Trusteeship of landscape and diversity focused through art

Through the auspices of Earth Canvas, a not for profit group in southern NSW, this unique project has invited six leading Australian Landscape Artists to come up with a body of art work that reflects their experience of working on a Regenerative farm since April this year.

Earth Canvas started in a response to public concern of losing contact with the production of food.

Earth Canvas chairman Gillian Sanbrook said the artists will show their interpretation of the landscape at Open Days during November.

"This project is designed to link farmers and artists to create a better understanding of the farming landscape," she said.

"It is a collaboration with the artist, agriculture science and educators.

"The open days during November are inclusive and open to everyone."

Ms Sanbrook employs regenerative techniques on her property Bibbaringa, Bowna for many years and has seen a noticeable improvement in soil and animal health, along with increased diversity of plants and animals.

"We want to open our gates and show people what we are doing on farm,"she said.

"Regenerative farming is about building ecosystems while producing healthy food from healthy soil and managing profitable farming business."

Apart from the Artist and Farmer talking at the Open days speakers will include Rod Chisholm CEO for Soils for Life will talk about what we need to learn about our soils while Brian Welhberg will talk about how to grow healthy food and ecosystems.

The first open day 9 November will be held at Bibbaringa, Bowna north of Albury where water colourist and drawer John Wolseley with share his interpretation of regenerative farming practice.

David Hardwick a scientist and educator will do an entertaining demonstration the building blocks for healthy soil and ecosystems.

Ms Sanbrook pointed out the biggest shift is in the mind when considering the longterm implications of how regenerative principles can benefit agricultural production.

"We now give more consideration to our soils and grasses and focused on stimulating photosynthesis rather than just focusing on the cattle," she said.

"We are improving ground cover and the trees, bird life and general ecology is more prolific while sequestering carbon.

Ms Sanbrook made the point Earth Canvas wants to engage with all ages and people who are concerned about the landscape and who feel disempowered about the future.

"At Earth Canvas we think there are solutions and lack of understanding about land management and farming practices are key elements affecting the frustrations people are experience," she said.

"We want to communicate with farmers, urban and regional people and open the conversation on the farms."