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| Bill describes himself as a grass farmer, philosopher, raconteur, maven and epicurean. Welcome to my place, make yourself at home, wander around. I welcome your feedback. Talk to you soon. It takes two to speak the truth,—one to speak, and another to hear. H D Thoreau It takes a golden ear to be empty enough of itself to hear clearly. -M.C.Richards 1. Environmental Best Management Practice (EBMP) Workshops. Environmental Farm Planning workshops, using the EBMP system, allows farmers and landcarers to use a workbook and / or a computer program to self assess and to develop an environmental farm plan, the workshops are free and we hope to continue them again soon. Further information on this website in Sustainability & Farming page, in "Farming in uncertain times." Contact me through this website by email for updates and / or requests for a workshop. (The present round of workshops has finished and funds to continue this invaluable process are currently being sought by the VFF) 2. Hint. For more easily finding specific information on this site, google billhill, then look for " Bill Hill Coaching and Self Development"and then look for " More results from www.billhill.com.au »" click on this and about 5 pages come up with a brief primer on some of the information contained within the site. Cheers Bill. (Hope you find this is a useful tip) 3. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, "Soil Carbon Opportunity" "Today I want to announce one opportunity that the government will be investigating: soil carbon… I am hearing more and more about the possible potential of enhancing the carbon stored in our soils. That is why today I am asking Tony Burke- as part of the "our Australia's Future initiative - to investigate how better soil management can be part of Australia's response to climate change. 4 March 2008 more information @ website. - carboncoalition.com.au (see Sustainability and Farming page, "Farming in uncertain times") |
| New landscapes through new mindscapes | |
 We can only develop new landscapes when we use new mindscapes, new ways of thinking, seeing and being. |
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| Be the change you want to see in the world |
| Mahatma Gandhi, said "Be the change you want to see in the world," and consistant with that purpose I wish to share my vision for a more sustainable world. My intention is to create a sustainable and supportive environment. I will encourage elegant communication, networking, sharing wisdom, experience and information with an aim at gently provoking and stimulating conversations around attitudes to a sustainable self, in a sustainable world which moves us toward a more sustainable, preferable future. |
| SUBMISSION TO THE LAND AND BIODIVERSITY AT A TIME OF CLIMATE CHANGE GREEN PAPER |
| A View from the Hill, a farmer's perspective. "This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it." Ralph Waldo Emerson. Our current global environmental crisis could easily produce a variety of wildcards, but right now most people perceive it as gradual and regular in its development. Petersen (1999). Wildcards are low probability, high impact events that happen quickly and force the limits of human capabilities abruptly. Humans do not cope easily with rapid change and swift solutions get caught in the mire of scientific and bureaucratic consensus. Nature is cyclical, holistic and peerless and has managed the environment for millennia without our interference and does not respond predictably to science, which is linear, reductionist and peer reviewed. My experience with natural resource management is that as a general rule, when we make a positive intervention, with respect and good intention, in our farming system, we get much more than we planned for. When we combine correct process with the right amount of energy and at the right time and with sufficient patience to allow nature to weave her magic, we often get unexpected benefits as well as our desired result. To me this is nature at her most generous and understanding. Frog Hollow, Broom Hills, Warrenbayne is a biomemetic response to a NRM problem that we have successfully implemented and documented. Frog hollow, shows how a formerly a sad degraded saline gully was regenerated and demonstrates the power of a nature based approach that resulted in positive change and multiple benefits including shade, shelter, increased but better managed grazing resulting in increased productivity, cleaner water and increased native flora and fauna habitat. This was funded under an LPIS grant and facilitated by agency staff, particularly in the very successful direct seeding of a shotgun mix of native trees and understorey species. A well functioning ecosystem, sensitively managed can produce many of the outcomes demonstrated above. However the current round of local cuts to landcare facilitation will result, in less NRM benefits being realized on the ground. Country people develop confidence and trust in landcare facilitators and this results in a multiplying effect of on- ground work and demonstration sites for other interested farmers to see and learn from. This multiplier effect has not been properly researched and recognised. The bloody minded resolve of those in charge of grants to demand 30 to 50 meter wide tree corridors, regardless of the size of remnant and existing vegetation that they may link has resulted in a general halt in this vital linking process. This example demonstrates a lack of understanding of how to facilitate vital NRM infrastructure. Environmental Best Management Practices workshops are an EMS pathways program, designed on a Canadian model and refined by DPI and delivered in Victoria by VFF appointed facilitators. The EBMP workbook is not only an excellent, user friendly training manual, but is also a comprehensive resource on environmental management. The workbook guides participants through a self assessment of environmental management on participants farms including property management planning, soil, water, vegetation