|
Biodynamic
Farming and Gardening Assoc. in Australia Inc. media release 20February 2002 (Word version
also attached) Pioneers share ‘secrets’ to
farming success.
Healthy, living soil and Natural Resource Management for Whole Farm integrity, the keys to successful farming are the central focus of two Farmbis funded workshops being presented at Mission Beach and the Tablelands in early March. All Producers and Land Managers are encouraged to nominate for these workshops presented by respected National Biodynamic Facilitator, Hamish Mackay and Award winning OFA Organic Farmer of 25 years, John Priestly. Local workshop coordinator, Michelle Bell-Turner said “The two-day workshops will focus on the whole farm system and are designed to assist producers to restore soil health and nutrition, improve water retention, reduce pest and disease problems and improve the overall farm integrity using BD techniques especially suited to Tropical conditions. Hamish Mackay has recently returned from India looking at Tropical Biodynamic techniques and properties covering Mangoes, Coconuts, Cashews, Coffee, Tea, cotton, Tropical fruits, vanilla, pepper, rice, spices and sugar cane – all important crops for North Queensland farmers and John Priestley has extensive experience with Beef and Citrus having his citrus crop pre-sold each year at $18 per carton. Ms Bell –Turner said, “The methods shown to participants are specific to the tropics and draw on the extensive research of International Agricultural Adviser Peter Proctor’s “Biodyamic Outreach Program” (8 years) and application (5 years) of successful Biodynamic techniques in Australasia and the Pacific. The workshops are farm based and will be very hands on inter-dispersed with theory and include the demonstration of building different types of compost, making liquid fertilisers and weed teas. These are all very important tools in natural resource management to help build humus and organic matter in the soil by increasing micro-organism activity, minimising weed and insect problems and thereby increasing whole farm integrity for the Land Manager.” Ms Bell-Turner, said “many farmers are seriously looking at the overall success of their farm enterprise and asking for better ways to manage the land with good viable returns. The recent high demand for the QFVG/OPAG “Future Profit” Organic Soil workshops at the DPI in Mareeba, Kairi, South Johstone and Tully by Conventional farmers is testimony to better techniques being sought by farmers.” The workshops are
scheduled over two days on Tues 5 and Wed 6 March for Mission Beach and Sat 9
and Sun 10 March for the Tablelands from 9.00am – 5.00pm. Producers and Land
Managers are eligible for Farmbis funding which provides producers with a 75%
reduction off the normal cost, bringing the price down to $130pp for the
two days inclusive of GST, lunches,
course notes, morning and afternoon teas. Biodynamics is an organic farming method geared towards improving and regenerating the soil and overall farm integrity to produce the highest quality crops. Ms Bell-Turner, said “On well run Biodynamic Farms, soil fertility and whole farm system improves noticeably year by year. Supermarkets, governments and many producers now recognise, the market for organic and biodynamic food is expanding rapidly and premium prices are being paid for quality certified produce.” These workshops offer helpful methods and the keys to success for Farmers who want to switch to Organic and Bio-dynamic management techniques but feel it is too difficult or fear overwhelming weed problems. Workshop registration and
payment in advance is necessary to secure the training at this farmbis
subsidised price.
Please book promptly with Michelle
Bell-Turner on phone 07 40952 194 or email:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] This is a great learning opportunity and places are limited to 20 per workshop, so book in early.
///ends/// For further details and interviews
contact: Local Coordinator –
Michelle Bell-Turner (07) 40952194 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] OR Cheryl Kemp & Hamish Mackay Biodynamic Farming
& Gardening Assoc in Australia Inc
phone (02) 6655 0566 fax (02) 6655 0565 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] |
PRESS RELEASE - NTH QUEENSLAND.DOC
Description: MS-Word document
