In this episode, Neil chats to Marlies Eicher from Boort in Victoria.
Marlies, with her husband Peter, both engineers, own and run the award-winning Salute Oliva; a certified organic olive grove in Boort. The journey started in 1998 with the purchase of irrigated grazing land and, over a 5 year period, 2100 olive trees were planted on 8ha. All production, selling and distribution of the olive oil, table olives and soap is done by the Eichers. They have focused on regenerative farming practices and a closed nutrient cycle to improve soil health and have seen significant positive changes in the soil structure and biological activity.
Digging Deeper
Soil is one of our most important resources; responsible for 95% of the food we eat and so its sustainable management is critical for our future. The National Soil Strategy has 3 main goals – prioritise soil health, empower soil innovation and stewardship, build soil knowledge and capability.
Aim of the Podcasts: Roll out the National Soil Strategy
Farmers often learn & implement new concepts by listening to and watching what their peers/neighbours are doing. The Podcasts are designed to promote this peer-influence to a greater audience by talking to local soil champions. To challenge people’s thinking of how we normally do things. To learn from (sometimes) unorthodox thinking.
There will be 12 soil champions (1 per month) who will be asked to participate in the podcast; with a diversity of people chosen – age, gender, farming industry, cultural.
In each episode, we will “dig a bit deeper” and talk with local people who are undertaking new practices or thinking differently about the health of their soils. We will explore why and how they are building soil health and be introduced to their key concepts and thoughts rather than the practicalities of what they are doing.