and biodiversity, pest plants and animals, pastures and livestock, cropping, farm forestry, nutrients, irrigation, chemicals, greenhouse effect /climate change, farm wastes. The format is two/ four hour workshops with a meal supplied, one week apart, which take the participants through the kit, with an opportunity to do some guided work in their workbooks / computer program. The participants are then encouraged to finish their self-evaluation process, and in the second workshop they are facilitated to develop a list of priorities and an action plan. These workshops are free to farmers and have been well received by enthusiastic participants, they find the process both stimulating and empowering. The process can be value added with a whole farm - planning course. Participants are keen to have an ongoing association, which would include workshops on common interest subjects determined by individual groups, including soil management and natural fertilizers for instance, would be welcomed and well attended. The Canadian process includes a peer review process, which would be invaluable addition to these workshops to allow participants to share knowledge and advice as to the best methodology to implement their individual plans. A second round of 2 /4 hr workshops could provide a peer review process, where farmers would present a 10 minute overview of their property and outline a preferred path and then receive constructive criticism / advice on how they may proceed and where they may find additional advice, agency staff could be on hand to advise on grants / funding arrangements to participants on request. The 2nd workshop could be dedicated to a greenhouse/ climate change session, with a workbook -computer program designed in a similar format to the EBMP workbook, where participants could work through a self evaluation process and develop a way forward to gain the knowledge to adopt the necessary changes to deal proactively with a subject that hangs like a sword of Damocles over all our heads. These workshops would be delivered by peers of the participants, and would not only be seen for enhancing EMS awareness, but as a forum for farmer's and landcarers to socialize and be heard on their concerns about NRM and the delivery of funds and facilitation for on ground work. The other main objective, also taken from the Canadian model, is that priority of funds for landcare projects be predicated on the successful completion of an EMBP. The Canadian model has an as of right access to a total of $50,000 per farm on delivery of a four-page document, for each peer-reviewed project. This single initiative would revolutionize percentage of the environmental dollar spent directly on farm. The leverage that Canada gets from this program is huge. A very simple process to reward individual farmer's and landcarers commitment to NRM and its public benefits would be to develop a system whereby the state government gave, say for instance, a 20% rebate on shire rates to those farmer's who after an environmental audit, were seen to be delivering above average NRM outcomes, including those of a public good, while running a viable farming enterprise. It would also make the state government more aware of the inequitable rate burden that rural landholders bear. Water quality, pest plant and animal reduction, soil conservation, wildlife habitat and visual amenity would be taken into consideration. There are many unsung and generally unrecognised heroes that are travelling along an alternative road to more sustainable, resilient future agricultural systems. These trail blazers need recognition and facilitation, in a world otherwise constrained by climate change, expensive fossil fuel and increasing chemical fertilizer and agricultural chemicals and GMO (genetically modified) crops. Some alternative farming modalities and resources. Farm scale permaculture Perennial Cropping, (The Land Institute, Kansas, Research in natural systems agriculture featuring perennial grain polycultures using nature as its measure). The Carbon Coalition. (Carbon sequestration in soil) Pasture Cropping. Biodynamics. Organic farming Biomimicry, Nature as Model, Measure and Mentor Natural Sequence Farming Munash (Natural and foliar fertilizer supplier, use of fly ash 13pH to modify soil acidity) Holistic Management Agroecology ( a term which encompasses these objectives) Keyline Farming Aeration of soil (Aerway) SWEP (independent soil analysis using Albrecht soil balance principles, also soil biology tests) Some of he Philosophies on which my opinions are based. The facts of nature cannot in the long run be violated. Penetrating and seeping through everything like water, they will undermine any system that fails to take account of them, and sooner or later they will bring about its downfall. - C. G. Jung The idea that we live in something called •the environment• is utterly preposterous. The world that environs us, that is around us, is also within us. We are made of it; we eat, drink, and breathe it; it is bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. Wendell Berry Chief Seattle eloquently expressed these thoughts when he said, " Whatever befalls the earth, befalls all the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." Mother nature has been sustainable since the dawn of time, but we humans have done untold damage to our biosphere in the last 200 years of the industrial age. The ultimate irony is that the biosphere can survive the end of humanity, but humanity cannot survive the end of the biosphere. Ecosystem dynamics are complex and have a degree of unpredictability and often exhibit rapid rates of change and are continually evolving and going through birth, growth, death and renewal at different spatial and temporal scales. Ethics. All ethics so far evolved, rest on a single premise: that the individual is a member of a community of interdependent parts. The Land Ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants and animals, collectively known as the land. The Land Ethic changes the role of Homo-sapiens from conqueror of the land community