Help is available for new small rural properties owners who want to maintain the serenity and re-sale value of their property through community groups.
Several of these groups will be on hand in the Landcare tent at the upcoming Balingup Small Farm Field Day to share their knowledge on a range of land management issues and responses.
This year the tent will feature the a virtual hub project, which aims to assist small landholders with properties up to 40 hectares in area.
Project manager Adrian Williams said events covering a range of topics, such as livestock management and water supply, are being planned for landholders in the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes.
“The project would assist small landholders to understand the nitty gritty of owning and managing a property and how to make it work well,” he said.
The South West Catchments Council’s Sustainable Agriculture team will also be promoting their work on soil health.
Regional Landcare facilitator Peter Clifton said SWCC would have soils on display to demonstrate a basic soil health assessment and generate discussions about soil limitations.
“We will be demonstrating some quick and simple tests that landholders can do themselves and discussing some options to improve soil health. There will be plenty of handouts and ideas for growers to go away with,” he said.
Small landholders interested in growing trees will be able to chat with the South West Agroforestry Network, who will also be in the tent talking about their Peer Group Mentoring Programme.
If you want to revegetate an area to promote biodiversity, Bridgetown-Greenbushes Community Landcare member Cheryl Hamence will be on hand to discuss the revegetation of native species.
And if it’s an unsightly dam or wetland that needs revegetating, Blackwood Basin Group has runs on the board, having recently converted Schwenke’s Dam in Greenbushes into a ready-made habitat for waterbirds.
The Blackwood Biosecurity Group has recently formed to help landholders develop a coordinated approach to weeds and pests, and will be on hand to discuss pest action plans. Likewise, Warren Catchments Council will be present to consult with the community about setting up a group in the Shire of Manjimup.
Visit the Landcare tent on Saturday, April 22 at the Balingup Small Farm Field Day.
