Federal Member for Indi: Dr Helen Haines.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Farmers, land owners and those with an interest in reducing carbon in the atmosphere met for a picnic in Benalla on Friday, February 25.
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The Pathway to Net Zero Farming Picnic was hosted by local farmer John Paul Murphy, and facilitated by soil scientist and chair of North East Water Cath Botta.
It featured three key speakers.
Dr Helen Haines — Federal Member for Indi;
Professor Snow Barlow — chair of Agriculture and Food Forum; and
Kerry Robson — Gecko CLaN Landcare Network.
Following speeches by all three, attendees split into small groups to share ideas, and discuss how they are addressing the push for net-zero farming.
Prior to that, the forecast rain held off and, all three spoke about what they were doing to support others achieve carbon neutrality.
Mr Murphy introduced the event and spoke about the work his family has done on its farm to address carbon emissions.
Aiming at net zero: John Paul Murphy.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“I reached out and... called around to a few different sitting members and Helen Haines... got back to me,” Mr Murphy said.
"We (met with Helen) and we had some local farmers attendance.“
Mr Murphy said the networking he did that day provided some answers, and some more questions.
However, it also put him onto the Gecko CLaN Landcare Network — which has been of great help.
Expert opinion: Professor Snow Barlow.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
The idea behind Friday’s picnic was to also offer other local farmers that help, and share what is working in this part of the world — as well as what might not be so effective.
During the speeches all three speakers discussed the challenges facing the farming industry, and ways to overcome those challenges.
There was many areas addressed.
Gecko CLaN Landcare Network: Kerry Robson.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
They included soil carbons and moisture levels, new technologies, new practices, how to work with a changing climate, a host of ways carbon levels can be controlled by farmers, and much more.
One reoccurring theme was that carbon neutrality is likely to be a requirement to market access in the future.
If you would like to find out more about how you can address carbon emissions on your land you can visit www.geckoclan.com.au
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