GROW Soil Hub
We’re GROWing an amazing program of talks and discussions for a full day of learning at the Soil Hub
🌱 introductory level: no assumed knowledge
🌱🌱 advanced level: a deep dive straight into the nitty gritty
9.30am: Gates open & morning tea
10.30am: Carbon Cowboys’ Peter Byck and Allen Williams in conversation with GROW live from the US 🌱
Join US documentary filmmaker Professor Peter Byck (director of the Carbon Cowboys and Roots So Deep films) and Carbon Cowboys’ lead scientist Dr Allen Williams for an inspiring start to the GROW day.
Peter travelled to Kyneton to be the keynote speaker for the inaugural GROW in February 2025 and we’re still working together in 2026. Peter and Allen will update us on the latest results they’re seeing in their peer-reviewed research on adaptive multi-paddock grazing, check in on the GROW Paddock and open the session up to questions from us all at GROW.
11.30am: Soil test basics 🌱
with Rohan Meggs, Elders soil team and regenerative winemaker, Enders Hill Farm, Little Hampton
& Maddy Buykx, Elders agronomist
12 noon: Soil pit (beginners): what’s happening under our feet? (on in the GROW Paddock) 🌱
Simple demonstrations of how to assess soil health
With Courtney Young, farmer and soil health educator, Woodstock Flour & Soils for Life
& Kristy Stewart, farmer and soil health educator, Yan Yan Gurt West & Soils for Life
1.30pm: Over the fence comparison: what can be achieved in four years? 🌱
Research design and findings comparing neighbouring farms with different practices at Newham in the Macedon Ranges, examining soil health, plant diversity and insect populations
with Dr Christie Lam, lecturer in Sustainability, Deakin University
& Dr Aydin Enez, postdoctoral research fellow with the Centre for Regional and Rural Futures, Deakin University
2.00pm: Soil pit (advanced): identifying and correcting soil problems (on in the GROW Paddock) 🌱🌱
with Courtney Young, farmer and soil health educator, Woodstock Flour & Soils for Life
& Jack Newman-Morris, soil health educator, Highground Soils
PLUS
2.00pm: Using vermicast on farm 🌱🌱
with Nakala Maddock, Nutrisoil
2.30pm: DIY soil: what measurements and assessments can we do ourselves? 🌱
with Jade Killoran, multi-species pasture researcher, Healthy Farming Systems
3.00pm: Soil science masterclass: The microbiome beneath our feet 🌱🌱
A wide-ranging talk on the soil microbiome building on DEECA’s past and current work on the microbiome across a wide range of farming and natural environments
with Dr Dugal Wallace, research leader, Landscape and Water Sciences, Agriculture Victoria
& Dr Tim Sawbridge, Agriculture Victoria principal research scientist
3.30pm: Biologicals: what are they and what can they do? 🌱
with Mark Berndt, soil life specialist, GroundGrocer
4.00pm: The science behind Soilkee 🌱🌱
with Niels Olsen, Soilkee inventor and guests
4.30pm: Soilkee demonstration – on in the GROW Paddock 🌱🌱
with Niels Olsen, Soilkee inventor