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A two year regenerative agriculture project with 30 farmers improving soil biology on their farms, via an education program and demonstration plots trialing four methods on each farm. Participants share their learnings on improving their soil biology and reducing input costs with their networks via on-farm open days.

The traditional approach to soil management in South Gippsland involves the continual use of conventional fertilisers. This is expensive for farmers and has detrimental effects on the health of the soil biology, and on the wider environment through fertiliser run off into waterways. The aim of this project is to educate the farming community in South Gippsland in better ways of managing soil by shifting farmers’ focus to enhancing soil biology instead of just adding fertilisers.

Method

Using the learning method of ‘looking over the fence’, we designed the project to engage with a relatively large number of farmers [30] over a two-year period; 15 farmers in year one [2019-20] and 15 farmers in year two [2020-21]. Farmers were selected based on their willingness to learn and share their learnings with fellow farmers and Landcarers. The farmer education component includes participants attending four training sessions across the year, with Dr Mary Cole (a soil biologist) providing training on soil biology, site monitoring, and how to enhance the life in their soil.

The practical demonstration component involves each participant allocating 1.25 hectares for 1 year as a demonstration area to see which of 4 organic methods best increase soil biology on their farm. Treatments used include: control, aeration with Yeomans plough, aeration plus kelp/humate solution, aeration plus mycorrhizal fungi, aeration plus sowing with multispecies pasture. Sites are tested at the start and end of the year for soil chemistry, soil biology and soil carbon, and are grazed using regenerative grazing methods. The community education component included a project launch and presentation on soil biology, and will include public open days on each participating farm.

Key findings and conclusions:

The results for the ‘after’ soil test from the year 1 cohort will be available in October 2020. Participating farmers will be provided with assistance interpreting their soil test results (especially the soil biology results which farmers are usually less familiar with) and which method has been most successful on their property. A cost/benefit analysis will be undertaken to compare the cost of this method with that of using conventional fertilisers. Thus far the farmers are enjoying participating in this project and learning both from experts and also from each other. We intend to continue to help them collaborate by the formation of a soil biology farmer discussion group into the future.