Soils Benchmarking Project

Green Triangle Group Benchmarking andMentoring Project

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The issue

The Green Triangle Farming Group, which comprises a group of farmers controllingover 40,000 hectares in North West NSW, identified that there was a strong need formentoring and benchmarking in order to support farmers to implement practicechange on their properties which would allow them to adapt more easily to achanging climate. Through increasing overall soil health, their farms can becomemore resilient to future drought conditions.

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The solution

In partnership with Northern Slopes Landcare Association and North West Local LandServices with funding through the National Landcare Program, the Green Trianglegroup enlisted Integrity Soils as a mentor and commenced their project.Kim and Angus Deans from Integrity Soils were engaged to visit each individualenterprise to assess, plan, set up monitoring points, benchmark their current soilcondition, and provide training and recommendations (a formal written report)tailored to each individual enterprise on how to best improve their soil health,ground cover and profits. A group catchup was then held where Kim Deansdiscussed common themes found among the properties and discussed howmicrobes, minerals, organic matter, management and mindset contribute toregenerating soil health. The group then participated in a farm walk to view themonitoring points "on the ground" and observe the actions that NSW LandcareFarmers of the Year, Justin and Lorroi Kirkby, were taking to improve the soil healthon their property.The group will continue to meet up on farm every couple of months to discuss theirlearnings with other group members and discuss any issues they have found. Anannual visit by Integrity Soils to support their learning, as well as phone support, isalso factored into the 4 year project.

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The impact

Over the next 3 years, the group will continue to monitor their soil health andobserve the impacts of the recommendations provided by Integrity Soils on theirproperties. These results will also be shared with the general public at annualworkshops with Integrity Soils.This project will assist both the participants and many others adapt to a changingclimate through building healthier soils which will retain more moisture, and bemore resilient in the face of future drought events. Participants will be supportedthroughout by other group members, Integrity Soils, North West Local Land Servicesand Northern Slopes Landcare Association.