Sustainable Agriculture in Focus at Ben Lomond

Graeme Sait, will deliver a half-day workshop in Ben Lomond on Saturday October 4th.

23rd Sep 2025

Ben Lomond is fast becoming a hub for conversations around sustainable farming and food systems, with a recent workshop drawing more than 25 people eager to learn, share experiences, and take home practical tools to use on their own properties.
The event, hosted by the Ben Lomond Landcare Group on Saturday September 13th, featured a strong line-up of speakers who each brought unique perspectives to the table. Attendees said the day was not only educational but also a welcome chance to connect with like-minded people and strengthen the local Landcare community.
Local holistic management educator and Ben Lomond resident Brian Marshall opened the session. With decades of experience in land and livestock management, Brian spoke about how land function and ecosystem processes underpin successful farming. He unpacked common challenges such as overgrazing and the importance of allowing adequate recovery times for pastures, while also highlighting how careful planning can lead to both ecological health and a cash surplus.
“I wanted the group to get back to the business of Landcare, and that was the purpose of the day,” Brian said.
Adding another dimension, guest speaker Heidi McElnea, a qualified permaculturist and owner of Highland Permaculture, encouraged participants to consider their farms and backyards as living systems. She explained how waste can be cycled back into useful resources, how permaculture design can support long-term food security, and how small actions can foster biodiversity even at the household level.
“It was a lovely group of people, and I really enjoyed hearing from everyone about their experiences and areas of interest. People can learn a lot from each other in these settings,” she said.
The third presenter, Campbell Wolfenden from Guyra Rural Services, focused on the practical. He demonstrated tools such as a refractometer and soil sampler, explaining how these simple instruments can give valuable insights into soil and pasture health. His hands-on approach resonated with participants who appreciated seeing tools in action that could be readily applied on their own farms.
Feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees described the workshop as an inspiring afternoon filled with practical ideas and plenty of robust discussion. The Ben Lomond Landcare Group has taken this encouragement on board and is already planning to run further sessions.
Several opportunities are already locked in. In November, Heidi McElnea will lead a series of practical permaculture workshops with the Guyra Neighbourhood Centre, offering everyday skills for building more resilient home gardens and communities.
The highlight, however, is the return of internationally recognised soil health educator Graeme Sait, who will deliver a half-day workshop in Ben Lomond on Saturday October 4th.
Co-founder of Nutri-Tech Solutions, Sait has presented more than 500 seminars in 20 countries and is renowned for his ability to link soil, plant, animal, and human health. His session, Soil Health and Your Wealth – Profit Building with Minerals, Microbes and Humus, promises to be a condensed yet powerful introduction to regenerative farming principles that boost both productivity and resilience.
For more information and to keep up to date with events across the Southern New England, visit snelandcare.org.au/group-events.html and sign up for the fortnightly eNews.

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