This year’s Australian Biological Farming Conference is coming to the Gold Coast in November 2018, with the two-day event taking place at Southern Cross University – a stone’s throw from Gold Coast International Airport and beach-front accommodation.

Organised by SoilCare, a Landcare group of farmers with special interests in soil health and soil function, this year’s event is the third national biological farming conference to be held in Australia

It will run from 9-12 November 2018, and is expected to bring together up to 500 farmers and delegates to discuss what happens when science meets nature, with a particular focus on ways to improve productivity without relying on chemicals.

You can now view the full conference program online!

The speaker list includes noted international speakers, as well as Australian farmers who will present case studies from their own successful implementation of biological farming practices:

  • Rob Hinrichsen (Kalfresh), discussing his operation’s experience of implementing controlled traffic farming, the use of compost and biological fertilisers, cover crops and integrated pest management.
  • Michael Philips (Heartsong Farm, USA), speaking about orchard ecosystems, design, soil biology and organic soil health management.
  • Professor Carlo Leifert (Center for Organics Research, Southern Cross University), discussing organic farming and food production systems, as well as sustainable farming and food security.
  • Nick Kelly, a broadacre farmer from Western Australia, talking about his weather-resilient farming system that’s aiming to enhance soil health, sequester carbon, reduce erosion, increase moisture retention, reduce chemical use and improve crop yields.

AUSVEG Environment Coordinator Andy Shaw will also be part of a panel discussion about transitioning to integrated pest management in large-scale vegetable production.

The full program includes three pre-conference tours, the two-day conference with 25 speakers and breakout sessions, the Biological Farming Expo with exhibitors of products and services for biological farmers, and two post-conference workshops.

If you’re interested in attending, you can register by visiting the conference website now.

This post appeared in the AUSVEG Weekly Update published 16 October 2018 and 24 July 2018. Subscribe to the Update using our online form to receive the latest industry news in your inbox every week!