Replenishing hope within hearts and the land

FARMER Bruce Martin is assisting the agricultural communities of the Corryong and Upper Murray area with their post-bushfire recovery.

A champion of regenerative farming who experienced the 2013 Dereel fires, Mr Martin is helping the mostly cattle, sheep and dairy producers to reseed their pastures and crops, and inject soil restoring nutrients and biology.

Campaigning since January, he’s heading back to Corryong with his tractor and drill, and the support of regenerative farming machinery manufacturers from New Zealand, not only to replenish paddocks, but to teach sustainable practices for the future.

Mr Martin said his ongoing fundraising is crucial to cover costs of seed and fertiliser, to transport everything there, and for farmers to know people care.

“They’re just numb, not knowing what they’re going to do, but if we have the fertiliser and seed, we can just get on with the job,” he said.

“These farmers need to know people want to help because it’s not over when the flames are out, this is where the hard stuff starts.

“They’re a proud bunch, but at some stage you’ve got to stop and accept help. After you have a chat with these farmers, they have a bit more hope.”

The process of gathering funding and talking to government departments as been “slow and frustrating.”

Mr Martin said those most affected agriculturally haven’t seen much financial support from the top, yet the quicker their recovery, the sooner the state and country will benefit economically, biologically and socially.

“Many farmers are farming in such a way that they’re living from hand to mouth,” he said.

“If we farm in a more regenerative way, we can have less imports, higher profit margins, the food we produce is rich in nutrients, the animals do much better, we use far less herbicides and insecticides because the health of the soil takes over.

“If we can get these pastures seeded, from then on the farmers are independent. They can grow their stock out, make their hay and take it from there, they just need a helping hand to get going.”

Reseeding a hectare costs around $200. Visit bit.ly/3d3O2A1 to provide financial support to the initiative via the Corryong Community Charity, or to contact Mr Martin.