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What if your chickens could do more than just lay eggs? In this episode, we explore how mobile chook sheds can improve soil health, boost pasture growth, and reduce fertiliser costs through better nutrient cycling. Featuring insights from farmers and soil experts, this episode unpacks the nitrogen cycle, pasture recovery, dung beetles, and practical tips for building healthier, more profitable farming systems.Key episode moments[00:02:00] Rising fertiliser costs forced a new approach.[00:04:00] The business started with 50 chooks in a caravan.[00:09:00] Chicken manure improves nitrogen and soil health.[00:10:00] Nitrogen efficiency is low without good management.[00:18:00] Moving sheds regularly helps control manure load.[00:22:00] Dung beetles help spread nutrients naturally.[00:28:00] Changing rainfall affects pasture recovery times.[00:30:00] Start small and build the system slowly.Extra Show Notes LinksClean Coastal Catchments Program nitrogen and dairy pasture video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq--upG4xXsNSW DPI fact sheet on chicken manure use in pastures in the associated links with the podcast:https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/140359/Best-practice-guidelines-for-using-poultry-litter-on-pastures.pdf Sam and Pru Pincott’s pasture-raised egg enterprise holbrookpaddockeggs.com.auWatch a film we made about them youtube.com/watch?v=YqQjQ_IL6mIVirginia Mall’s regenerative mixed farming operation gracespringsfarm.com.auDung Beetles Podcast Episode – The Big Shift for Small Farmsopen.spotify.com/episode/2Yi2M7FK0JZtmNulR6vKkr?si=bmWzC9iaSqCOe7FDhbLZtAIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a fellow horse owner, and leave a review — it helps us continue bringing these important conversations to life.Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.
What if you could add value to your farm without scaling production? In this episode, we explore pick-your-own as a diversification strategy—covering the realities, the opportunities, and what farmers need to know before opening the gate.Key episode moments Is pick-your-own actually more profitable than wholesale? From city life to farming: buying a rundown blueberry farm with no experience COVID pivot: opening the gates and inviting the public in Why customers—not strategy—often drive the shift to PYO Burnout from farmers markets → “people are paying me to pick my fruit” Location matters—but people will travel for the experience The reality of customers: education, behaviour & managing expectations Does it stack up? Labour savings vs crop loss and margins Marketing that works: social media timing + a strong website Final advice: start small, ask for help, and know if it suits your personalityRead the full transcripthttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1vvs2_PqBmqMlhXEjoZjc3Ul332DDtBl2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103831811474414598304&rtpof=true&sd=trueExplore more from our guests below:meliorafarm.com.aucedarcreekorchards.com.auhigginscreekfarm.com.auWant more info about our pick your own guide. Click the link below:https://forms.gle/M4uShQbCU954w2JEAIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a fellow horse owner, and leave a review — it helps us continue bringing these important conversations to life.Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.
The episode urges horse owners to shift from viewing land as turnout to thinking like “grass farmers,” linking soil biology, plant diversity and grazing decisions to horse health.We hear from horse behaviour expert Jane Myers who explains how separating horses and giving constant paddock access drives fence-walking, overgrazing and worn-out land, and she shares a simple yet transformative pasture paddock setup with her Equicentral system.Hoof care professional Faith Robinson redesigned her NSW property with a track and laneways to boost movement, choice, and pasture recovery. Agroecologist Nicole Masters links soil biology and plant diversity to nutrition, hoof and behavioural issues and urges owners to get curious by digging and reading “weeds” as indicators, and promotes diverse browse and nutrition supplements to reduce reliance on routine chemical worming.Key episode moments Grass Farmer Mindset Meet the Guests Faiths Property Transformation From Bored Horses to Choice Jane on Behavior and Overgrazing Nicole on Pasture Diversity Soil Biology Basics Weeds as Soil Clues Rest and Second Bite Rule Stubby Test and Laminitis Equicentral System Explained Faiths Track and Laneways Design for Movement and Browse Rethinking Worming Manure Management and Dung Beetles Resilience in Drought and Flood Wrap Up and ResourcesIf this episode sparked new ideas about horse care, grazing, and land stewardship, you can explore more from our guests below:Founder of Equiculture and educator in regenerative horse and land management.Learn more about the Equicentral system and Jane’s courses:Free Equiculture mini-course: equiculture.net/equiculture-free-mini-courseAgroecologist and soil educator helping landholders understand what’s happening beneath the surface.Explore Nicole’s Soil Horse Course and other training programs:integritysoils.com/products/soil-horse-courseHoof care professional and horse owner sharing her real-world journey into regenerative horse management.tranquilisland.com.auIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with a fellow horse owner, and leave a review — it helps us continue bringing these important conversations to life.Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.
