Learning From The Land

Why Walking The Paddocks Leads To Smarter Funding

A bright winter’s morning at Mt Ossa set the scene for a recent visit showcasing innovation, resilience, and the power of strong local connections in sustainable agriculture.

It’s about understanding what’s working on the ground and hearing directly from landholders,” said Chris Gogala, Assistant Director in the Sustainable Agriculture Branch from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Chris, who travelled from Canberra, was joined by Sustainable Agriculture Governance Officer Machaela Naidoo, as part of a broader regional tour to meet stakeholders and observe sustainable agriculture projects in action across North Queensland.

Reef Catchments' Sustainable Agriculture Manager Todd McNeill and Facilitator Kellie Harmsworth hosted the visit, taking the DAFF team to the Mt Ossa property of Ken and Mary Ede, Longmile Mangoes — long-time collaborators with Reef Catchments and strong advocates for sustainable agriculture. The Edes’ farm is primarily focused on mango production but also supports mixed cattle and pasture hens. It's a living example of progressive farming techniques grounded in soil health and practical innovation.

Over the years, Ken and Mary have taken part in several regional workshops, including the Grazing Forum and Soil Symposium, and accessed grant support to trial and implement changes that have helped reduce input costs and boost production, while supporting improvements in soil health and environmental outcomes. A core focus for them has been soil improvement, something they’ve pursued through sustainable farming practices and homemade fish and kelp-based biofertilisers.

“It doesn’t smell great,” Ken joked, “but the results speak for themselves.” Soil testing across the property has shown clear improvements, though Ken is quick to note the variability across the farm's landscape.

“What works in one paddock, or one property might not work in another. That’s why learning and experimenting is so important.”

Chris and Machaela were able to see this firsthand, walking through the Edes’ fertiliser production area, viewing their custom fertiliser spreader, and visiting the mango packing shed where Ken shared insights into the R2E2 mango variety.

“We usually average packing about 10 per box, compared to the industry standard of 12-14,” he said, proudly noting the size and quality of the fruit.

Over a relaxed morning tea on the shady veranda, with views over the garden and cattle fields, Ken shared data from his latest soil tests and spoke candidly about the journey of trial, error, and refinement that has shaped their approach.

Todd McNeill echoed the importance of visits like this.

“Ken and Mary embody what sustainable agriculture is all about. Their willingness to adapt, learn, and share their experience builds resilience in their own operation and inspires others across the region. They’re not just great land managers, they’re terrific advocates for positive change.”

The visit was a powerful reminder of the value of collaboration between government, local organisations like Reef Catchments, and the people who work the land every day. It’s through these shared experiences that ideas grow, solutions take root, and agriculture in the region is better positioned to face future challenges.

A crisp winter morning at Mt Ossa set the backdrop as Reef Catchments and DAFF representatives visited Longmile Mangoes to see sustainable farming in action — highlighting collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to soil health and resilience. Photos supplied

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