Farmers focus on what we eat

“What We Eat and Grow Matters” was the focus of a workshop hosted by the Baw Baw Food Movement and Western Port Catchment Landcare Network recently.

More than 40 farmers attended the workshop at Hallora as part of the Baw Baw Food Movement event to hear Andre Leu talk about ways that farmers are embracing regenerative agriculture throughout the world.

Some farmers are reducing their use of pesticides and agricultural chemicals by refocussing their efforts on regenerative farming systems and healthy soil.

Regenerative Agriculture is an approach that embraces soil biology, biodiversity, water management, long grazing rotations, green manure crops, legumes, compost, agroforestry and landscape literacy.

As more research is done, farmers and scientists are better understanding how plants and soil organisms can not only reduce the need for chemical inputs but also effectively capture and transfer carbon from the atmosphere to the soil.

Farmers attending the workshop also visited local farmer Niels Olsen property at Hallora.

Andre believes that Niels is the first farmer anywhere in the world who is getting paid for soil carbon credits from a government regulatory system.

This is an incredible achievement and we were able to visit the farm and see the methods Niels was implementing to build soil carbon on his property.

André Leu, a farmer, author, past president of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements and signatory to the Paris Climate agreement, claims “Regenerative agriculture can not only reduce chemical inputs but can change agriculture from being a major contributor to climate change to becoming a major solution.”

André discussed a number of important issues at the workshop including: What do we know about how agricultural pesticides impact us and our environments? What is the role of natural soil processes that allow us to produce food without the use of pesticides? And can this be a solution to important climate change challenges?

André Leu, a farmer, author and past president of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, was guest presenter at the What We Eat and Grow Matters workshop.

Kira Hardy and Angela Greenall from West Gippsland Healthcare Group, and Nikki Robinson from Central West Gippsland Primary Care Partnership.

Louise Leighton and her father, Ron Vickers. Ron has always grown organic fruit and vegetables for his family in his backyard and found the event very informative.

An Hongfang, Jie Fan, Chris Alenson and Andre Leu in deep discussion during the Hallora farm visit.