Soil doctors head for the Mid North Coast

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Soil health workshops will be held during September. The Hastings, Camden Haven, Macleay and Nambucca valleys have received funding through the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority to run these workshops.

District Agronomist with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Carol Rose today said the soil health workshops will involve special presentations and plenty of hands-on activities.

“We will be looking at how soil organisms, soil fertility and soil structure all interact in a healthy soil environment,” Ms Rose said.

“The workshops will show how the overall soil environment affects pasture growth and farm productivity. They will also illustrate how important grazing management is to maintaining soil health.”

Guest speakers include soil enthusiasts Rebecca Lines-Kelly and Abigail Jenkins from the DPI, Wollongbar.

“Three hands-on sessions will provide an opportunity for participants to get their hands dirty, with everyone encouraged to participate,” Ms Rose said

The workshops will look at:

soil organisms;
the root zone and the importance of soil structure and root growth for a healthy soil; and
simple ways to check and monitor soil health.

The full workshop will be running in Kempsey on September 13, Wauchope on September 14 and at Macksville on September 15. Registration is essential as numbers are limited.

To register contact Cathy Eggert (Hastings Camden Haven Landcare) 6586 4465, Natasha English (Macleay Landcare) 6562 2076 or Tim Ryan (Nambucca Landcare) 6564 7838.

Anyone with an interest in soil is invited to attend the workshops. The workshops are free and lunch will be available at the venues, supplied by local community groups.

Media Contact: Carol Rose 02 6562 6244