Changing practices
The first practice change involves planting winter legumes and other seeds to improve pasture quality following dieback. This decision was influenced by discussions with the group and mentor during the RAMP lectures. The collaborative environment and shared experiences within the group provided valuable insights and motivated the mentee to implement new strategies to enhance pasture resilience and productivity.
The second practice change is the plan to fence cattle off the creek permanently and install a solar pump to provide an off-stream water source. This initiative is part of the mentee’s existing farm plan that has been revitalised by the RAMP program and discussions with other participants. The shared knowledge and encouragement from the RAMP community played a significant role in energising this project, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management practices for the mentee.
The third practice change is the mentee’s application to plant a large area of the farm with trees as part of a carbon farming initiative.
This opportunity arose from an unrelated discovery that a not-for-profit organisation was willing to assist in exchange for accessing Carbon Credit benefits. This collaboration underscores the potential for innovative partnerships in advancing the mentee’s regenerative agricultural practices and contributing to broader environmental goals.
The benefits of group mentoring
The mentee highly valued group mentoring within the RAMP program for its ability to facilitate knowledge sharing among farmers with diverse skills and experiences. Rather than relying solely on one mentor, the group dynamic allowed for the discussion of various experimental approaches and fostered a sense of community among Northern Rivers farmers. The mentee appreciated learning about pasture and soil health, practical techniques, and connecting with like-minded individuals. The establishment of a WhatsApp group to maintain contact further strengthened these connections, ensuring ongoing support and collaboration for the mentee.
