Spreading the word

Gary Nairn hosting the SAIP visit to Mulloon in August 2019

The Mulloon Institute’s Chairman Gary Nairn visited Melbourne twice in February 2020 to deliver presentations on TMI’s work. Both presentations were well received and followed by plenty of questions and discussion. The growing level of knowledge and enthusiasm for the principles of landscape repair and rehydration and regenerative agriculture was very impressive!

The first presentation was to the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI). Members of the group include many major food companies such as Fonterra, Mars, Coles, etc. so it is good to see their interest in our work and in regenerative agriculture. Last year we had a visit at MCNF of some members from SAI so I was pleased to accept an invitation to speak to their broader membership on the “Science behind Regenerative Agriculture”. Also presenting was Dr Michael Crawford, the CEO of the Soil CRC.

The second presentation was to members of the Yeoman Society on “Landscape Rehydration – a Win for Farming, Environment & Society”. The Yeoman Society is a group of Melbourne business people with agricultural interests.

While in Melbourne, I also met with representatives of the Global Evergreening Alliance (GEA). This international organisation is funded by a number of philanthropists and does very good work in various parts of the world, in particular helping small farmers in developing countries be more regenerative. GEA feels that governments around the world have been too slow in addressing issues related to landscape restoration and moving carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the soil to increase soil carbon. As part of its campaign it will now be investing substantial funds in Australia under a program called “Restore Australia”. GEA immediately recognised the connection to the work of TMI so it was very advantageous to discuss similar interests. GEA will be launching “Restore Australia” in March so I will report further in my March update.