Depending on the time of day you're reading this, chances are you have a cup of tea, coffee or glass of wine in hand. And so you are already relying on pollination, and that's what this episode's all about because without healthy pollinators, so many of the foods and beverages we love simply wouldn't exist.In the latest episode of The Big Shift for Small Farms Podcast, we explore how pollination underpins our food system and why its future matters to us all. We visit Bill Shields’ apple orchard in Bilpin to hear about a mysterious event that has left him with virtually no apples on his trees this season.We'll sit down with Native Bee expert Dr. Tim Heard, who spent his career uncovering the hidden world of Australia's native bee pollinators.And in the wake of the varroa mite, we also hear from someone who's been on the ground with farmers and beekeepers, learning from their experiences supporting their recovery, and helping chart a path forward for resilient pollination into the future.Featured in this episodes:Bill Shields - Apple farmer, Shields Orchard Bilpin (shieldsorchard.com)Dr. Tim Heard - Australian native stingless bee expert (sugarbag.net)Emily Noordyke - Project officer, National Varroa Mite Management Program (varroa.org.au)Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.
Episode Title: Ecological Weed ManagementHost: Edgars GresteGuest: Kim Deans, Agro-ecologist (with special contributions from Alexia Martinez & Kym Green)In this episode of The Big Shift for Small Farms, Edgars Greste takes a deep dive into the often-overlooked subject of weeds — and how thinking differently about them can transform your small farm. Joining him is agro-ecologist Kim Deans, who challenges traditional chemical-based weed control, and instead advocates for a holistic weed-management strategy grounded in soil health, biodiversity and sustainable farm practices.You’ll also hear from farmers Alexia Martinez and Kym Green as they share firsthand experiences of integrating compost, cover-crops and natural remedies into their weed-control practices — showing how a small-farm operator can manage weeds and build a healthier ecosystem at the same time.Why weeds aren’t just pests — they are indicators of underlying soil, pasture or ecosystem health issues.How to shift from a reactive “spray-and-pray” mindset to a proactive system-based approach focusing on soil biology, cover crops, grazing and pasture competition.Practical strategies for small farms in Australia: implementing cover crops, compost, rotational grazing and non-chemical weed suppression methods.Real-world farm stories: how Alexia Martinez and Kym Green are balancing weed control with regenerative practices on their properties.00:00 – 05:00 → Introduction: why weed management needs a rethink in small-scale agriculture05:01 – 15:00 → Guest segment: Kim Deans’ journey from traditional farming to agro-ecology15:01 – 30:00 → Core principles: ecosystem thinking, soil health and weeds as signals30:01 – 45:00 → Practical tactics for small farms: cover crops, compost, grazing, and timing45:01 – 55:00 → Farmer voices: Alexia Martinez & Kym Green share their storiesBiodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd: https://biodynamics.net.au/Kym Green: https://www.facebook.com/Kymgreenlenswood/Free Guide: Weeds as Indicators of Soil Health (via Reinventing Agriculture) Reinventing AgricultureWhere to from here?Walk a paddock, and document which weeds are present, how dense they are — and ask: What might they be signalling about soil health or pasture competition?Choose a paddock to trial a cover-crop (or increased ground cover) this season. Compare weed pressure at the end of the season with a part of the paddock left under current management.Talk to a neighbour/mentor/agribusiness about integrating grazing or compost strategies to suppress a particular persistent weed species you face.Then, set a reminder: revisit the same paddock in 3 months, note changes and score weed pressure on a scale of 1-10. Reflect: What changed? What still needs adjusting?On smaller farms, conventional large-scale weed-control methods (heavy chemical sprays, large machinery) may be less economical or sustainable. By adopting an ecological approach, you gain:Improved soil health that supports your desired plants & crops, not just suppression of weeds.Reduced reliance on chemical inputs and lowered costs — especially relevant in tight-margin scenarios.More resilient systems: healthier soils and beneficial plant cover help your farm bounce back from droughts, floods or other extreme conditions.As Kim Deans reminds us: “Weeds are not just your enemy — they’re nature’s message.” When you begin to listen, to interpret what those weeds are telling you about your soil, pasture and farm system, you shift from reacting to guiding your system. This isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress, one paddock and one season at a time.—Thank you for tuning in. If this episode resonated, please subscribe, leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a fellow small-farm operator or land manager who might benefit. Until next time — keep observing, adapting and growing.
