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Closed Organic Farming Systems
January 24, 2020 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
$25Closed Organic Farming Systems
Definition: Closed System: The aim through time is to limit external inputs into the farming system, most particularly fertilisers and manures, such that the farming system becomes a “closed” and self sustaining ecological system, whilst ensuring sustainability and nutrient maintenance of the overall farming system. ACO Standard v1 2019
The Organic Association WA has planned an exciting event looking into a closed organic farming system. There are many different views and concerns on a closed farming system and therefore we would like to create an opportunity to hear various sides of it bringing farmers together to discuss, learn and encourage each other in different approaches
Key Note Speaker
Anthony Quinlan
An experience based, well informed agronomist owner of Western Australian family owned company – Soil Dynamics and No Frills Fertilisers. After Studying Geology at UWA he fell into soil science after moving to Margaret River during the viticultural boom in the 90’s. Anthony performs land capability assessments and consults to many organic growers from vineyards to vegetables. He has also been making compost for over 20 years and was a pioneer in the development of compost extracts. In recent years he has developed a range of bio-stimulant based fertiliser products and a custom blending facility that produces prescription mineral blends for individual client needs. Anthony will try to impart some of his knowledge about soil health and how it relates to the closed system approach.
Topic Speaker
David McFall
A 4th generation farmer located in the picturesque district of Cherry Tree Pool in the Great Southern region of WA.
‘Temple Farm’ is a leading example of a agroecological farm system with many integrated projects such as Yeoman’s water harvesting, revegetation for habitat linkage, Oil Mallee agroforestry and Carbon farming. The farms production principles are strongly attuned to building soil heath courtesy microbial and humus accumulation.
David is also passionate about seeing organic farm systems and their practices get more agro-political support and heads up the newly formed grower group COBWA.His presentation will take people on a pictorial journey looking at the good bad and ugly of landscape management and some of his experiential pathways to bring back ecological function to our lands through the power of choice and action. The Independent Selection Body will consist of 3 people who have been active in the organic industry for many years and are known to the industry. They will have 7 days to select the 6 to 8 Topic Speakers based on the selection criteria.
Topic Speaker
Nick Kelly
A fifth-generation farmer, credits the change on his farm to the regenerative farming principles which the family has embraced at the 2000 hectare Hollands Track Farm.He is one of the early adopters of the practice in Western Australia – which has brought a revolutionary change in his farming strategy away from using chemicals – such as fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides – to multi-species, perennial cover crops and natural inputs such as compost extract, fish and kelp to re-establish and rebuild soil microbiology.Nick is now in his second year for organic certification and has the status of certified organic in-conversion. He has seen the change a different faming system has made to his farm, going from a dry and dusty place to large parts of it being generally green all summer. Nick will be presenting his journey – ‘A transition from chemical farming to regenerative farming.’
