Soil Biology & Climate Resilience Field Days
By Maggie Loaring
Delatite Landcare Group and Up2Us Landcare Alliance are excited to share the successes of the Soil Biology and Climate Resiliene field days held earlier this month, having highlighted and celebrated the importance of soil and its relevance in contributing to a healthy community.
The immersive workshop saw an excellent turnout with a wide ranging group, including local landholders and secondary school students, demonstrating Mansfield community’s commitment to engaging with sustainable approaches and climate resilience.
The featured guest speakers were Phill Lee, soil microbiologist and founder of Regenerative Earth, and Dr Gundi Rhoades, veterinarian with 30 years of experience. Phill utilises his experience and expertise in soil to contribute to his role as Director of Regenerate Earth.
On Thursday Phill and Gundi delivered their presentations. Drawing on the intersection of veterinarian practices and livestock health, soil health and nutrition, Gundi stressed the criticality of reducing inputs of chemical use. She explored a range of regenerative practices in her presentation, delving into her published work, The Food Solution, and podcast content, The Regenerative Vet. Participants were highly engaged in this discussion, and it was thought provoking to be a part of such an open conversation cultivated by Gundi!
Phill complimented raising awareness of soil importance by exploring the properties of healthy soils. We learnt about the positive indicators of fungi’s mycelium, the presence of bacteria (i.e. protozoans and nematodes) and high aggregation, of which workshop attendee’s soil samples demonstrated! Phill outlined soil biology and the impact of green cover on farm resilience, utilising natural systems such as the ‘Rivers of the Air’. He demonstrated the effectiveness of building productive soils through reflection of Regenerate Earth’s recent project, 365 Days Green Cover Natural Farming in Andhra Pradesh, India, and the successes local farmers saw there.
It was on the Friday, 13 June, when Gundi and Phill demonstrated the power of observation, that participants could develop their own skill of recognising health of soil for personal management. On Friday, our group visited four local properties around Mansfield. It was an opportunity for attendees to ask personal questions about applying such practices to their own land, and indeed there was much discussion.
Thank you to Phill Lee and Gundi Rhoades for their passionate energy and the generous sharing of their expertise. We are grateful for those who offered their properties for group field trips, the Mansfield Golf Club’s assistance and hospitality, and to everyone who participated and displayed keen interest in the topics at hand.
By supporting landholders to recognise and protect soil, we are securing the future of the region’s biodiversity, climate and agricultural resilience. We hope this week’s encounters have inspired a deeper understanding about the often overlooked soil world and its significance in climate and health resilience, and that you will continue to explore the vast capabilities of these soil communities.
This project is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
