Featherview

For many years the land at Featherview was farmed using destructive methods dependent on chemicals to solve crop and management problems. Regular groundcover spraying with herbicide created endless soil problems, specifically landslips, erosion and loss of soil microbial life and diversity. There was poor soil structure that lead to ever worsening fertility problems. In twenty five years most of the valuable topsoil was lost to erosion to the point where the crop was struggling in compacted and lifeless subsoil. The banana plants were diseased and the crop yields were declining yearly.

We took over control on January 1st 2009 and immediately set about addressing the many problems. With the aid of generous Catchment Management Authority and Soilcare grants we created drainage flow lines to control run-off in heavy rain and constructed grassed roads to provide access for restoration work. We bought thousands of dollars of groundcover seeds to bind the thin layer of soil we had to work with. We excavated the slope into a swale or terrace configuration that is central to our farm design. The swales catch and slow water run-off to aid infiltration and redirect and control heavy overflows into purposefully designed gutters. With grassed swales soil erosion is virtually eliminated and the process of rebuilding soil with organic matter is made possible. If we continued to work the slope as it was the opportunity to regenerate the soil would be far more limited.

We plan to reduce and hopefully eventually eliminate inputs by using farm grown organic mulches and compost and applying compost teas to the crop and soil for essential crop nutrients. Legume cover crops will provide ever necessary nitrogen. We have regenerated five hectares of natural rainforest and planted thousands of rainforest trees on the property. With occasional pruning and leaf collection the rainforest will provide valuable carbon to feed soil microbes. We won't use any artificial chemicals or soil life destroying fertilisers.

The core philosophy at Featherview is harmlessness. We deal with pests and pathogens with microbial diversity and applications of purposely cultured beneficial microbes. By adding more life to the farming system a balance is created and harmful organisms are supressed rather than specifically targeted. Nothing is intentionally killed or harmed in the day to day running of the farm. Our aim is to sow the seeds of harmony as we sow fruit and vegetable seeds. With harmlessness as the guiding principle in all our management decisions we hope to create a food producing paradise that enhances the beautiful landscape.