In our first Earth Matters session of the year farmers Henry Sheehan and Glenn Morris (who each manage a Figtree Organic Farm property), will discuss nurturing the health of our climate, water cycles and communities by gaining a greater respect for healthy well-vegetated landscapes and humus soils.

Henry manages Wilton Park at Waterview Heights according to holistic management principles, managing animals and the landscape in a chemical free environment. He says that starting work there twelve years ago was a real turning point for him and that he now has a much deeper understanding of nature and a commitment to work with it.

Glenn Morris, the general manager of Figtree Organic Farms, is based at the Billabong farm near Inverell. In 2013 Glenn won the prestigious State Landcare Award for Innovation in Sustainable Farm Practices for the quality and diversity of work carried out on Wilton Park and Billabong. The innovative ideas and strategies on the farms were viewed as critical for regenerating Australia’s land and water resources.

Earth Matters will be held in the staff room at Grafton Primary School, Queen Street Grafton from 5.30 – 7pm on Monday March 18.

There will be time for questions and discussion. Refreshments will follow.

For further information, contact Lynette Eggins on 0438 893 390.

Earth Matters is a session on the environment which is conducted every two months by the Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition (clarencevcc@gmail.com)

Leonie Blain