WELCOME!
To the fifth edition of the Greater Sydney Small Farms Network enewsletter- August 2019.
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A big thank you to those who have filled in this survey.
If you haven't had a chance yet, have your say by following this link. There are five prizes up for grabs, your choice of a soil or water test when you complete the survey.
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Mobile abbatoir granted licence in NSW
How climate change is affecting what we grow and eat
NSW goverment beefs up farm trepass laws
Funding announced for Soils For Life Program
WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
The good dirt for small farms workshop-10 August 2019
Mulgoa Vertebrate Pest Group meeting-14 August 2019
Sustainable food business innovation workshop-16 August 2019
The bush tucker garden workshop-17 August 2019
Compost and soil moisture field day-23 August 2019
Menangle fox campaign Spring 2019 workshops
Koala Fest Hawkesbury-8 September 2019
Risk and rewards of farming in a changing climate conference-10 September 2019
Plant biosecurity online training
FUNDING & REBATES
PhD Scholarship on soil carbon monitoring
RESEARCH
Probiotics study shows promise in treating disease in honeybees
Creating value from edible vegetable waste
RESOURCES
Monitoring pastures
Market insights to Asian customers
Linear corridors increase farm productivity
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NEWS.
Mobile abbatoir granted licence in NSW
From 20 June 2019, Provenir became Australia's first commercially licensed mobile abattoir. Read the article HERE. Provenir currently operate in the NSW Riverina area but are taking expressions of interest from producers elsewhere. To register your interest, click HERE.
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How climate change is affecting what we grow and eat
Farmers and scientists are finding new ways to keep food on the table as rainfall patterns move and heatwaves increase. This article looks at adapting farming businesses to deal with climate change impacts. To read article, click HERE
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NSW government beefs up farm trepass laws
As of July 2019, NSW has the toughest farm trespass laws in Australia, slapping 'anti-farm vigilantes' with on-the-spot fines of up to $1000. Click HERE to read the full article.
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Funding announced for Soils For Life Program
The Prime Minister has acknowledged that “healthy soils with high carbon content are essential for any serious water resource management policy" and has recently announced funding for Soils For Life Program and the establishment of a National Soils Advocate office. To read more, click HERE or visit the Soils for Life website.
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WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
The good dirt for small farms workshop
Date: Saturday 10 August 2019
Time: 9:30am-3pm
Cost: FREE
Venue: Pokolbin, Hunter Valley
(address will be provided at registration)
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This soil and compost workshop will be led by renowned Agroecologist David Hardwick and will cover soil health, soil biology, the importance of soil tests and the benefits of compost to soil health. For further information, click HERE. To register, send an email to: contact@thegooddirt.com.au
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Mulgoa Vertebrate Pest Group meeting
Date: 14 August 2019
Time: 6pm-8pm
Venue: Mulgoa Hall, 349 Littlefields Road, Mulgoa NSW 2745
Mulgoa residents are invited to a public meeting to hear about the fox control campaign in their local area. The meeting will outline the best way to reduce the impact of foxes as well as introduce the Mulgoa Vertebrate Pest Group. To register, click HERE or contact Mark Fuller on 0424 440 140 for further information.
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Sustainable food business innovation workshop
Date: Friday 16 August 2019
Time: 9:00am-4:30pm
Cost: $49.62
Venue: Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Londonderry Road, Richmond NSW 2753
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Do you have a business or startup that could create exponential outcomes in the sustainable food system? Are you curious how to get your business growth funded? This workshop will help you to build the skills you need to get a business or start up funded. For more information and to register, click HERE.
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The bush tucker garden workshop
Date: Saturday 17 August 2019
Time:10am-1pm
Cost: $75
Venue: Pocket City Farmers, 31a Mallett Street, Camperdown NSW 2050
This workshop will teach you the background of Australian native bush tucker, how to identify species, as well as how to grow, care for, propagate and harvest bush foods. For more information and to register, click HERE.
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Compost and soil moisture field day
Date: Friday 23 August 2019
Time: 11am-2pm
Cost: FREE
Venue: 40 Edwards Road, Richmond Lowlands NSW 2753
This workshop will explore the results of current compost trials and look at the benefits of compost on soil moisture. For more information and to register, click HERE.
