WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2022 BELLINGEN SHIRE NEWS – PAGE 5 Fernbrook farmer a finalist in Landcare awards By ADAM NORRIS days major awards werent rare, paving the way for Australias he three fi nalists for the winning the Natural Resource sustainable farming future,” said T2022 Bob Hawke Landcare Management competition when Minister Watt. Award were revealed on August he was just 28. While Geoff believes there 8th, with Fernbrook farmer “Ive always had this lifelong is always something new to Geoff Basset on the shortlist belief that we have to keep learn (and to teach others), for Landcares most prestigious adapting to changing conditions, the changes he has already award. and I do think farmers are highly witnessed towards agriculture Th e founder of Farm Mojo, adaptable,” Geoff explained. and sustainability over the years Geoff is a nationally recognised “Th eyre always having to has been impressive. specialist in soil health and adapt to diff erent markets, “Oh, its been enormous,” regenerative agriculture. He diff erent weather conditions, Geoff said. is widely sought-aft er for its just part of farming to accept “My journey through his incredible breadth of change. You cant fi ght it. agriculture has pretty much knowledge, honed over 40 years “Th e farmers I work with are mirrored the Landcare ethos. of innovative farm management. trying to create more resilient Landcare came into being about “I am a professional farmer, businesses, and I generally work ten years aft er I started farming, and Ive always been passionate with family farmers who are and as Ive watched Landcare about agriculture,” Geoff said. looking to get to the next level evolve, my own thoughts and “Ive always wanted to be of production. Creating better experiences have been in tune the best farmer I can be, so to environmental outcomes, giving with Landcare all the way. achieve that, Ive just studied them more resilience to changes “When I fi rst started, farmers and learned. Ive done a lot of in their business.” were being told its all a business, short courses, with anyone with Geoff has found himself in its about production and an interesting topic around strong company for the award. making money. agriculture. Also nominated is Dr Mary “But now farmers realise that “Ive got decades of doing Retallack for the ecological res- natural resources are the major short courses and learning toration of vineyards, and Bruce asset on their land, and they new methods in agriculture, Maynard who, like Geoff , is ded- have to be managed and cared trialling things, putting things icated to extending regenerative for. into practice, working out what agricultural techniques. “And if we want to be works and how to make farming Senator Murray Watt, Minister sustainable in our business, we better. I guess Ive always been a for Agriculture, Fisheries and have to be profi table and look farm innovator.” Forestry, has commended this aft er our natural resources at the Th is isnt the fi rst recognition years exceptional shortlist. same time.” Geoff has received for his “Th e work of Dr Retallack, Th e winner of the Bob work and insights, having last Mr Maynard and Mr Bassett Hawke Landcare Award will be year received the Dick Walker could not be more important. announced at the 2022 National Landcare Memorial Award. Th ese fi nalists are the Landcare Landcare Awards Gala Dinner Even in his early farming leaders and innovators that are on August 24th. Fernbrook farmer Geoff Basset Online shopping OPEN MON TO SAT 7AM - 8PM is now available! FREE HOME DELIVERY * Conditions apply Head to bellingeniga.com.au 71 Hyde St Bellingen and follow the links to our online Ph 6655 9500 store. Choose from free home delivery* or click and collect. *Free home delivery only available to within 5km of town. Minimum order amount $50.