“Management is about keeping the energy cycling, biodiversity is the battery that enables this.”

Enterprise at a glance: Long-term mean annual rainfall is 425mm but the area has received considerable less in recent years; Dryland farming for fodder production; adopts many natural farming methods commonly used in many ‘Organic’ QA programs; 1700 self-replacing Merino ewes; first- cross lambs incorporating, development of ‘Arcadia Saltbush Lamb’ product sold directly to suppliers.

Key elements: Graham sees that creating a flexible enterprise by not being locked into specific farming activities can allow the spread of seasonal risks, resulting in a less stressful working environment.

In 1996 Graham commenced a succession of developments

• Increased shrub cover from 2% to 12 %, planted and direct seeded saltbush, over 250,000 trees and 120 ha of old man saltbush, managed remnant vegetation and improved the ground cover. It is planned to continue to increase these areas
• Trading carbon credits to add value to wool clip
• Ceased insecticide and fungicide use on crops and pastures
• Stopped burning crop stubble, commenced pasture cropping
• Purchased and restored Birrego Church and developed it as a B&B
• Commenced a farm stay as part of WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms)
• Regularly hosts University study tours and has an open door policy to those wanting to learn
• Derived income from bush foods and native seeds from trees
• Maintained wool production and improved wool quality
• Commenced a “Paddock to Plate” lamb enterprise where produce is sold directly to markets under “Arcadia Saltbush Lamb” in Canberra, Wodonga and Sydney.
• Is currently employing a number of water harvesting techniques to redirect water and trap nutrient runoff to aid revegetation
• Also planning to incorporate ‘ponds’ within this water redirection for frog habitat