Out of the dust emerges 'Oasis Yarraman'

A 'think-tank' weekend for regenerating rural communities and broad-acre in Bingara, NSW

Just when we thought all hope was lost for rural Australian broadacre farmers with earth degrading agricultural practices turning agriculture into agribusiness, with a burst of light and inspiration emerges a group of aging farmers, looking for a better way. There's no money in agriculture anymore ... no life either. On March 2nd and 3rd 2014, in the dining room of a local Bingara farmer's home, a ground breaking think-tank workshop was held to delve into the realms beyond current agricultural practices... permaculture.

'Yarraman' property in good times

Included in the room of unexpected allies were cutting-edge farmers:

• An organic beef farmer from Inverell who now has an organic pie bakery,
  
• A cattle farmer in his 70s from Glenn Innes who says in the past 40 years he has 'single-handedly transformed the land on his farm... the wrong way!’,
• A Health Food Store owner and Holistic Management guru from Dubbo whose store is a 'platform for education',
• A school teacher and grocery store owner turned permaculture educator from Bingara,
• An agricultural teacher for RCS (Rural Consulting Services),
• A tree-change new land owner from Coolatai,
• A conventional cattle and grain farmer from next door,
• Not to mention the two sons of the host

And many more, all keen to discover what can be done on Gary and Linda McDouall's 700 hectare farm.

Can we come up with a way to bring young people and community back to rural areas which are becoming more and more isolated and disconnected each year through this farm? Can we create a thriving community with the economy built around regenerated agriculture? Can we even create a regenerated agricultural base on this land, severely damaged by current agricultural practices in the first place.... profitable, ecological, inspiring and enjoyable for its participants?

Current state of the topsoil

 
 With the current dire condition of the land, huge reliance on fossil fuels and desperate situation of loss of young enthusiasm.... how on earth?!

 

 

 

 

 

THE THINK-TANK

The workshop was short and comprehensive, highly interactive and stimulating, thought provoking and empowering. In the room of 20, we shared a plethora of knowledge, skills and information which culminated in some very interesting goals and solutions.

The purpose: What to do with a low energy broad-acre cattle farm to create a standout 21st century inspiration which will draw interest, enthusiasm and excitement back to the land and local area. The trick is ... they only have 5 years to initiate it! Gary and Linda will move into their home in the local town to retire, but why not do something interesting with their land in the meantime, that can fertilize the community and keep excitement and pride in rural towns?

DAY 1

The first day consisted of sharing some background information and creating a foundation of inspiration. Gary and Linda shared their story and family vision which gave us the platform on which to work. Basically, they want the land to be used in the most effective way to regenerate and encourage a thriving community.

Next we were given a ‘fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants’ Introduction to

Permaculture, done with the grace of a swan, comedy of a kookaburra and brightness of a rainbow lorikeet by local teacher Rick Hutton. This gave the enraptured audience an initial perspective change to help us all see the problems as solutions and keep an open mind.

This was conveniently followed by a drive around the property for a 'brief' farm tour ... it's hard to see 700 hectares in a lot of detail in an hour! With our new permaculture eyes we saw the lay of the land differently. Now, what had been an issue before could be transformed into an opportunity. And so many opportunities there are! Someone with so much land to play with, the list is endless ... we couldn't help but dream even at this early stage.

Gary gives us the full dire situation

The afternoon was filled with the 'youthful energy' of Toni Robinson, Permaculture Educator, Community and Garden Manager, traveler and originally local girl. She presented with enthusiasm her experience working with Permaculture Projects with similar goals as Gary's property. Describing the Master Plan for the Thailand project where she had worked extensively, she explained how to maximize community, local resources, profit and happiness by using permaculture ethics, principles and techniques such as integrated animal and fodder systems, holistic management, effective water systems, forest gardening, waste recycling, and self-reliant energy.

But what the audience found most captivating was Toni's passionate description about why 'Permaculture' appeals to young people, as opposed to the disconnection the young have with 'Agriculture'. Giving insight to the room of old ... sorry, 'experienced', farmers, eyes and minds were opened to the huge variety of exciting adventures permaculture holds inclusively to all. Empowering, community, learn to observe, close the loops, simple life, opportunity... some of the words she used.

Toni's brainstorm

Following this productive day of activities, conversations and ideas pulsed over delicious homegrown steak BBQ dinner followed by melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake. Already opinions and mindsets were changing for the better.

But the day wasn't over yet! With renewed enthusiasm we were delighted by the informative presentation of Cyril Remy, another 'youthful energy' and Frenchman, giving us the run-down on natural building.

