The Otway Agroforestry Network encourages and supports local farmers to design and implement revegetation projects for the reasons that matter to them. Otway landholders want trees on their farms to shelter stock, control erosion and dryland salinity, attract native birds, enhance property values and, if at all possible, to generate income.

Set up by local farmers with government support in 1993, the Otway Agroforestry Network is a not-for-profit community organisation striving to encourage the wider adoption of commercial vegetation management as an integral component of more productive and environmentally sustainable farming. We are fortunate that the Federal and State Governments, along with the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, recognise the public benefits that our trees provide the community. Improved water quality in our streams, the conservation of our unique flora and fauna and the promise of alternative timber sources, make well managed trees on farms a good story for rural communities and the nation as a whole.

The Otway Agroforestry Network is recognised as a national leader in community development of innovative and multipurpose forests on farms. By involving farmers in the design and management of trees for conservation and profit, landscape change occurs in a way that reflects the interests and aspirations of the local community. The environment services and commercial products our multipurpose forests provide the wider community are being recognised by governments, industry and the catchment authority.

We encourage all members of the Otway community to participate in our programs over the coming years and welcome members to contribute their own ideas and consider working for our local community group.

Trees for farms, fuel & frogs

Celebrating the International Year of Forests

Supported by Caring for our Country, the Otway Agroforestry Network will be holding a HUGE 2-day agroforestry expo in the woodchop pavillion at the Royal Melbourne Show on the 3rd and 4th of October (the woodchopping events finish the day before)

The two-day exhibit will showcase the many values of trees and forests in our rural landscape including:

• Capturing and storing carbon dioxide in forests and timber products
• Controlling erosions along waterways and improving water quality
• Expanding and enhancing native wildlife habitat
• Producing wood products for use on-farm or commercial sale
• Providing ‘green-energy’ for heating and power
• Producing bush-foods including Mountain Pepper, Honey and Shiitake Mushrooms
• Sheltering farm animals and crops from extreme weather
• Improving landscape aesthetics ..................and much more

What you’ll see and do

• Learn how to inoculate logs and grow shiitake mushrooms
• Taste a range of bush foods prepared by our chefs
• Watch a portable sawmill in action
• See fine furniture produced by young Melbourne craftsmen using farm-grown timber
• Try out farm grown timber decking and building materials
• Learn about firewood moisture content, splitting machines and woodheaters
• See a apiarist work their bee hives and taste the honey
• See the sheep and lambs sheltering under the trees
• Plant a tree and learn about species and management options

ALSO: each day we will be running a Shiitake Workshop at 2pm the afternoon where we'll demonstrate how to inoculate logs. Spawn and growing guide will be available for purchase.

Contacts:

Marianne Stewart – 0407332889, marianne.stewart@oan.org.au

Rowan Reid – 0409609939, rowan.reid@agroforestry.net.au