to a plain member of the natural system. Principles of Agroecology Agroecology is the science of applying ecological concepts and principles to the design, development, and management of sustainable agricultural systems. Manage Ecological Relationships. We need to re-establish ecological relationships that can occur naturally on the farm instead of reducing and simplifying them. Manage pests, diseases, and weeds instead of "controlling" them. Use intercropping and cover cropping Integrate Livestock Enhance beneficial biota. In soils mycorrhizae Rhizobia free-living nitrogen fixers Beneficial insects Provide refugia for beneficials. Enhance beneficial populations by breed and release programs. Recycle Nutrients Shift from through flow nutrient management to recycling of nutrients. Return crop residues and manures to soils. When outside inputs are necessary, sustain their benefits by recycling them. Minimize Disturbance. Use reduced tillage or no-till methods. Use mulches. Use perennials Adjust to Local Environments. We need to match cropping patterns to the productive potential and physical limitations of the farm landscape. Adapt Biota adapt plants and animals to the ecological conditions of the farm rather than modifying the farm to meet the needs of the crops and animals. Diversify Landscapes Maintain undisturbed areas as buffer zones. Use contour and strip tillage. Maintain riparian buffer zones. Use rotational grazing. Biota Intercrop. Rotate crops. Use polyculture. Integrate animals in system. Use multiple species of crops and animals on farm. Use multiple varieties and landraces of crops and animals on farm. Economics. Avoid dependence on single crops/products. Use alternative markets. Organic markets. Community Supported Agriculture. "Pick your own" marketing. Add value to agricultural products. Process foods before selling them. Find alternative incomes. Agrotourism Avoid dependence on external subsidies. Use multiple crops to diversify seasonal timing of production over the year. Empower People. Ensure that local people control their development process. Use indigenous knowledge Promote multi-directional transfer of knowledge, as opposed to "top-down" knowledge transfer. Teach experts and farmers to share knowledge, not "impose" it. Engage in people-centric development. Increase farmer participation. link farmers with consumers. Strengthen communities. Encourage local partnerships between people and development groups.Ensure intergenerational fairness. Guarantee agricultural labor. Ensure equitable labor relations for farm workers. Teach principles of agroecology & sustainability. Human impact on natural systems. The process of altering the pyramid for human occupation releases the stored energy, delivering an exuberant but unsustainable burst of both wild and domestic, plants and animals. These releases of stored energy tend to cloud the reality that we are mortgaging our immediate future and risking the ability of the earth to sustain life as we know it. To summarise •Land is not merely soil, so stop treating it like dirt. •Native birds and animals were designed to keep the energy circuit open, exotic imports my not do this as effectively if at all. •Man made changes are of a different order than evolutionary changes, and have effects more comprehensive than intended or foreseen. •We must broker a modus vivendi, a working arrangement between the conflicting interests of human beings and "nature" to engage in a practical. Conclusion Farmers produce and manage agricultural primary industry, many for little if any profit, can we rely on corporate business to feed and clothe us? Rural skills, understanding and empathy with natural systems are vital for our ability to feed ourselves into a less certain future. If family farmers terms of trade don't improve they can't survive, who then will steward the land and produce food and fibre? These farmers are an invaluable resource who need to be valued, adequately rewarded and facilitated through necessary change. Food security and natural resource management, to a large degree depend on our farmers. Lastly, we all have something to lose, a biosphere that supports life as we know it, so let's tread lightly on the earth. Bill Hill "If you speak the truth, have a foot in the stirrup." Turkish Proverb See "The Circle of Life," by White Cloud on this website in the section "A view from the Hill" (This piece was submitted in support of a much more detailed submission put in by Serenity Hill) |
| 34 Angus Steer Weaners were offered for sale at Wodonga 5/6/08 | |
 These exceptionally quiet calves are fed and handled daily. They weighed an average of 266 kg and made $525 or $1.97/kg. Euroa 26/6/2008 sale. 34 steer weaners, same breeding and quality were sold at Euroa, end of financial store cattle sale on Thursday 26 June. Weighed approx 250kg and sold for $540, about $2.16 c/kg |
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| Gems |
| "The secret to remaining light hearted and happy in a world that faces so many challenges is my wisdom. I put my energy into the things I can change and make my life a source of positivity, living the changes I want for the world." |
| "You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result" - Gandhi |
| Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius --- and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. -Einstein |
| Nature is trying very hard to make us succeed, but nature does not depend on us. We are not the only experiment. - R. Buckminster Fuller |
| Happiness |
| Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. Denis Waitley: |
| Serenity's input at the 2020 Summit recognised. |
