Banyula at Clunes will host a field day on June 16, looking at regenerative farming practices | Lismore City News

Banyula, a place believed to hold historical significance as a meeting point for First Nations people, is set to again become a place where nature and people meet.

Its current owners aim to return some of the original essence of the land with a large-scale rainforest regeneration project and mixed agricultural enterprise focused on native crops.

Situated just outside of Clunes, the team at Banyula are using regenerative agricultural practices, growing native bush foods, and farming cattle using rotational grazing techniques.

Co-owner of the property Richard Schweger said this was just the beginning: “Our commitment to this regenerative project means we’re heading beyond simple sustainability, towards the creation of a lasting model for nature and people. It’s a 100 plus year plan.”

Nestled beside the Booyong Nature Reserve, Richard and the team aim to restore as much as of the Big Scrub as they can, to improve wildlife habitat and the ecosystem.

“It’s about setting up a system where the rainforest regeneration positively impacts the crops, cross pollinating, feeding the soil, creating its own microclimate and delivering newfound vigour to both the landscape and produce,” Richard said.

“The planting of eucalypt species for koalas, will also restore land that is otherwise difficult to farm, and will form what will eventually become a ‘koala resort’.”

With close to 300 thousand trees already planted, biodiversity is expected to flourish.

The farm’s carbon sequestration efforts also come in the form of a large-scale integrated model, facilitated by Climate Friendly, earning well-deserved carbon credits.

Within the Wilson River flats, encompassing 500 acres, the cattle are moved using a system of rotational grazing. This ensures the land is granted respite, fostering vitality and prosperity.

Grasses, clovers, and legumes have emerged, breathing new life into the land.

Property managers utilise regenerative agriculture practices like no till systems, cover crops and insectaries, agroforestry, active water management and minimisation of machinery use.

“We envision Banyula as a sustainable journey with nature and would like to extend an open invitation for people to come on this regeneration journey with us, to partake in the vision of a future where nature’s resurgence is celebrated and can co-exist with agriculture,” Richard said.

Banyula will be hosting a field day on June 16 which will look at the big and microscopic issues involved in farming for climate resilience and productivity.

The event is an initiative of Northern Rivers Net Zero, in collaboration with Southern Cross University, Banyula, and the Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia.

Co-hosted by filmmaker Damon Gameau and regenerative agriculture pioneer Lorraine Gordon, the field day also features DPI soil scientist Dr Lukas Van Zwieten, and CEO of The Casino Food Co-op Simon Stahl. This will be followed by a panel discussion, Q&A, and lunch prepared by Mindy Woods and David Carew.

Get tickets to Farming for Climate Resilience and Productivity at Eventbrite.