VEGNET GIPPSLAND E-NEWS ISSUE 9 – september 2019
Spring is Nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party”
With thanks to the late Robin Williams
In Gippsland, vegetable growers are making ready for “the Season” which will stretch, with a bit of luck, until Easter 2020. And then we’ll see you all at the East Gippsland Vegetable Innovation Days from Monday 4 May until Friday 8 May at Maddie’s Paddock on the main street of Lindenow. The third Vegetable Innovation Days will incorporate the Tenth International Spinach Conference, the first time ever that this event has been staged in the Southern Hemisphere.
Investment opportunities for seed companies and agricultural chemical businesses, and the sponsorship prospectus will be available in the next couple of weeks. To secure your copy, send an email HERE
Image – ‘Paddlewheel’ at Koonwarra
Spinach production grows 20%
But baby spinach is tricky to grow despite increasing demand, often for its health benefits. ABC’s David Claughton interviewed Andrew Bulmer, Managing Director of Bulmer Farms. See more HERE
What makes a good agronomist?
Public consultation workshops have commenced for the Diploma of Agronomy. These workshops are an opportunity for industry to have input, review current drafts and provide feedback. The closest workshop is Melbourne on Thursday 10 October between 9 & 11am. Register HERE. To view drafts and understand the project click HERE
Growing Southern Gippsland
Bass Coast Shire Council, Federation University, Victorian Centre for Climate Change Innovation, RMIT University, and Bass Coast Landcare Network have jointly funded the Growing Southern Gippsland project. The VegNET Victoria Gippsland project has developed a case study on the foundation (land capacity & capability) work for this project. For a copy of the case study, simple email a request HERE. Meantime, find out how the Growing Southern Gippsland project is progressing …..
Hot off the press
Vegetable growers & agronomists will find this recently released book, authored by Drs Natalie Elias and Len Tesoriero, helpful for identification and control of soil-borne diseases in vegetable crops. It includes “How to use this guide” advice and is conveniently sectioned into crop types. Your Industry Development Officer will be dropping your book in to you before Christmas but if you can’t wait, send a request HERE
Copies will soon be available for loan from libraries throughout Gippsland.
Build confidence & emotional resilience at this Nowa Nowa retreat
Women working in agriculture and living in East Gippsland are invited to consider this unique no cost opportunity. Two days of training will be presented by Gayle Hardie, well-known for leadership development initiatives. As places are limited, a simple expression of interest form is required.
Contact Emma Orgill on 5154 2867 or HERE for more information & the EOI form.
Baw Baw Food Hub has increased opening times
From Wednesday to Friday the shop is open from 10am until 6pm, and the online shop never closes.
Currently there’s lots & lots & lots of fresh broccoli in stock.
Call in to 4 / 133 North Road, Warragul or click HERE to visit the online shop. The Baw Baw Food Hub is also on Facebook & Instagram
Managing salinity
Join Doris Blaesing (RMCG), Julie Finnigan (Serve-Ag) & Bruce Scott (EE Muir & Sons) for a one hour webinar on managing salinity in vegetable crops. Save-the-date 14 November 2019 and remember to register HERE
Closing with something thought provoking ….
A recent research paper in The Lancet puts the case for how current diets are disadvantageous for human and planetary health. But is it all good news for vegetable producers? Put the kettle on, put your feet up and read on HERE
