The hidden link between your dinner and fighting climate change

If you stumble across the Isbells’ farm in the summer, it’s easy to see how green it is. Lush fields and a giant solar array hint at Mark Isbell’s commitment to sustainable rice cultivation. A chat with the man himself quickly reveals how deep that commitment runs. From water and energy use conservation to creative forms of methane reduction, Mark and his family’s rice are a testament to how America’s small, family-owned and -operated farms can implement sustainable farming practices while still making a living.

The hidden link between your dinner and fighting climate change.

Stories like this have garnered media and even political attention, sparking ambitious plans not only to continue funding farmers like Mark through grants and conservation payments, but also to transform the carbon stored in their fields and the methane they keep out of the atmosphere into credits that can be sold on the private market — payments for sequestered soil carbon. These kinds of bold environmental partnerships between government, agriculture and industry are undoubtedly important, but questions remain about whether or not capitalizing on agricultural carbon sequestration is the right approach.

Read the story from Medium by Emily Turkel - “The hidden link between your dinner and fighting climate change.”

Discussions about healthy soils, great food at Tatura

The idea that we need healthy soils to grow great food will be discussed at a seminar at Tatura later this month.

The seminar, staged by the GV Food Co-operative on Monday, September 26, “Healthy Soils, Grow Great Food” aims to create an awareness of many things.

Among them, the conversion from conventional fertilizers, weed and pest management, organic systems in soil health, and the benefits these things bring to both plants and livestock.

Les Cameron from the GV Food Co-operative said the seminar will see discussion about whole of farm approach to design considerations, including the practicalities of implementation and land management practices.

He said those who should attend included primary producers looking to diversify; small holding farmers looking for sustainable farming approaches; and small to medium food manufacturers keen to open new markets.

The seminar will be held at the DEPI Centre for Excellence in Ferguson Rd, Tatura from 10:00am through to 2:30pm.

More details are available from Will Dalgliesh at 0427 743 166.

The event is supported by the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority’s “Beyond Soilcare” program, which is a part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.