9am Peter Byck – Carbon Cowboys – Roots So Deep: Stories from farmers and scientists about soil health and farmer wealth

Guided by director and wrangler of scientists Peter Byck, “Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there)” is a four-part documentary series about adaptive cattle farmers and their conventional neighbours across the fence and about a group of maverick scientists conducting groundbreaking research that explores the costs and benefits of grazing in harmony with nature, versus grazing in conflict with nature.

In this inspiring presentation to set us all up for an incredible day of learning and community building, Peter screens clips from the series and discusses research results from the 10-year, US$10m research project – research that asks: can this simple change in grazing practice help farmers get out of debt, restore their depleted soils, rebuild wildlife habitat and draw down huge amounts of carbon?

10am Courtney Young – Woodstock Flour – A practical roadmap for regenerative grain growing           

Courtney Young is a farmer and agroecological coach from northeast Victoria and is dedicated to growing grain in a way that nourishes the soil and produces delicious and nutritious food. Drawing on her on-the-ground experience, her work with Soils for Life and training through Integrity Soils, she’ll share a practical roadmap for regenerative grain growing that restores landscape function, strengthens communities and is financially viable for farmers.

11am Jack Tucker – Rhynie Pastoral – Transitioning a business to regenerative farming

Jack Tucker will present how he and his wife, Celia Tucker, have navigated the journey to a resilient farming system at their home farm, a 2000ha sheep and cropping enterprise near the Grampians in western Victoria. The Tucker’s regenerative approach to farming encompasses both conservation and productivity as well as numerous community conservation initiatives, including their Shepherd's Hut Sanctuary.

Noon Colette Glazik A Wolf called Opportunity: Research into carbon and nature markets examining where the value is for agriculture

Colette Glazik will being her Nuffield Scholarship topic to GROW, sharing her learnings on carbon and nature markets. Producers and consumers will learn where the value lies in carbon and nature markets and hear cautionary tales of what to be aware of – while looking at achieving value for farmers who put the effort into increasing carbon and nature metrics on their properties.

1pm Joel Williams – Integrated Soils – Soil health in transition: What does healthy soil look like and how do we achieve it?                 

Joel Williams is an independent plant and soil health educator providing lectures, workshops and consultation on soil management, plant nutrition and integrated approaches of sustainable food production. He joins GROW travelling from his home in Canada and in this presentation will explain what soil is and how we can achieve healthier soil on the land we manage.

2pm Rowan Reid When harvesting trees is an act of conservation

Forester among famers Rowan Reid explores the question: What if there is a way landholders could profit from harvesting timber from the trees they plant for stock shelter, biodiversity, erosion control and beautification – while also helping control climate change?

3pm Laura Dalrymple – Feather and Bone – How we created a community of engaged consumers who value regen farming, the farmers and the animals

Laura Dalyrmple shares the fascinating story of Feather and Bone butchery – of Marrickville and Waverley in Sydney – and what she’s learned along the way about the active role we can all play in supporting better land, animal and human welfare.

4pm Professor Ruth Nettle – The University of Melbourne – How to build and support farming communities’ resilience, engagement and education to ensure reward in agriculture

Renowned for her work in building communities of practice, hear from Professor Ruth Nettle on how to support young people into agriculture and consider how a holistic approach encourages young people to enter and – importantly – to stay in agriculture.

5pm > Stage two Peter Byck with Professor Ruth Nettle