Grassroots Festival is an immersive, boots on the ground, hands in the soil, two day event. The main event will be hosted on the 12th and 13th of February in Montumana, at Gunningham Family Farms, with an additional learning day after the Festival on the 14th (ticketed separately). Grassroots Festival 2025 will be covering a range of topics including soil health, alternative and diverse pasture species, livestock health, farm forestry, farmers stories, carbon and renewable energy. There will be various demonstration sites on the day, hosted by experts to provide interpretation.

We will also be hosting Jim Elizondo on the 15th & 16th of February for his 4 Pillars of Real Wealth Ranching, 2 Day Course (ticketed separately).

PROGRAM:

12th February: Bus Tour

Lunch & BBQ dinner supplied for all attendees on this day.

The bus tour will include two stops to local farms demonstrating progressive methods in sustainable farming. These farms have been selected based on their ability to showcase how they harness ecologically beneficial practices to make their business more robust and resilient.

7.30am: Meeting at the Rocky Cape Tavern

8.15am: Bus Departs

9am: Stop 1 - Table Cape Tulip Farm

Hosted by David Roberts-Thompson a founding member of Soils First Tasmania & 2024 Nuffield Scholar, looking at their diverse family business. Their business works in cropping, horticulture, tourism and retail.

12pm: Bus Departs

12.30pm: Stop 2 -Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, Elliott Dairy Research Facility

Hosted by TIA, this is the site of leading research into ways to boost the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of pasture-based dairy systems.

2.30pm: Bus Departs

4pm: Bus arrives at Rocky Cape Tavern for attendees to collect cars etc.

4.15pm: Bus Departs for those needing a lift to Rustic Haven.

4.30pm: Rocky Cape Rustic Haven

Roots so Deep documentary screening, followed by a Q&A with the director, Peter Byck, and a BBQ.

13th February: Conference Day

Beef Spit Roast Dinner supplied for all attendees on this day.

Location: 818 Montumana Road, Montumana TAS 7321

	Calf Shed	Marquee
09:00	Nicole Masters https://integritysoils.com
10:00	Natalie E. West https://natalieewest.com/	Sam Bye
11:00	Peter Byck https://carboncowboys.org/films-top/about/peter-byck	Routes to Farming Panel Session Iain & Kate Field of Leap Farm, John Kelly of Staunton Farm Organics and Thomas Snare.
12:00	Tom Snare https://www.nuffield.com.au/thomas-snare-2015	Robin Tait https://www.nuffield.com.au/robin-tait-2018
13:00	Lunch Break CHAT & BOOK SIGNING WITH RACHAEL TREASURE & MATTHEW EVANS	Lunch Break CHAT & BOOK SIGNING WITH RACHAEL TREASURE & MATTHEW EVANS
14:00	Jim Elizondo https://www.rwranching.com/
15:00	Demo Site Hour	Demo Site Hour
16:00	All Speakers Panel Discussion
17:00	Break	Break
18:00	Farmers Feast and Fellowship Supper + MATTHEW EVANS MEALTIME MUSINGS	Farmers Feast and Fellowship Supper + MATTHEW EVANS MEALTIME MUSINGS

DEMONSTRATION SITES:

Soil Pit: Hosted By Nicole Masters

Rainfall Simulator: Supplied by Vic No Till

Dung Beetles and Earthworms: Hosted by Cradle Coast NRM

Trees on Farms: Hosted By Private Forests Tas

Mixed Species Pastures: Hosted by Ardent Seeds & Robin Tait

Renewable Power: Hosted by Gener8

Safe to Fail Grazing Site: Hosted by RANT

Ecological Outcome Verification: Australian Holistic Management Cooperative

Bio Char: Hosted by Terra Preta Developments

14th February: Nicole Masters Workshop "Getting to the Root."

Lunch and afternoon tea supplied for all attendees on this day.

Location: Rocky Cape Community Hall 19074 Bass Hwy, Rocky Cape TAS 7321.

Do you want to create truly regenerative outcomes for the landscapes that steward you?

What is holding you back from success on your own property?

In this deep dive, Nicole Masters will work through the 5Ms of diagnostics (Mindset, Management, Microbes, Minerals, and OM). Through a decision-making process, you can triage where are the critical points for you to powerfully leverage "how little does it take" to foster health, abundance, profit, and success. If you have soil and plant tests, bring them along. You will go deep and wide in this journey to uncover what may be hampering progress above and below-ground.

Registration: 9.30am

Start: 10am

Lunch: 12pm

Afternoon Tea: 2pm

Finish: 4pm

15th & 16th February: Jim Elizondo's 4 Pillars of Real Wealth Ranching, 2 Day Course.

Lunch and morning tea supplied for all attendees on this course.

Location: Rocky Cape Community Hall 19074 Bass Hwy, Rocky Cape TAS 7321.

Profitable Grazing to Improve Your Land.

MASTER REGENERATIVE PRINCIPLES FOR A THRIVING FARMING OPERATION

Increase pasture utilization
Increasing stocking rates
Reduce supplemental feeding in winter
Reduce the need to destock in droughts

AND AN IN DEPTH DISCUSSION OF THE 4 PILLARS OF REAL WELATH RANCHING

Total Grazing Program
Adapted Genetics and Selection Guidelines
Nutrition
Optimal Calving Season

TICKET BREAK DOWN

15TH FEBRUARY BEGINNERS COURSE / 1 DAY TICKET

Introductory day for anyone wanting to dip their toe into the concepts of the total grazing program.

16TH FEBRUARY ADVANCED COURSE / 1 DAY TICKET

The advanced day will build on the principles introduced on day one, if you are already familiar with Jim and his work this may be for you.

15TH & 16TH FEBRUARY 4 PILLARS OF REAL WEALTH RANCHING 2 DAY COURSE / 2 DAY TICKET

The two day course is for those ready to jump head first into Real Wealth Ranching! Available at a discounted rate.

Registration: 7.30am

Start: 8am

Morning Tea: 10am

Lunch: 12pm

Afternoon Tea: 3pm

Finish: 5pm