Another successful ‘Healthy Landscapes’ course has been run with record attendance from landholders attending from all over the region and an average of nearly 200 acres per participating property. This valuable course is designed to help landholders learn about managing their land starting with their most valuable resource, soil.
Currently the region is experiencing an unprecedented dry period in our weather, and it’s now when learnings from the course come into their own.
“If we understand that the weather will always be variable and we learn strategies to plan for this, land managers can be armed with choices to make them more resilient when times are challenging,” says Sam White of Sidonia Beef, a long-time local regenerative farmer.
“Periods of low rainfall like we have experienced are very challenging for any farmer to navigate, but through the course we help inform the decisions that a farmer needs to make to help them through this, and to protect their most precious asset – their topsoil.”
The course covers topics such as soil management, grass identification, animal health, water and fencing management and finances. It is led by Jason McAinch and Sally Beer from the Healthy Landscapes program with in-class and on-property learnings at Sam’s farm. Sessions run through spring to autumn, so that participants understand the full growing season.
The Healthy Landscapes program is a partnership between the City of Greater Bendigo, and the Shires of Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander and Hepburn, Melbourne Water and A Healthy Coliban Catchment.
The next course is now open for new landholders and will begin in August. Register at:
www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Live-Work/Environment/Land-Management/Healthy-Landscapes
Jason McAinch and Sam White look out over Sam’s property. 
Course participants learning how to keep soil covered even in dry times.
