays a role in tackling climate change by capturing and storing vast amounts of carbon. Recent climatic changes contribute to many soil issues like erosion, nutrient imbalance, water logging and loss of soil biodiversity. In this episode several farmers share their experiences of cover cropping, soil testing and using compost and organic fertilisers to improve soil health and structure and increase soil carbon for a more resilient farm and planet. Healthy agricultural soils allow functional biology (food webs) and chemistry (nutrient cycling) for efficient and sustainable productivity. Hear from 3 farmers implementing practices to sustain their soils and how they've buffered the impacts from sever climate events.
Thank you to our guests
• John and Juanita Hamparsum, Drayton Station
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/jj-hamparsum
• Peter and Darcy Skipworth, Currebah
• Justin and Pip Jarrett, See Saw Wines
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/jp-jarrett
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.
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 adopted digital technology that have allowed them to improve their productivity, achieve efficiencies, respond to the climate risk, and adapt their enterprises.
Thank you to the farmers, you can watch and read their stories here:
Vito Mancini blood orange farm, Redbelly Citrus, Griffith NSW
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/v-mancini
Ewan and Kevin McAsh, Oyster Life Management on the Clyde River near Batemans Bay NSW
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/ke-mcash
Ian and Pru Pearce, Stoneleigh Orchard near Orange NSW
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/stories/ip-pearce
Watch all the Climate Smart films: https://www.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