“The main problem with youth is the lack of access to land. If we have a place to live, like this farm, we can use simple and exciting techniques to build our houses, healthier for the land and our hearts” he informed.

DAY 2

Interactive contribution day! No stone left unturned in the inclusive and revealing facilitation of Toni and Gary.
 

The day began with a 'check-in' reminding us of what we had learnt and light-bulb moments from the previous day.

This lead into a group activity defining and discussing the goals and vision for the project. With the key question “What elements are necessary to make Yarraman and the McDouall family a standout 21^st century inspiration?” participants were able to delve into what they consider the most important elements to lead to a successful vision. Elements such as water, community, young people, beauty, diversity, education, food connection, self-reliance, profitable and many, many more arose. We discussed as small groups, then attached colourful post-it notes to the window, grouping together similar elements. 

Together we arrived with 3 main topics: the land, the people and profitability. We broke into groups and delved more deeply into each topic, creating a written and specific goal and ideas on how to achieve it. Some creative ideas appeared from this, such as creating microclimates, multiple 'hubs' across the land, swales and food forest plantings, methane digesters, cell grazing, competitions for garden and art design, engaging community with farmer's markets, inviting young people as permaculture managers, wwoofers, community and crowd funding, multiple enterprises working in niche markets and working with and measuring GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness).

From here we moved into a design activity. This exercise was given the limitation of ‘no limitation, no constraints or barriers’. Think creatively as if anything will work!

Breaking into groups, we got down and dirty with the map and tried to put all of our ideas onto the land. Quite a challenge, even with 700 hectares of space! But again, our newly opened, permaculture eyes helped us creatively map and note the opportunities available, without constraints. We saw some inspirational designs, with integrated elements and creative solutions to some of the major issues, including lack of water, arid climate and degraded land.

Some interesting ideas were:

• Arid permaculture strategies - 'greening the desert' using swales (where the water is stored in the soil) by remaking the current contour banks which currently funnel water into dams;
• Zones moving out from a central meeting space and cafe;
• vineyard;
• forest of food;
• olive grove;
• using the edges of roads and housing areas for fruit and nut plantings;
• natural built houses;
• Integrated animals: cattle, chickens, aquaculture, goats, rabbits, pigs, horses, camels, bees ... kangaroos;
• Creating 'hubs' of housing around the land to develop different microclimates;
• Using smaller higher value crops such as quinoa and spelt, creating on artisan bakery onsite;
• Hosting open days for the public and organise tours of the farm and area for tourists and backpackers;
• Processing facility for preserving and value adding which doubles as a cafe kitchen. 

One design even gave the Yarraman property the very visionary name of 'Oasis Yarraman'!

Following another delicious lunch and a morning full of optimism, we moved into a more left-brain discussion on 'How to get from present to future' involving constraints and ways of overcoming them. We revealed all, discussing in small groups then altogether all aspects which could hold us back from achieving the vision. These included: family dynamics and succession, finances and funding, people and community onsite and local, distance and location from larger hubs, climate, water and quality of land.

Many solutions and ideas were proposed, such as;

• diversifying income with many industries on the land,
• including community into design,
• attracting young people through social networks and offering management roles which encourage responsibility and ownership and allowing new young to take over from current owners ready to retire
• running internships and workshops,
• link into the 'tourist trail' already established in the region,
• work with local businesses,
• create a mobile slaughterhouse which can service farms in the region to sell meat locally,
• encourage others also to grow and sell locally with a farmers market,

and many more... a room full of excited ideas!

After some really constructive feedback from the group, Gary concluded the day with an inspiring description of what is to come and thanking us all for celebrating the initiation of a region and life changing project.

STEPS FOR THE FUTURE

There are any steps to come after this initial discussion, but such

hope and empowerment came from this workshop, it filled the room with a buzzing energy, which continued long after a celebratory group photograph and goodbye hugs were given.

Leaving via the long driveway through the now hot, dry, brown landscape of Yarraman which continued as far as the eye could see into neighboring properties and everywhere in that region, we couldn't help visualising the oasis of possibility that this family have initiated. Green, cool, fruit and food laden, dense, breezy, diverse, constantly evolving, fulfilling, simple, alive and busting with life. Can it be achieved? With this true test of permaculture and community, stay tuned for next steps on how this dream and your own, can be realized.
Together we've just opened the door to a sustainable future.

Good luck Gary and Linda!
 

The team of unexpected cutting-edge rural farmers

'...shoot for the moon, even if you miss you'll land among the stars!'