In this episode of the Big Shift for Small Farms Podcast, host Edgars Greste chats with dairy farmer Andy Hanna, whose farm is located in the heart of greater Sydney, amidst the growing impact of suburban sprawl. With farming pressures like unpredictable climate conditions and tight financial margins, Andy’s story is a powerful example of adapting and thriving against the odds.Edgars recently had the chance to visit Andy’s farm and was impressed by the work and evolution of his farming practices. Andy’s approach to low-input, ecological farming focusing on rotational grazing, boosting pasture biodiversity, and working with natural nutrient cycles, offers valuable, practical examples of how to make a big shift toward sustainability. This conversation is full of insights on building resilience into farming systems while supporting the environment and the community.Thank you to our guest, Andy Hanna, featured in this episode.For more information: AG360 Rotational Grazing Planner - https://ag360.com.au/#!/out Multispecies pastures podcast episode - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/the-big-shift/episodes/Multispecies-Pastures-e2i8dgtSoil Amendments podcast episode (featuring Dairy farmer Gavin Chittick) - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/the-big-shift/episodes/Understanding-Soil-Amendments-to-Boost-Soil-Fertility-e2go7l2 Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services. Supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Greater Sydney Local Land Services or the Australian Government.
In this episode of the Big Shift for Small Farms podcast, we explore the idea of natural capital—the economic and environmental value of nature. Joined by natural capital advisor Madeleine Florin and farmers Ned Long and Rhiannon Phillips, the conversation highlights regenerative land management practices, the advantages of enhancing natural capital, and new market opportunities. The episode includes practical examples and discusses the impacts on farming, communities, and personal well-being, underscoring the link between environmental stewardship and economic resilience. Thank you to our guests featured in this episode: Madeleine Florin Ned Long Rhiannon Phillips For more information: NSW LLS - Natural Capital: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/natural-capital NSW LLS - Natural Capital Service Finder: Natural Capital service finder - Local Land Services (nsw.gov.au) Mountains Gourmet (Rhiannon’s market garden and services): https://www.mountainsgourmet.com/ Farming for the Future: https://farmingforthefuture.org.au/ Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services
Welcome to an insightful podcast episode uncovering the intricate world of Southeast New South Wales' diverse soils. Come on a journey with Di and Steven in their transition from dairy to beef production by focusing on soil health and the impact of soil quality on farming practices. We’ll hear from Roy Lawrie, a seasoned soil expert, and Andrew Britton, former Small Farms Coordinator for the South Coast region, as they demystify the complexities of soil management. We’ll learn about crucial topics such as the significance of topsoil and subsoil tests, the variability in soil profiles across landscapes, the persistent challenges of weed management, and the presence of acid sulfate soils. This episode equips you with invaluable tips on soil and weed management, aimed at elevating farmers' ability to enhance land health and embrace regenerative farming practices. Thank you to our guests featured in this episode: Diana Ferguson and Stephen Shipton Roy Lawrie Wayne Brown Andrew Britton For more information: NSW Soils Knowledge Network - https://www.nswskn.com/ Produced by Grow Love Project and hosted by NSW Local Land Services
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From soil health to mental health we are discussing the need for A BIG SHIFT in #faming and #agricultural systems. Each episode brings together insights from #farmers, scientists and industry to share and grow knowledge about holistic and regenerative farming practices.Produced by the @growloveproject with NSW Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.We acknowledge the First People of this land throughout Australia and recognise their connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.
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