| Just wanted to bring your attention to the "Future Directions for Rural Industries and Communities" section of the initial report from the 2020 Summit: The development of strategies for fostering food security and the future sustainability and productivity of remote, rural and regional Australia has been the focus of summit discussions and made it into the top ideas: A government unit should be established to consider national and global food security, looking at the context, drivers and emerging trends and new policy options. (the importance of these two words cannot be overestimated in the current climate of discussions re. global food security as Australia's opportunity to increase ag exports at any cost . . ) So congratulations to Serenity on a successful mission (evidence of her personal contribution is on the videos), you made a very worthwhile contribution to the sustainability group! It is worth noting that apparently there was much more opposition to the proposed 'eyes north' approach than has made it into this initial report! (Footnote) Perhaps we may have to deal with the present quandary in the Murray Darling Basin, the food bowl of Australia and fix up our collective mistakes before we stuff up the relatively untouched pristine rivers of northern Australia. After all it has only taken us 100 years to turn a living system into a salty drain and much of that without the technology we presently have at our disposal. For a moment may I suggest that we contemplate the country as our mother and ask, "Could I treat my mother like that." If we believe we could, we deserve to become orphans very soon. |
| Reflections of a proud father. | |
 Serenity Jane Hill arrived about midday, on June 18th, 1977. I remember we had had a lot of rain overnight. It used to rain more then, BC, before children. I had been reading a Readers Digest abridged story about a girl of Quaker heritage who was rediscovering her roots called, "I take thee Serenity" and it had a profound effect on me. Serenity (tranquillity, composure) was something I craved in my life and is what I wished for our beautiful first-born child. I also believed that she would have a competitive advantage in being remembered because of her "unusual" name. Debbie had initially resisted my insistence on Serenity as her first name, however as soon as she was born, the name seemed right and so Serenity Jane made her entrance into the big wide world. Many people commented on our little girl's name but almost everyone who has interacted with her remembers an engaging, friendly, determined, focused, competent and committed human being who, in Ghandi's words, seeks to "be the change you wish to see in the world." From a young age Serenity showed common sense and an uncanny sense of personal direction. She loved to learn and was always doing stuff. Even as a little girl she was thoughtful and considerate. A toy wheelbarrow was used to gather small twigs and sticks for the combustion stove. Debbie still delights in telling the story of the little bunch of dry kindling wood she would find in the wood box, left by Serenity, after her almost daily self appointed task was completed, quietly and without fuss. Our kids have always helped out on the farm and the annual shearing was no exception. Serenity's task from an early age was to sweep the board and pickup the bellies. She would become quite vocal if the rousy was tardy in picking up the fleece and didn't allow her sufficient time to sweep the floor properly. It was quite a humbling experience to be told by a little girl to hurry up and get the wool out of the way so she could do her job properly. My respect for her work ethic was forged in those early days and has grown with her commitment to make a difference. Serenity has always been a scallywag with a wonderful sense of humour and with her little brother Bobby, was always on for an adventure. Sometimes it was weeks or even years after that one of them would let the cat out of the bag about one of their escapades. Serenity's Grandma Hill was an important influence on shaping Serenity's early opinions and future direction. Grandma did stuff that was fun and inclusive and Serenity got that it was fun to be a human being, not just a human doing. Serenity always excelled at school, but it was not until VCE at Benalla College, where she and several friends lobbied for the opportunity to do Philosophy, by distance education, through Monash University, that she impressed upon me her determination to forge her own path. A path less travelled, a more challenging and personally engaging path, one that breaks new ground, with new thinking about old wisdom. Philosophy is thinking about thinking and Serenity is thinking about doing and presenting those ideas in a manner and style that engages others in possibility. Serenity has been fortunate in the mentors that have seen her possibility and encouraged her on her trail of personal development. After completing her undergraduate degree in Public Policy at Melbourne University. She worked in various Public Service positions (most recently in Climate Change Adaption for the DSE), rising quickly through the ranks while continuing her studies. She holds a Master of Environmental Management (Melb Uni) and is currently enrolled in her PhD at Melbourne University supported by the CRC for Future Farm Industries ("Landholder adaptation to climate and other complex change and what this means for the resilience of the food system). Serenity took a year off to see some of the world, have fun, work and take stock of her life. She travelled in Central America, Cuba, Eastern Europe and Africa with a specific interest in sustainable food systems. Her inclusion in Prime minister Rudd's 2020 summit is testament to the regard in which she is held by her peers. Her brothers, Robert and Jonothan and Debbie and I acknowledge with love and respect, the contribution that Serenity has made and wish her well as she continues on her road less travelled, seeking to become someone who does things that helps create a more supportive and sustainable society. (Photo of Serenity taken in Africa 2005) Bill Hill Warrenbayne |
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| "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead Some ask why, I ask why not, some ask who can and I answer we can all make a difference. No one has the all the answers, but we all have the ability to ask questions. Maybe our most important task is to learn to ask the right questions! |
