Remote Western Australian Tree Farmers - Healing the Land

Michael Hogan from Bencubbin has found that planting sandalwood on his poor wodjil soils is stabilising a wind erosion prone paddock at the top of a hill. He is achieving great growth rates for his biodiverse sandalwood plantation in a paddock that was not achieving a return from conventional agriculture.


In Western Australia lies an area twice the size of Tasmania, called the Avon Wheatbelt. Of the 12 million hectares of land, approximately 8 million have been cleared. This extensive clearing has lead to environmental problems including wind and water erosion, salinity, and loss of habitat.

Agriculture is the predominant industry for this region but with narrowing margins and a changing climate, many who live in the region are looking for other options to be able to keep farming while still looking after the environment.

Industry scale planting of tree crops not only addresses these environmental issues but will provide sufficient resources for new industries. This will result in income diversification for farmers and increase local job opportunities.

This video is of 5 Avon farming families telling their stories -- about how they are trying to heal the land while developing new and sustainable production systems for their future -- their children's future and the future of their communities.

We would like to thank Wheatbelt NRM for their vision for the health and sustainability of the Avon Region and for their sponsorship of this production.


Credits:

Executive Producer
Monica Durcan
AVONGRO Wheatbelt
Tree Cropping Incorporated
http://www.avongro.com.au/


Produced by
In Shot Productions
Video Production Perth
http://www.inshotproductions.com/

Featured Wheatbelt Farmers
Michael Hogan, Bencubbin
Ian Hall, Aldersyde
Kingsley and Sandy Vaux, Ongerup
Norm, Trudi and Macushla Quick, Kulin
Andrew and Suzi Sprigg,
Isabella, Katlin and Charli, Bonnie Rock

Camera and Post Production
Craig Turner
Kristen Farlekas

Additional Camera
Serena Shaddick -- Living Juicy media

Website Video & Optimisation by
Clips Onsite
Website Videos Perth, Western Australia
http://www.clipsonsite.com.au/

For more information please visit:
http://www.avongro.com.au/
http://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/