Climate-Smart Pastures: Native Grass ID & Management

Join experienced pasture agronomist and researcher Dr Meredith Mitchell for a practical, hands-on workshop exploring the value of native grasses in productive and sustainable farming systems.

Native grasses are more than just a remnant of the landscape. They can improve biodiversity, support soil health, increase resilience to drought and climate variability, and play an important role in profitable grazing enterprises. This workshop will help landholders, farmers, Landcare members, and anyone interested in sustainable agriculture build their skills in identifying and managing native grass pastures.

What you'll learn

By the end of the day, you'll be able to:

🌾 Identify common native grass species found in local pastures and recognise their key features.

🌱 Understand the ecological and agricultural benefits of native grass pastures, including improved biodiversity, soil health, and resilience.

🐑 Recognise the role native grasses can play in sustainable grazing systems and whole-farm planning.

✅ Apply practical management techniques, including grazing strategies, weed control, and long-term pasture maintenance.

Workshop format

The morning session will include:

• Native grass identification

• Native pasture management principles

Following lunch, participants will head to a local property for a field session to put identification skills into practice and hear first-hand how native grass pastures are managed on-farm.

Please note that the property is located in Leneva, approximately 17km from the EcoHub. The address will be supplied at the workshop.

About the presenter

Meredith Mitchell is an experienced pasture agronomist, agricultural researcher, and Landcare professional who has spent nearly four decades advancing sustainable farming systems across north-east Victoria and southern New South Wales.

She has spent much of her career as a Senior Research Scientist with Agriculture Victoria, based in Rutherglen, where her work has focused on native grass cultivar selection, pasture persistence, and farm-scale management of perennial pastures.

Meredith holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of New South Wales and earned her PhD in 2013 at Charles Sturt University. Her doctoral research examined the ecology and persistence of Microlaena stipodes (a native perennial grass) in temperate grazing systems.

Since January 2023, Meredith works as Senior Project Officer with Corowa District Landcare, contributing her research and extension expertise to regional natural resource management, community engagement, and grassland conservation. She occasionally leads field events such as grass-identification walks for community audiences, reflecting her commitment to bridging science and practical Landcare.

Whether you're looking to better understand the grasses already growing on your property or explore the role of native pastures in your farming future, this workshop will provide practical knowledge you can take straight back to the paddock.🌾

Proudly supported by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.