Victorian Landcare Magazine - Winter 2022, Issue 84
Before COVID-19, participants in the East Gippsland CMA Topsoils project were visiting the redgum plains, forested foothills, picturesque high country and the unique far east of the region. They were out in paddocks taking in the sounds, sights and smells. Demonstration sites were an opportunity to closely examine and touch soils and to discuss them with other participants.
Topsoils began as a five-year project in 2013. Due to its success, it was extended until 2023. The project aims to support change towards best management practices in soil health. The project’s success is linked to farmer focus groups and demonstration sites. It is delivered through field days and workshops that create a practical shared learning environment.
The Topsoils project is supported by East Gippsland CMA through funding from the Australian Government and is delivered through a partnership involving the East Gippsland Landcare Network, Far East Victoria Landcare, Snowy River Interstate Landcare Committee, Agriculture Victoria, and Southern Farming Systems, with support from the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator.
Above: A traditional Topsoils field day held at Reedy Flat in February 2022.
When COVID-19 caused restrictions on gatherings the Topsoils partners had to rethink how they could convert an outdoor project to an indoor one while maintaining the positive benefits of the events – increasing knowledge, sharing ideas and allowing discussion of best practices.
"Hosting the events online meant that Landcare would be able to continue its work in the new COVID-19 world." - Natalie Jenkins
According to Natalie Jenkins from Southern Farming Systems taking the field days online was the obvious solution.
“People still needed the workshops, skills and advice our speakers were giving."
The Topsoils partners were faced with the challenge of bringing their events online without losing farmer involvement in the program. They needed to do more than host a webinar or information session. They wanted to engage as much as possible with the members of the farmer focus groups and use real-life on-farm examples.
The first online events were delivered in October 2021. Five farmers located at Mount Taylor, Clifton Creek, Bengworden, Marlo Plains and Bendoc, opened their farms and businesses for all to see – virtually.
They described their business operations and revealed the limiting factors they faced. The sessions then switched to the expert presenter, who provided the advice for soil improvements specific to the property. The sessions were interactive, with all participants able to ask questions of the farmer and the presenter.
Instead of standing in a paddock, each farmer provided a virtual tour of their property; they used maps, photos, and videos to give a visual perspective and highlight the soil health issue that they were addressing.
Each field day ran for 90 minutes online, but a lot of work was put in by the farmers beforehand. Each farmer was provided with technical advice and given tips on presenting online. The support and facilitation provided by the Topsoil partners was essential for success.
Some farmers are screen averse
The Topsoils partners recognised that while farmers are comfortable in their paddocks talking about their farms and soils, this was not always the case when talking to a computer screen. The commitment, flexibility and willingness of the farmers to learn the new technology was a credit to them.
According to Penny Gray from the Far East Victoria Landcare Network, the accessibility of the sessions saw an increase in attendance.
“People no longer had to travel for hours to get to a farmer’s property on the other side of the region,” Penny said.
The Topsoils partners also noted the benefit of being able to record the session, which means the knowledge can be saved and used again. It also opened the opportunity to engage guest presenters from all over the world.
Topsoils will continue to be delivered with a mix of online and face-to -face events as the project progresses. We have learnt that we can adapt our projects and make progress despite the major obstacle of a pandemic.
The Topsoils partners also noted the benefit of being able to record the session, which means the knowledge can be saved and used again. It also opened the opportunity to engage guest presenters from all over the world.
The sessions were recorded and are available via the Far East Victoria Landcare’s Vimeo page. Here's the link to the Vimeos.
Carolyn Cameron is Regional Landcare Coordinator and Tayla Cassidy is Bushfire Engagement and Monitoring Officer at East Gippsland CMA.
For more information email ccameron@egcma.com.au