Fifty shades of clay - Womens Soil Workshop

Anne Michie, water expert from GSG Labs, Dr Rob Banks,  Auralie Quade soil specialists from Climate Friendly, and Nell Chaffey, our planting and nursery advisor from Tamworth Regional Landcare Association, shared their vast expertise. Attendees learned about the critical role soil biology plays in healthy land management and the importance of understanding local soil types to optimize plant growth.

Key takeaways included:

  • Soil Biology Matters: Healthy soils rely on vibrant biology. Understanding the living elements within soil helps support sustainable and productive land management.
  • Diversity is Key: Each plant in a pasture has its unique role, emphasizing the importance of diversity in plant species and root depth to maintain robust soil health and productivity.
  • Soil Structure Improvement: Practical techniques to enhance soil structure were highlighted, demonstrating how soil health can significantly benefit pasture growth.
  • Soil is a Village: Understanding the interconnectivity between soil organisms and plant roots provided a new perspective for future planting decisions.

Participants loved the relaxed and welcoming nature of the event, appreciating the opportunity to connect with fellow women passionate about improving their land and soil health.

Thank you once again to Climate Friendly for supporting this event! Thank you to our speakers, host, and attendees for making this event a resounding success!



Latest News



๐ŸŒฟ Biodiversity & Productivity โ€“ Tamworth Workshop | 15 May ๐ŸŒฟ

Weโ€™re excited to be partnering with Carbon8 for a powerful one-day workshop all about boosting biodiversity to strengthen your farming system โ€” from the soil up!

Whether youโ€™re managing pasture or cropping, increasing biodiversity can improve productivity, build resilience, and reduce the need for chemical inputs. This is your chance to hear directly from landholders, educators, and experts who are walking the talk.

๐Ÿ“… When: Wednesday, 15 May

๐Ÿพ NSW Companion Animals Act Review โ€“ Have Your Say! ๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿพ NSW Companion Animals Act Review โ€“ Have Your Say! ๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿšจ Submissions close Sunday, May 4, 2025 ๐Ÿšจ

After years of advocacy, the NSW Government is finally reviewing the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 โ€” and your voice is urgently needed to help protect our native wildlife from the impacts of free-roaming pet cats.

๐Ÿฆ˜ Why it matters:
This outdated law currently prevents local Councils from setting and enforcing cat containment policies, leaving cats to roam, kill native wildlife, and spread diseases like toxoplasmosis. Itโ€™s time for a law that reflects modern expectations of responsible pet ownership.

๐Ÿ’ฅ Make a difference โ€“ three easy options:
โœ… Option A (quick & easy):
Use the Invasive Species Councilโ€™s free writing kit โ€“ theyโ€™ll send you a ready-to-go email template.
๐Ÿ”— Register here

โœ๏ธ Option B (most impactful):
Write a short email in your own words explaining why you believe cat containment is essential.
๐Ÿ“ง Email: ca.review@olg.nsw.gov.au
๐Ÿ“ Subject: Companion Animals Act Review

๐Ÿ’ก Ask for:

  • Statewide 24/7 cat containment laws
  • Mandatory desexing by 4 months
  • $9 million+ in support for Councils and education campaigns


๐Ÿ“„ Option C (official form):
Review the discussion paper and submit feedback via the online submission form on the Office of Local Government site.
๐Ÿ”— Submit here

๐ŸŒฟ Every submission helps push for change! Letโ€™s keep native wildlife safe, support responsible pet ownership, and empower Councils to act. Please share this widely. ๐Ÿจ๐Ÿฆ‰๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿšœ Calling All Farmers, Farm Managers & Owners! ๐ŸŒฑ

๐Ÿšœ Calling All Farmers, Farm Managers & Owners! ๐ŸŒฑ

We're helping support important PhD research from Federation University Australia exploring how farmers think about sustainability, technology, and data in agriculture โ€“ and how we can build better tools to support real-world needs.

If you're a farmer, farm manager, or farm owner, please take 10-15 minutes to complete this anonymous survey. โœ…
Or, if youโ€™re not a farmer, help us by sharing this post with your networks!

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŒพ Your insights will help shape a new framework for assessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impacts in agriculture.

๐Ÿ”— Take the survey here:
https://federation.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Mqz9Vzs9m7kdNk

๐ŸŽ“ Research by Bhola Paudel, PhD Candidate
โœ”๏ธ Approved by Federation University Human Research Ethics Committee (2024/228)

Our members often say that when you become part of Landcare, youโ€™re not just joining a group, youโ€™re becoming part of a family. The concept is so compatible with Australian culture itโ€™s hard not to get involved! By becoming a TRLA member, youโ€™ll be supporting our work, learning new skills, becoming part of the solution, and helping to make a difference for the future.

LEARN MORE LEARN MORE

together we can make a difference

funding support

Did you know (TRLA) run an Annual Small Grants program for Landcare activities connected to the Tamworth region.

Volunteer Landcare and Grassroots Community groups can apply up to $2,500 for activities that meet an objective of TRLAโ€™s strategic plan with eight successful projects being awarded funds from across the region.

APPLY NOW APPLY NOW