Taranaki Farm is a very special working farm in Woodend, Victoria. And today was their open day. Hundreds of people made their way to the beautiful undulating hills to meet the amazing and unconventional farmer Joel Salatin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Salatin), Taranaki’s Ben Falloon and ABC’s Costa Georgisdis.
We were given a tour of Taranaki and learned the art of regenerative farming where free-range animals are used to sustainably work the land. In essence, this kind of farming allows each animal to do be itself. Pigs roll in mud and dig, chickens run and scratch for bugs and worms, and cows walk around eating grass. There are no animals in cages or intensive pens, therefore no disease caused by overcrowding and therefore no need for antibiotics in feed. Regenerative agriculture also allows different species of animals to live together, as in nature. There is no segregation between the chickens and the cows, and this allows for the land to be kept clean, without pesticides, because each animal plays its natural role.
I was extremely lucky to meet Farmer Joel and see first-hand the farming practices he encourages. Regenerative agriculture is about looking after nature, naturally. And that makes for better land which in turn makes for better livestock.
You can read more about Taranaki Farm here http://www.taranakifarm.com.au/ and listen to a podcast with Farmer Joel with our friends at The Food eXchange at http://www.exchangefood.org/radio-show.html
Until tomorrow,
Bianca
