The Phillip Island Community Orchard horticulture demonstration project is experiencing a second coming, thanks to some further funding support from Westernport Water, the Phillip Island Landcare Group and the Bass Coast Landcare Network.
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Originally established in 2014, the project continues to demonstrate how to set up and develop an intensive market garden in a peri urban setting. The Phillip Island Community Orchard site has the luxury of a consistent water source, thanks to Westernport Water providing ongoing access to Class A recycled water.  This obviously increases the viability of the demonstration and also allows Westernport Water to promote the Class A recycled Water product to the community.

You are welcome to come along to this great farm visit to Jill and Michael Vella's beautiful property 'Terramirra Park Deer Farm'. The Vellas have farmed deer for over 30 years and market their products using a no waste philosophy, making a living off farming their 42 Ha property in the South Gippsland Strzelecki ranges by successfully developing new markets. Click flier below for more info.

​It took a drought and some deep reflection to turn farmer and author Charles Massy from a conventional farmer to one of the leading thinkers in regenerative agriculture today. 

Expression of interest are sought from Gippsland farmers to become participants in the 2019 Gippsland Master Tree Growers Course.  This is an amazing opportunity to increase your knowledge and apply it to your farm.  The course will be delivered by local and national leaders in tree growing on farms and involves visits to many outstanding gippsland farms and forests.  

Strzelecki Heritage Apples are a family run niche nursery business in the Strzelecki hills that grows over 400 varieties of apples including cider apples as well as numerous varieties of pears and plums. ​

Gippsland Agroforestry Network invites you to a field day at Jon and Marg Hauser's property in Glen Alvie. The field day will involve a farm walk including: Explanation of farm plan, Commercial harvest site inspection, and Small tractor demonstrations, followed by a lunchtime workshop. Lunch will be provided. Saturday 23rd of February, click flier below for further details.

Bass Coast Landcare Network have joined up with the Victorian Gorse Taskforce and the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) to bring you this informative presentation by Peter Brenton of the CSIRO, discussing how you can become involved with the ALA.
The ALA is a collaborative, national project that brings together biodiversity data from multiple sources and makes it freely available and usable online.
If you would like to read more about this great free event, and to book your place, follow the link below.
https://alaforumbass.eventbrite.com.au

Click flier to enlarge.

South Gippsland Fresh Produce are a new local enterprise based in picturesque Glen Forbes, owned by Peter McDonnell and Angelika Christensen. Peter and Angelika have worked tirelessly to set up this new innovative operation which includes picking your own strawberries, growing hydroponic vegetables and herbs, raising free range pigs, a paddock to plate restaurant and a primary produce store.
You are welcome to come along to our farm visit to learn about their multi-faceted agricultural business, on Friday the 25th of January 2019, 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Please register to join in this great event at https://sthgippslandfreshproduce.eventbrite.com.au

If you would like more information please contact Joel Geoghegan on joel.geoghegan@basscoastlandcare.org.au or call 5678 2335

GrazFert is a program developed for grazing farmers by AgVIC, and includes 

• Identification and mapping of farm management zones on your property;
• Assessment of soil fertility status and trends on your property;
• Soil testing and analysis by qualified AgVIC and or/landcare staff;
• Development of a Farm Nutrient Budget and Farm Nutrient Management Plan in conjunction with you the farmer;
• Two facilitated workshops focusing on the 4R’s- Right Product, Right Place; Right Rate and Right Time. 

If you would like to learn more or register your interest, click on the flier below to enlarge.