Making the transition
After the floods of 2022, Gina could see her land was suffering.
“My gardens were trashed, the soil quality was terrible, the fences were wrecked. We also lost a lot chickens, and the lay rates were low for the others because of the weather,” she said.
“The land is not as forgiving as it used to be. Conventional farming doesn’t work.
“Farming generally is hard work, but I like being connected to the land. I don’t want be in a position where my access to nutrient-dense, chemical-free food is restricted.
“With an increase in climatic events and potential drought on the horizon, regenerative practices help to mitigate the risk of food security issues. I can make this work on a small scale; I can do this for myself in a holistic way and be self sufficient.”
There are endless benefits to farming regeneratively. We really need to focus on our food and how it is produced. I have a responsibility to farm in a holistic way and with intention.
Achievements so far
Sharing her regenerative journey with her community is important to Gina.
“People don’t understand our food and where it really comes from, so I am also working on community engagement and education,” she said. “I love getting people onto my farm and showing them what I do We have field days and workshops.”
Experience on RAMP
For Gina, RAMP has been a confronting, but necessary, experience.
“My mentor (Glen Chapman) has pushed me to make decisions that I’ve been putting off,” she said.
“We didn’t get into farming to make money; we were passionate about food security in our region.
“We wanted to make this work regardless of the commercial outcomes. Glen has made us look at our margins and helped us make the call to stop some of our enterprises to focus on others.
“We have decided to stop doing eggs and focus on the cattle and land health.”
We have been given a great opportunity to heal the land and that is what we intend to do.
Regenerative farming goals
Gina would love to be self-sufficient from her farm, and that is her primary goal going forward.
She is working to improve biodiversity, bush and water systems, and soil health. Budgeting is also an important part of her future planning.
“Being a landholder comes with great responsibility of stewardship,” Gina explains.
“We have been given a great opportunity to heal the land and that is what we intend to do.”
Best advice for farmers transitioning to regenerative agriculture
“Do your planning, but also understand that there is so much you can’t plan for,” Gina says.
“You have to do it for yourself. Learn your land, learn the seasons, learn the water structure. Be persistent.
“Also, don’t do it for the money. Do it for the love and I believe the money will follow. Working from a heart space with intention is as important as anything else.”
