On The Land
21 June, 2025
Farmers embrace change
EIGHT farming operations have taken up an opportunity to learn more about how they can make their farms more resilient.
Sally Fields has crafted a farmer practice change workshop program that includes peer to peer learning, on farm sessions and a mentoring program.
“We have been working with eight farm businesses since April as part of Atherton Tablelands Integrated Collaboration Project, with funding from Sustainable Table and the Queensland Government’s Office of the Great Barrier Reef,” Sally said.
To date the group has traversed soil health, how to monitor, strategies for reducing inputs and building on farm resilience.
Last week, the group took a deep dive into holistic management, with Brian Wehlburg at the helm.
“Farmers will walk away with a grazing management plan and a deep understanding of ecosystem processes and how to use the tool of grazing to manage the landscape regeneration,” Sally said.
“We are part way through the year-long program with the practice change cohort followed up with an on-farm planning session which will identify next steps and required tools and infrastructure to enable their plan.”
Tropical fruit farmer Jessica Villani is one of the producers taking the course.
“This program has been invaluable in planning for resilience on my farm,” she said.
“Learning alongside people from diverse farming backgrounds and site visits to growers and suppliers in our area has strengthened the networks in our local food systems.
“The expert knowledge provided by the facilitators has been life changing.”
Sally says they are planning another intake for a farmer cohort later this year. Anyone interested can email Sally at naturalfieldssolutions@gmail.com
