Ms Elise Wenden, runner-up in the 2012 National Rural Women's Award, is one of three guest speakers at a farming forum being held in the Boort Football clubrooms on Friday 25 May from 10.30am-2.30pm. 

Hosted by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) the free forum will discuss how to put the ‘life’ back into soils, how to adapt to changing environmental conditions, the advantages of river health works and farm tourism opportunities.  

Mr Joel Spry, North Central CMA project manager, said Elise will share her knowledge of biological farming and complement presentations by well-known local farmer Bill Twigg and Loddon Shire’s tourism manager, Robyn Vella. “Elise brings together many aspects of sustainability in her biological farming business ‘Fruition Nutrition’, which she operates near Charlton.  

A great deal of her time is spent working on soil biology, plant growth and the implications for future sustainability.  Elise believes biological farming offers answers to some of farming’s big problems, including rising financial and environmental costs and ever depreciating margins. She is also keen to promote the role of women in agriculture. 

“Bill will relate how he has developed a lucerne-based farming system that is in sympathy with the environment and nature. Robyn will share her experiences and the growth of tourism opportunities in the Loddon Shire. 

“The forum follows previous events held in the North Central CMA region with farmers interested in increasing their knowledge about alternative farming practices.  The aim of this forum is to provide information about improving soil health, reaping the farming benefits of works to improve river health and how farm tourism is contributing to regional development, with a focus on a local business success story,” he said. 

Please RSVP to the North Central CMA by Wednesday 23 May on (03) 5448 7124 or email info@nccma.vic.gov.au, indicating any dietary requirements. The forum is presented through the North Central CMA’s Innovative Farming project funded by the Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country initiative and the Loddon Stressed River project funded by the Victorian Government

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au