Rural life weekendMuresk Institute is hosting a rural life weekend for small landholders, rural lifestylers and hobby farmers to learn skills to better manage their land.

Saturday 20 September – Sunday 21 September 2014

Over one weekend participants will have the opportunity to take part in five sessions delivered by industry specialists, mingle with other like-minded individuals and enjoy all that Muresk Institute has to offer.

Session Workshops available

Introduction to property planning | Presented by Chris Ferreira, Forever Project

Working in harmony with the land to achieve your desired lifestyle, develop a plan that changes with the seasons.• Identify issues relating to your property and develop practical solutions whilst

maintaining and enhancing the natural features of your property. • Design for fire protection and weed minimisation.• Learn how to manage erosion, salinity, dams, drains, trees and pastures. • Strategically plan for fencing, water and stock management, appropriate windbreaks,

including fodder crops.There is a continuation of this workshop - More to property planning (afternoon session).

Working sheep dogs | Presented by Duncan Anderson

• Understand how your dog interacts with the sheep and you.• Become aware of low stress sheep handling.• Learn tricks and tips to look after, and get the best from, your dog.

The bitter bush – Native herbs and spices | Presented by Suzanne Poli and Sorsha Roberts

Learn how Indigenous flora can enhance food flavours and the rules and regulations regarding bush food collection.

Love your menagerie | Presented by Roy Butler, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia

Handle various livestock and learn:• how much food, water and pasture your livestock needs;• about the National Livestock Identification System;• about husbandry matters and animal welfare;• what livestock facilities required; and• how to incorporate different livestock on your land.

Fencing skills | Presented by Michael Salatenna, Waratah Fencing

Learn: • how to design a fence for your rural properly; and• the basic use of tools, equipment and safety gear required.

More property planning | Presented by Chris Ferreira, Forever Project

A continuation from the introduction to property planning.

Paddock to table | Presented by Peter Burgess, Kalyx

• Gain an understanding of the processes involved in converting grain into end products.

• Gain an awareness of the properties of wheat and barley that create the variety of textures and flavours.

• Do some taste testing.

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Workshops delivered on SaturdaySelect from one workshop to participate in per session:

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Session Workshops available

Tree planting | Presented by Jo Wheeler, Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management

This workshop covers the:• economic opportunities of different tree crops;• biodiversity, carbon and aesthetic values that tree crops provide; and• farm planning considerations for integrating tree crops into small landholdings.

Garden glut cooking | Kate Cole, Succulent Foods Kellerberrin

Discover how to avoid waste when your vegie garden provides a glut of produce.

Getting the most from soils and pastures | Presented by Brad Nutt, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia

Learn:• the pros and cons of various pasture types;• the importance of soil health and correcting soil limitations;• how to manage erosion; and• how to manage soils and pasture during hot dry summers and how to give

pastures the best opportunity of survival.

Making the most of water | Presented by Damian Priest, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia and Terry Brooks, Brooks Creeks and Rivers

This session includes some classroom discussion and an Avon River field visit.Learn:• the options for capturing water and how to calculate;• about storing water;• how to make your winter streams work for you;• low cost earth works to avoid water erosion;• about water quality; and• about water requirements for stock and households.

Find your passion | Presented by Bev Johnson, Refocus

Baby boomers don’t retire. Make your third quarter your life’s best work.

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Workshops delivered on SundaySelect from one workshop to participate in per session:

Book your place today!Booking instructions:• complete the booking form found on the Muresk Institute website

dtwd.wa.gov.au/mureskinstitute; and• email the booking form to mureskbookings@dtwd.wa.gov.au.

For more information call 1300 994 031.

Rural life weekend

Suitable for:• small landholders;• rural lifestylers; • hobby farmers; and• interested individuals.

Inclusions:• five workshop sessions; • all meals; and • accommodation.

Total cost:• $230 for first household member; and• $180 per person thereafter.

Session times:• 9.30 am Saturday September 2014

(registration) • 2.00 pm Sunday September 2014

(last session concludes)

Booking instructions:• complete the booking form found on the

Muresk Institute website dtwd.wa.gov.au/mureskinstitute; and

• email the booking form to mureskbookings@dtwd.wa.gov.au

For more information call 1300 994 031

After the Rural life weekend you will know how:• to develop a plan for your property that

changes with the seasons, working in harmony with the land to achieve your desired lifestyle;

• to manage your livestock and sheepdog better;

• Indigenous flora can enhance food flavour and the rules and regulations regarding bush food collection;

• to incorporate different livestock on your land;• to design a fence for your rural property;• to avoid waste when your vegie garden

provides a glut of produce;• to get the most from your soil and pasture.

After the Rural life weekend you will be aware of:• economic opportunities of different tree

crops and the biodiversity and aesthetic values tree crops provide and planning considerations to integrate tree crops on your property;

• options for capturing and storing water;• low cost earth works to avoid water erosion; • the process involved in converting grain

into end products.

Saturday 20 September – Sunday 21 September 2014