151
the australian farmer
tinuum - we need to acknowledge where we are and where we want to be. But I urge our farmers, agron- omists and scientists to not get lost in the words be- cause words alone aren’t enough. Coherent, shared goals and actions will propel us forward. Passing on a healthier environment to future gen- erations is a top priority across rural Australia, ac- cording to 4,000 rural Australians who filled in the Soil CRC landholder survey. About 80% of regenera- tive agriculture definitions focus on outcomes: soil health, biodiversity, profitability and community vitality. Yet practices vary widely. In some regions, re- generative farmers are pulling off three or four crops a year; in others, maintaining groundcover through dry months is the challenge. Access to biological amendments varies too, with their benefits shaped by local soils and seasons. Beyond production, farmers are aiming for profit, reduced risk, healthy landscapes and family wellbe- ing, yet even profit isn’t measured consistently, let alone soil health, biodiversity or wellbeing. Estab- lishing clear, credible and holistic metrics is critical to building confidence - for markets, farmers and our agricultural system. While evidence for the fundamentals of regenera- tive agriculture is well established (care of soils, plant legumes, encourage diversity), context matters. Many farmers are innovators, as they trial new methods in new regions - our role as scientists is to listen, walk half a step behind them, and build evidence for what works, and what doesn’t. I’ve seen inspiring examples of holistic land manage- ment in Western Australia, where neighbours joined forces to regenerate river corridors, planting species that support biodiversity, shade stock and enhance profitability. Our research shows three key drivers of resilience: long-term thinking supported by succession planning; whole-farm planning that integrates productivity, ecology and finance; and making collaborative, stra- tegic decisions based on the knowledge of all mem- bers of the farming family. Government and industry can support these three basic principles by providing clear, evidence-based verification systems for good land stewardship; build- ing frameworks for holistic management across land-
scapes; while prioritising long-term funding programs to support ongoing collaboration. The 10-year Soil CRC exemplifies how continuity enables learning and genuine innovation across regions and institutions. To untangle the web of challenges we face, whether that be with our hands in the soil, in the lab, or in the halls of government, we can no longer afford to rest safely within our silos, not in terms of how we learn, how we apply knowledge, nor how we govern. The key to our future is a confluence of different streams of knowledge. If we can learn from one an- other with openness and respect, we can grow a river of shared understanding powerful enough to reshape our agricultural future. Change moves at the speed of trust, yet we can no longer afford to wait. Farmers, scientists, policymakers and communities must work together to transform our food system — from abundant waste to regenerative abundance. It can take a leap of faith to build trust with new collaborators - to grow confidence in new innova- tions and ways of doing things, to remain healthily scep- tical while keeping mind, ears and eyes open. While we can’t always return things to how they were, renewal is possible. While it may not be a pana- cea for all things, regenerative agriculture can present a powerful nexus for building shared solutions. Every decision counts: from what we grow, to the water we use and the food we refuse to waste. If we act now, we can ensure a nourished future for gener- ations to come. Associate Professor Hanabeth Luke of Murdoch University leads national research on rural landholder resilience and regenerative agriculture.
Powered by FlippingBook