Press release: Funding boost helps expand farmer-led regenerative farming capabilities
Farmer-led network, Quorum Sense, has received funding from MPI to continue its work supporting farmers and growers in their transition to regenerative farming.
FERN (Farmers Engaged in Regenerative Networks) is a $1.2M two year project funded by MPI’s Catchment Extension Services Programme to support farmers and growers in adopting regenerative practices which promote positive economic, environmental and social outcomes for both farmers and rural communities.
The project, which runs until June 2025, will involve the facilitation of farmer-to-farmer learning via regional and national groups and networks both out in the field and online.
Since its inception in 2018, the Quorum Sense network has grown to more than 500 actively engaged farmers around the country within the beef, sheep, dairy, arable, horticulture and viticulture sectors.
Chloe Dear, Quorum Sense Manager, says “Demand for knowledge and information on regenerative agriculture continues to increase as farmers are looking to it as a way to address present day challenges in farming. These include climate-related events, nutrient loss, water-holding capacity, emissions reduction, animal, plant and soil health, enhancing biodiversity and much more.”
“Sharing between farmers is of great importance as it can be lonely when exploring practice and system change. Often farmers at the beginning of their regenerative journey talk about feeling isolated and the positive impact that connection with others on similar journeys has on their mental health and confidence. Having a community of farmers to draw on for knowledge and to ask questions is essential.”
Quorum Sense currently supports nine regional regenerative farming groups who host regular field days and events with guest speakers and a variety of experts. Over the next two years, it plans to almost double the number of regional groups and field days across the country to help build farmer confidence and capability in adopting regenerative practices.
This year Quorum Sense launched a Quorum Sense Toolbox, an online knowledge hub which provides practical information and tools to support thriving biological and regenerative farming systems.
It draws on farmer knowledge and experience, as well as scientific knowledge, to generate learning resources, decision-making support tools, and practical ‘how to’ information on soil health and diverse crops, and setting up ‘safe-to-fail’ on farm trials.
The goal is to continue expanding this resource, helping farmers develop greater confidence in their decisions and actions, while creating a place to share their own learnings and experience with others.
-ENDS -
Issued 31 October 2023
Press contact: Fran Bailey fran@quorumsense.org.nz / 02102798749
About Quorum Sense
Quorum Sense is a charitable trust and nationwide network of farmers, growers, researchers, and rural professionals committed to supporting the creation of thriving biological and regenerative farm systems across New Zealand.
Established in 2018, Quorum Sense facilitates farmer-to-farmer learning through regional and national field days, an online community forum, and extensive online knowledge bank. It is the go-to resource for regenerative agriculture in New Zealand with more than 50 hours of open-source video and audio content in the form of case studies, webinars and podcasts. www.quorumsense.org.nz
