Kia ora Subscriber First Name,

Say hello to the June newsletter from Quorum Sense.

Some big news from us: we have been successful in securing an additional two years’ funding from MPI which will enable us to continue supporting regional groups, delivering field days and events in partnership with others, creating great content for our website and offering a host of other services that connects our regenerative agriculture community with each other and beyond.

Meanwhile, June has been a busy one: see below for a wrap up from our two 2023 Quorum Exchange (North and South) events. Additionally, there’s details of our new Catch the Rain Project and some upcoming events including a discussion series organised by the Taranaki Regen Ag group.

Quorum Exchanges 2023

Connecting - People - Soil - Plants - Animals - People - Creating Connections

Quorum Exchange North was held in Feilding and on the Coleman’s organic dairy farm on 22nd June.

This was an excellent example of the ability of a room of farmers and other rural professionals to come together to spread the regen love and positivity. A great selection of diverse presenters: kudos to Merf and all the presenters for their time and dedication to QS. The network of connected groups in the lower to mid North Island is super inspiring. Between them, they host lots of regional mini ‘QEx’s’ sharing ideas and experiences.

Quorum Exchange South was held in Darfield and at the Scarlett farm on the 28th June. We observed the benefits of the wintering innovations of bale grazing and diverse cropping. It was also another great opportunity to get to know people within the regen ag community.

In the past 7 days the Quorum Exchanges reached 140+ farmers and rural service sector folk. If you were unable to attend, we will be releasing video content from the events in the near future.

Thanks to all who attended and special thanks to the QS team and all the presenters.

Get involved in the ‘Catch the Rain’ Project

Catch the Rain' is a new Quorum Sense led and B+LNZ funded project that aims to practically and profitably improve rainfall capture and retention in pastoral soils.

We are looking for interested farmers in Otago/Southland, Canterbury, Wairarapa, Manawatu and Central/Southern Hawkes Bay - registrations close 30 July 2023.

- Be part of a farmer-led research project that is hands on and tailored to your farm/local area

- Connect with other farmers and scientists to share knowledge and ideas

- Grow your knowledge of soil health and soil monitoring skills, and

- Identify and test practice changes that could practically and profitably improve rainfall capture, retention and the resilience of your farm to weather extremes.

Podcast #31 - Integrating your values into farming with Charlie Arnott

Australian farmer, podcaster and all-round regenerative advocate Charlie Arnott talks landscape healing, nutritionally dense food and the complexity and stresses of farm management.

Whilst Charlie is grateful for the reference point his science background provided him with, it wasn’t helping integrate his personal values into farming; not just bringing biodiversity and resilience to a sometimes challenging environment but also engaging with people, having fun and being playful.

Events

Our events page features field days, workshops and conferences with a regen focus or aspect from around the country.

• Kaipara - Next Level Grazing Field Day, Thursday, 6 July 10am-2pm in Matakana. Hosted by Kaipara Regenerative Farming Group supported by Quorum Sense with guest speaker Siobhan Griffin Register here - FREE

• Taranaki: Round the Mountain Discussion Series - first of six dates, Thursday 6 July This first discussion will focus on introducing regenerative agriculture. There will be a farmer presentation and a practical session on how to do visual soil assessments plus slake and infiltration tests. Register here - FREE

• Canterbury: Non-chemical Weed Management Workshop, Friday, 21 July : This workshop gives a complete overview of non-chemical weed management as part of Integrated Weed Management and managing herbicide resistance. Register here

For more details of these events and others, go to: https://www.quorumsense.org.nz/network-events

Please contact us if you have an event, field day or workshop you would like publicised or if you would like to organise something local with our support.

Ngā mihi,

The Quorum Sense Extension Team