Details

Background:
We purchased the property in 2012, the blue-gum plantation was harvested in 2016.
This was followed by clearing the forestry trash, establishing fencing, waterlines, seeding and fertilising. Sheep and cattle were introduced with the main focus on sheep (wiltipoll). With the flock increasing each year. The flock is approx 200.

Reason why joining the project:
I have spent 35 years working as a geologist. During that time I had to develop an understanding of all of the variables that go into making up a mineral deposit/mine ie the “language of the mineral deposit/mine” This language of the mineral deposit/mine allowed me to develop a 3D mind model of that deposit. This mind model then formed the framework for how I looked at the deposit. This then flowed into the cycle of exploration, grade modelling, mine planning, mining.

Following on from mining we decided to do something different in retirement , hence the farm. With no background in farming we had to learn a new “language of the land” in order to build a new mind model of what is happening to the land. We started by trial and error to learn about the variables that make up the farm. This has been greatly aided by joining the Lower Blackwood Group, just reading the emails regarding courses has helped.
What we really need is to learn new skills and have someone to talk to.