​Recently a small group of people started to share information, coordinate action and learn together. They started to talk about how to sustain their farming, agricultural pursuits, landholdings and businesses. About how to do that while contributing to the health of the Owingup/Kent Catchment area.­

​You are invited to join a group of growers that recognise the value of working together to support the sustainability of the land, waters and ecosystems in the Catchment. And those areas that are connected to it.
 

The Owingup Kent Growers Group (OKGG) decided to work closely with the Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee (WICC). OKGG became a sub-committee of WICC and, with their support, attracted $78,000 in grant money. It is a great start and allows us to bring some expertise to talk and work with us over the next couple of years. To learn more about sustainable practices, keep our Catchment healthy and sustain our families and community.
 
Would you like to be part of the OKGG, to participate in group discussions and/or join in on activities? It is free to participate.
 
Here’s a few ways to do that:

1. Become member of OKGG – there is no membership fee. Remember OKGG is a sub-committee of WICC so you will see the OKGG web-page is part of the WICC site.

 

1. Come along to one of the events – If you put your name on this email list you will be sent an email when there is an event happening.

 

1. Have a chat to the WICC staff or Board members if you want more details. 10 am Friday 24th Feb. at the Kentdale hall (341 Parker Rd).

 

1. Give the convenor a call – 0431 458 385. Benita is the convenor of the Owingup/Kent Growers Group and their representative on the WICC Board. She is very happy to talk about the value of the OKGG and whether it might be right for you.

 

1. Come along to an information session at the Kentdale Hall (insert details). You can contribute ideas and join at the information session if you want. Or just check it out. You will meet people already in the group, hear about what has been happening and what is planned. 

 
 
Some of the topics that members are talking about for 2023-2025

• Feral control – specifically foxes and the reduction of impact of kangaroos on crops and pastures.

 

• Poison and weed control on farms and across the catchment 
• New practices to support the important relationship between soil, pasture and animal health
  • How to ‘drought resist’ our soils
  • Soil testing and Soil Health:
  • Help with testing by a lab independent of fertiliser companies.
  • Deeper soil tests 
  • Biochar for soil and animals
• Understanding how fertiliser (in particular NPK) works in the soil. A focus on the way growers could affordably source, apply and monitor the impact across large areas.

 

• How to improve the spread and survival of Dung Beetles, with a variety of beetle species to ensure year-round activity.

 

• Carbon, carbon credits and what is on the horizon for farmers with regards to net zero products, markets.

 

• Rehabilitation of land and waters across our catchment – what is the current health and what needs to be done?

 

• Recycling of on-farm plastics.

 

• Water and how to capture and slow it down as it moves through your property.

 
We have already had Mark Parre, Di Heggarty and Kylie Cook talk to us about creek-line regeneration, increasing pasture production by supporting affordable new soil heath practices  and how dung beetles can help with that.
 
There are always opportunities to add to this list of topics, share your knowledge and expertise and learn from each other. We hope to see you at one of the events soon!
 
OKGG.