Whole Farm Planning (4-day course)

Designing a productive farm today means thinking about the whole landscape – not just individual paddocks.

The Lower Blackwood LCDC’s 4-day Whole Farm Planning Course is back this year, offering local farmers the chance to step back, look at their property differently and develop practical plans for building healthier, more resilient and productive farms.

Presented by David Hardwick from Soil Land Food, this innovative course will show you how to design and plan a healthy, resilient and productive rural landscape for your farm business. At the end of this 4-day course you will have the confidence to identify issues make decisions and take action to start improving landscape health and enterprise productivity on your property. You will develop a well thought out and whole of farm plan. The course is limited to a maximum of 15 farm enterprises to allow for personalised attention to the participants from the course trainer and will be hands-on and group based, combining theory with lots of practical activities.

You will learn:

• how to “see” your landscape using landscape thinking
• about Landscape Patches: the pieces of your farm’s landscape jigsaw
• the water and nutrient cycles in rural landscapes
• how energy flows and biodiversity functions in rural landscapes
• climate, landforms & soil types on your property
• about the landscape and agricultural elements of rural planning
• the different approaches to property planning
• the 10 steps to effective property planning

You will also:

• use maps for property planning
• set goals for your farm’s rural landscape & enterprises
• assess your farm’s rural landscape
• identify & prioritise issues
• brainstorm strategies for improvement
• develop a Farm Plan for a sustainable future

Will this Workshop Benefit Me?

This workshop is for farmers who want to future-proof their farms. It offers a rare opportunity to step back from the daily demands of farm life and see your landscape with fresh eyes. Working alongside experienced practitioners, you’ll explore how the natural features of your property can become powerful allies in building a more resilient, productive and sustainable farm.

Course Logistics:

Where? Margaret River Men’s Shed, 5 Shepherdson Place, Margaret River 6285

When? 

Part 1: April 2026

Day 1: Monday April 13, 9.00am to 4.00pm

Day 2: Tuesday April 14, 9.00am to 4.00pm

Part 2: July 2026

Day 1: Monday July 13, 9.00am to 4.00pm

Day 2: Tuesday July 14, 9.00am to 4.00pm

What else? Lunch & Morning Tea will be provided + farm maps and planning tools.

How much? $110 (incl. GST) per enterprise (for all 4 days)

 WILL THIS WORKSHOP BENEFIT ME?

TThis workshop is for farmers who want to future-proof their farms. It offers a rare opportunity to step back from the daily demands of farm life and see your landscape with fresh eyes. Working alongside experienced practitioners, you’ll explore how the natural features of your property can become powerful allies in building a more resilient, productive and sustainable farm.

For any queries please contact Karen Tearney on Mob: 0410 743 151 | Email: karen.tearney@lowerblackwood.com.au

This course is supported through the Shire of Augusta Margaret River Environmental Management Fund.