Compost & Biofertilisers: Making Them on Farm Boot Camp - QLD August 2023

Want to make compost on farm with low costs methods?

Want to learn how to make range of biofertilisers on farm?

Explore how to use biologicals to improve soil health.

This hands-on 2 day Bootcamp from Soil Land Food will give you all you need to know to make it happen!

"Very informative and enjoyable experience, with practical application for anyone wishing to compost" March 2023 workshop

• Build your understanding of the different biological products available
  
• Learn how to make and use compost on your farm!
  
• Learn the basics of making biofertilisers on the farm!

Choose to attend either the compost day OR the biofertilisers day OR Both days.

Join us for this intensive, hands on, practical Bootcamp on farm at Marian, near Mackay Qld, as we explore the basics of on farm composting and fermentation based biofertilisers. During this Bootcamp you will learn:

• How to make compost on farm using simple fermentation or aerobic methods
• Basic biofertiliser Starter Cultures
• Compost Inoculants
• Hydrolysates - high protein bioferments made with animal or food biomass
  
• A range of biofertilisers and biostimulants
• Quality Control
• All about the different equipment options you have. 

This Bootcamp will demystify these products, deepen your understanding of how these products can work and give you practical tips and recipes for making and using them. The Bootcamp will be held on farm and includes a Workbook with plenty of open source recipes.

Dates & Time

Thursday 3rd and 4th August 2023

9.00am to 3.00 pm each day

You can choose to attend both days or just one

Course Content

Day 1 - Biofertilisers

•  Biofertilisers: how and why they work
  
• The range of biological fertility inputs
• Basic biofertiliser technologies: aerated, ferments and worm products
  
• Making biofertilisers, bioferments and biostimulants - we cover 5 essential recipes
• Using biological products
  

Day 2 - On-Farm Composting

• On farm composting: aerobic & fermentation
• Making compost on-farm
• Monitoring and testing compost quality
• Using compost
  

Presenter

Led by Soil Land Food extension team member Simon Mattsson. Simon is a regenerative farming educator, Nuffield Scholar and consultant who focuses on managing soil biological function to improve soil for increased productivity and better environmental outcomes. He grew up on a family cattle station near Mt Coolan before the family moved into sugarcane and cattle operations in Mackay. A Nuffield Scholarship in 2014 to research soil biology was a pivotal point that gave Simon the confidence to apply his practical knowledge of soil health in regenerative agriculture. In 2020 he transitioned to extension and consulting as well as starting a tropical fruit orchard where he uses compost and bioferts to manage the trees. Simon has set up superb training facilities on his farm near Mackay where farmers can learn skills in regenerative agriculture and soil management.

The team at Soil Land Food have worked on compost projects all over Australia. We have been running fun and practical workshops on composting and bioferstilisers all around Australia for over 10 years. Check out our website for more info: www.soillandfood.com.au

"Very informative and enjoyable experience, with practical application for anyone wishing to compost" Compost workshop March 23

"Thank you again for delivering a fantastic session" Bioferts workshop April 23

Venue & Catering

The course will be hosted by the Mattsson family at their farm in Marian in Queensland. Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Teas are included in the Course fee. Bring boots, hat and outdoor gear.

Places & Conditions

Places in this Bootcamp are limited to 30 each day. A minimum of 10 people are required for each day for the event to go ahead. In the event that the course does not go ahead due to minimum numbers not being reached 7 days before the course commences, or due to COVID restrictions or other exceptional circumstances, a full refund will be given. Participants will need to abide by any COVID requirements of the organisers at all times.

Accommodation

A number of accommodation options are available in Mackay in QLD (about 25 kms from Marian). Not far from the Whitsundays you can come up for the course and have a holiday afterwards at the Whitsundays!!!