A $50,000 dollar project to improve soil health called Slow the Flow has begun with an interactive workshop for local farmers and landholders. The project will see 11 farmers improve their soil quality, and by doing so help to build flood and drought resilience in the shire.

Andrew Cameron, Council’s Agriculture Extension Officer, said that the first workshop was a great success, and everyone learned a lot from the day. 

“We were pleased to kick the project off with an interactive workshop held in January. At the workshop we counted worms, checked root depths and water infiltration, did brix (plant health) testing and even released some dung beetles. Overall, famers and landholders learned about soil’s amazing ability to hold and store water and how to achieve this,” Mr Cameron said.

“Currently a lot of soil in the shire is not holding the amount of water it could. With slight adjustments the soil can become healthier, and this can build flood and drought resilience whilst also protecting our water ways and reducing soil erosion.

“For example, if we increase soil carbon by just one percent, by introducing more organic matter, this could see up to one hundred and forty-four thousand litres of water stored in the soil per hectare. If the soil holds this water, it will slow the flow and stop soil or muddy water going into our waterways,” he said. 

Farmers/landholders participating in the project are:

Matthew Bleakley - Booyong

Nicole and Monty Dayman - Goonengerry

Callan Terry – Mullumbimby Creek  

Ryan Severn - Ewingsdale

Jason Browne - Clunes

Ellen Hayes - Coopers Shoot

Johan Kortenhorst – Myocum

Rob Whitton – Goonengerry

Adam Leach – Myocum

Greg Boland – Federal

Riki Eketone – Mullumbimby Creek.

Over the next two years these farmers and landholders will monitor the results of soil improvement activities with an app called Soil Mentor.

Callan Terry, one of the project participants said he really valued the opportunity to improve his soil.

“Soil is one of the earth's most valuable resources, and the need to prioritise its regeneration is crucial. The opportunity to collaborate with like-minded farmers and explore innovative methods for building and revitalising soils, and fostering resilience, is both exciting and essential. My goal is to gather meaningful data and share it with a broader community of soil-focused farmers, and help to build a mutually supportive, collaborative network,” said Mr Terry. 

Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the NSW Government is committed to boosting the resilience in the farming sector.

“Soil and good soil quality is the foundation of successful agriculture and helps our farmers to better recover from flood and drought,” Minister Moriarty said.

”Growing local knowledge in soil quality will help the community now and farmers future-proof their land.

“Taking these steps now will help grow agricultural outputs, as well as slowing or reducing erosion of our precious soil resource.”

This program is part of the $5M package of works under the Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative, which is funded by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and coordinated by Rous County Council.

If local landholders or farmers are interested in this project or want to be part of other programs like this, they are encouraged to join the Byron Farmers Network or contact Council staff. More information about the project and contact information can be found on Council’s website.