Media release - Symposium aims to put regenerative agriculture on the food production menu
GBSAN Media release
2 July 2021
SYMPOSIUM AIMS TO PUT REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE ON THE FOOD PRODUCTION MENU
Renowned author and advocate of regenerative agriculture, Charles Massy will be the keynote speaker at a day-long symposium in Stanthorpe on 4 September. Hosted by the Granite Belt Sustainable Action Network (GBSAN) the symposium aims to engage horticulturists, orchardists, graziers and wine producers in a discussion around the need and the business case for transitioning to more sustainable agricultural production systems.
“It’s a bit of a coup to have Charlie Massy at the symposium. He is in high demand as a speaker, particularly since the release of his best-selling book, “Call of the Reed Warbler”, and his appearance on the ABC’s Australian Story in September 2020. There is no doubt that in the era of climate change and COVID, how we produce our food and how to sustain food production into an uncertain future is a hot topic,” according to Rick Humphries, Convenor of GBSAN.
“As one of the major food-producing regions in Australia and given the recent fires, record-breaking drought and on-going climate variability we are experiencing we felt the time was ripe to kick start the discussion around regenerative agriculture, a focus on soil management as the key to sustainability and how this can benefit and assist growers achieve greater productivity and profitability.”
“The symposium is squarely aimed at engaging primary producers to introduce them to some of the key concepts and better understand the opportunities in and barriers to a transition to methods of production that have both an economic and an environmental benefit. Of course we all rely on a healthy agricultural sector on the Granite Belt, so we want the non-farming public to participate as well,” he said.
“Regenerative agriculture has had a very heavy focus on grazing and cropping. What makes this forum unique is that we take the basic regenerative agriculture principles and apply them to viticulture, horticulture and tree crops. I don’t believe this has been done before.”
“Innovation and change has always been the hallmark of Australian agriculture. With all the climatic, market and cost pressures facing our farmers, innovation and change and how to manage that change has never been more relevant. We are aware that there continues to be a robust debate around regenerative agriculture, a debate which is necessary and useful but it’s important it is well-informed and constructive. We are aiming to kick-start a positive discussion on regenerative agriculture in our region and this symposium is the starting point,” Mr Humphries concluded.
The symposium has the support of the Granite Belt Growers Association and the Traprock Group Association and speakers will include local growers who are or have transitioned to more sustainable management regimes. John Bennett, Professor of Soil Science at USQ and Paul McDonald CEO of the region's natural management body, Southern QLD Landscapes will also present. The day will also include an interactive panel of growers exploring opportunities and barriers. It will be held at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre from 8am to 4.30pm on Saturday 4 September 2021.
Web address: https://www.gbsan.org.au/events/symposium2021
Contact: Anna Purvis symposum2021@gbsan.org.au or Sue Frances info@gbsan.org.au