Yan Yan Gurt Farm - Otways Tour

Facilitator Marney enjoyed a day out the the Wimmera Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Capital team on October 20th, when they travelled to Dean’s Marsh in the Otways to visit a working farm that’s been at the forefront of regenerative agriculture and agroforestry for five generations. Yan Yan Gurt West Farm is a leader in regenerative and holistic farming practices that have abided to caring for country whilst providing food and fibre products including lamb, high quality agroforestry timber and native flowers.

WCMA’s Natural Capital officer David assisting Landholder Andrew Stewart detailing the farm’s agroforestry model.

Since completing a whole farm plan in 1991 Yan Yan Gurt Farm have planted more than 55,000 trees and shrubs across 42 hectares, to cover 18 percent of the farm area. They also plant deep-rooted, multi-species pastures to improve soil health, and continually trial to discover the benefits of other multi-species including chicory and plantain. The Stewart family facilitate a strong ethos of stewardship for both the natural landscape, its flora and fauna, and the requirements of a successful farming business.

The tour of the farm began with a look at the farm’s fire management strategy, in acknowledgement to changing climates and risk assessment. The farm action plan includeds removing fire prone species from the property, such as eucalyptus species, and replacing them with fire retardant plantations. The farm walk detailed the movement of stock across pastures where bio-corridors have been fenced off for the protection of habitat from grazing livestock, and highlighted the preservation of old growth trees and stumps for reasons of biodiversity and habitiat.

Andrew Stewart discussed with the group the farm’s growth over the 30 year period, including a recently established a food & flower forest of native flowers and bush foods, and earthen cob cottage built on the property.

Ian Stewart talked the group through a presentaion that detailed the agroforestry side of the business. It provided an interesting perspective into how trees can be incorporated into farm planning for sustainable long-term goals and income. This discussion also included data supporting the farm’s carbon foodprint and sequestration ratio in relation to emerging markets.

Gill Stewart joined the group to facilitate a tour of one of the farms biodiversity pockets and flower farm site. She detailed how understanding the soil profile had accentuated a trial-and-error flower business that was thriving to meet the demand of local retailers. The site and farm dam has been revegetated and partially fenced to control the movement of stock around its vulnerable banks and now offered an abundance of flowering species for wildlife conservation.

Before and after: the Stewart Family dam, revegetated and stock restricted now provides a lush wildlife haven and market flower garden.

Whilst a long journey from the Wimmera where the soil and rainfall profile differs considerably, Yan Yan Gurt Farm offered a valuable insight into agricultural practices designed for withstanding generations to create not only a thriving, carbon neutral, prime-lamb and agroforestry operation, but a regenerated natural environment with proven benefits to the farm business.