Taupo Bay Farm Field Day, Tuesday Jan 31
and
Peria Marae Farming and Waterways Wananga, Wednesday Feb 1
The Association of Biological Farming and the Doubtless Bay Community Catchment Care programme are grateful to Erica and Lindsay Whyte for kindly making their Taupo Bay farm available for the coming field day on Economic and Ecological farming this Tuesday, January 31.
While concern is growing about the impacts of land use on the health of our waterways and harbours, many landowners are pro-active in caring for the sustainability of the productive base of their farms - essentially the soil - and limiting negative effects beyond the boundaries of their properties. The Whytes have been steadliy increasing protection of gullies and streams with fencing and tree planting and have also modified their fertiliser regime to reduce leaching to the environment. Results include an actual increase in productivity - and the farm looks beautiful!
All are welcome to attend Tuesday's Field Day, see what is working in our local area, and share their own farming experiences.
The programme for the day:
Venue: 567 Taupo Bay Road
9:30am: Start and register
10 am: Welcome, introductions. Outline of the ABF project: Nicole Masters. Defining biological farming.
10.25 Lindsay: Story, success and goals. Questions and discussions from all.
10.50 Participatory process. Group discussions, what is our vision for agriculture in New Zealand?
11:20am outside – Overview of farm and points of interest then break into 3 groups and circulate around stations where 3 farmers speak on different topics pertinent to the farm or soil:
Station 1 – diverse pastures, biodiversity and bees – Grant Fallon
Station 2 – Soil and herbage testing - Andreas Kurmann
Station 3 – Grazing management
12.30 lunch
1:20 pm - Visual soil indicators with Nicole - walk to the trench to view soil profile. In groups, discuss points of interest to ask speakers. Discussions.
2:15 Back to the shed - reflections and discussions from questions raised from the walk.
2:45 Acknowledgements, windup and prize draw
3 pm: END
The following day, Wednesday February 1, there will be a Wananga and display at Te Kauhanga Marae, Peria covering the main points of the Biological Farming approach. Information on the Doubtless Bay Community Catchment programme, with an update on the progress of the Catchment Nursery being established at Mangonui, will also be presented.
Nicole Masters, from Integrity Soils and the Association of Biological Farmers, is passionate about the positive role biological agriculture plays in providing healthy nutritious food, bottom line benefits for farmers, while reducing impacts on the wider environment. Nicole will present a compelling argument for why a shift in agricultural practices is required today. By building observation skills, farmers can determine why issues such as weeds, pests and disease are occurring and address them at the root causes, reducing the need for costly inputs. Nicole will cover what weeds are indicating, and how you can banish them from your property.
Programme at Peria Marae: Wednesday Feb 1
9.30 am: Powhiri
10 am: cup of tea
10.30: Nicole Masters - introduction to Biological Farming with insights into weeds as indicators of soil condition
11.00: Andreas Kurmann - Farm inputs and caring for the health of our waterways
11.30: Soozee McIntyre - Planting native trees for cleaner waterways, the Raglan experience and how we can make it happen here.
11.45: Discussion
12: Finish
The Wharenui will remain open until 3.30pm for people to view the displays and chat with Nicole and Soozee
Both these events are free and a warm welcome is extended to all.
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