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Menangle fox campaign workshops- Spring 2019
Workshops for the Menangle fox campaign will be held at three locations in the south west Sydney area. The campaign is about taking a whole of community approach to fox management twice a year. As part of the workshop, local residents will hear about the pest control campaign, fox control options, training and how they can participate in the campaign in their local area.
Cawdor
Date: Wednesday 21 August 2019
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Venue: Cawdor Public School, 685 Cawdor Road, Cawdor NSW 2570
To register, click HERE.
Cobbity
Date: Monday 26 August 2019
Time:6:30pm-8:30pm
Venue: Cobbity Anglican Church Hall, 330 Cobbity Road, Cobbity NSW 2570
To register, click HERE.
Wedderburn
Date: Wednesday 28 August 2019
Time:6:30pm-8:30pm
Venue: Wedderburn Christian Camp, 208 Minerva Road, Wedderburn NSW 2560
To register, click HERE.
For more information, contact Alison Towerton on 0457 511 715 or email menangle.fox@gmail.com.
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Koala Fest Hawkesbury
Date: Sunday 8 September 2019
Time: 10am-2pm
Cost: FREE
Venue: Governor Phillip Park,
George St, Windsor 2756 NSW
Bring your family along to a fun day festival with local speakers, entertainment, kids activities and stalls. Learn about koalas and how you can help to protect the threatened koala in the Hawkesbury. For further information, call 02) 4560 4525 or email koalafest@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au
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Risk and rewards in farming in a changing climate conference
Date: 10 September 2019
Time: 8am-7:30pm
Cost: $60
Venue: Orange Ex-Services Club, 231-243 Anson Street, Orange NSW 2800
The impacts of climate change are posing direct risks to agricultural systems. This conference will aim to build increased resilience and climate smart agricultural practices on the basis of good science and solid evidence through a number of speakers who are experts in their field. For more information and to register, click HERE.
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Plant biosecurity online training
A new course on reporting exotic pests and diseases is now available on Plant Health Australia's website. The course is free and takes around 15 minutes to complete. To access the online training, click HERE.
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FUNDING & REBATES
PhD Scholarship on soil carbon monitoring
There is an opportunity for anyone interested in applying for a PhD Scholarship at Curtin University in Western Australia on soil carbon monitoring. The PhD research will focus on the development of new methods for soil organic carbon monitoring. For more details, click HERE.
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RESEARCH
Probiotics study shows promise in treating disease in honeybees
Preliminary trials in a ground breaking study showed a direct correlation between gut bacterial numbers in honeybees and the overall health of beehives. Although further testing is required, this study shows that bacteria could be re-introduced into the gut of diseased bees through probiotics. To read further, click HERE.
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Creating value from edible vegetable waste
This project investigates potential ways to gain value from vegetables that would otherwise be lost to the supply chain. The project focused on brassica vegetables and carrots, and was responsible for the highly publicised idea of ‘broccoli lattes’. To read article and view video, click HERE.
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RESOURCES
Monitoring pastures
Central Coast farmer, Shannon Kelly from Full Circle Farm shows the importance of monitoring one's pastures. Suprisingly, he has found a new legume growing in his pasture that has most likely occurred due to his holistic grazing approach. View the video HERE.
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Market insights to Asian customers
Austrade have developed reports to assist Australian horticulture businesses that export, to better understand opportunities and uses for their produce as gifts and offerings during cultural festivals and events. The reports cover market snapshots, details of key events, and information on how specific fruits and nuts can fit in to event timings. See the reports HERE.
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Linear corridors increase farm productivity
There is strong science showing that well structured shelter belts and wind breaks not only support wildlife but improve productivity on farms generally. Download an informative poster HERE.
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This project is supported by Greater Sydney Local Land Services through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.  
The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that the information upon which they rely is up to date and to check the currency of the information with the appropriate officer of Local Land Services or the user’s independent adviser. For updates go to www.lls.nsw.gov.au
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