Malone Creek: A Simple Miracle
Key Concepts: Natural Sequence Farming (NSF), landscape rehydration, drought resilience, floodplain restoration, erosion control, collaborative catchment management, legacy, data-driven decision making, government policy limitations.
The Drought Resilience of Malone Creek
Malone Creek is thriving despite severe drought conditions, demonstrating the effectiveness of natural sequence farming (NSF). The key is rehydrating the landscape by restoring natural processes, specifically getting water into the floodplains. This sustains the landscape even during dry periods, making farms less reliant on rainfall.
The Giants of Australian Agriculture: Tony Coote and Peter Andrews
The success of Malone Creek is attributed to the collaboration between Tony Coote and Peter Andrews. Peter Andrews developed NSF, and Tony Coote recognized its potential and worked tirelessly to promote it. They showed farmers how to thrive, not just survive, during droughts.
Peter Andrews and Natural Sequence Farming
Peter Andrews, with his deep understanding of landscapes, can "read" how water flows and how to slow it down to hydrate the land. He realized the importance of floodplains as "giant sponges" that store water and release it slowly during dry periods. His approach involves:
- Correcting Eroding Creeks: Battering down banks and building structures to slow water flow.
- Planting Vegetation: Using willows and reeds to stabilize banks and create habitats.
- Rehydrating the Landscape: Getting water back into the land as it was before colonization.
Andrews' methods were initially met with skepticism and resistance from authorities and neighbors, who viewed his use of "weeds" like willows as unconventional and contrary to established practices.
The Transformation of Tywyn Park
Peter Andrews transformed his property, Tywyn Park, from a highly eroded landscape into a flourishing and productive one within a few years by applying NSF principles. This involved repairing degraded flow lines and planting appropriate vegetation to build the system.
Tony Coote and Malone Creek Natural Farms
Tony Coote, a successful businessman, recognized the potential of NSF and implemented it on his property, Malone Creek Natural Farms. He initiated a pilot project on three kilometers of the creek. The results were remarkable:
- Increased Production: A 63% increase in production on the hydrated land.
- Drought Proofing: Water flowing out of the valley even when there was no water coming in.
- Return of Native Species: Fish that had disappeared from the area returned to the stream.
To initiate the process, six truckloads of blackberry canes were put in the creek to trigger fertility.
The Challenges and Setbacks
Despite the success of NSF, Peter Andrews faced significant challenges:
- Financial Difficulties: Focusing on promoting NSF led to financial difficulties and the foreclosure of Tywyn Park.
- Family Rift: Disagreements with his son, Stuart, over the management of Tywyn Park after Stuart bought it back from the bank.
- Loss of Tywyn Park: The eventual sale of Tywyn Park to a Korean mining company after surrounding properties were sold.
The Malone Institute and Data-Driven Approach
Tony Coote established the Malone Institute to rigorously test regenerative agricultural practices, with NSF at the forefront. The institute collects extensive data on various environmental indicators, including bird surveys, fish surveys, and soil structure. This data is crucial for demonstrating the effectiveness of NSF and convincing government agencies and policymakers.
Expanding NSF Across the Catchment
In 2013, Tony Coote hired someone to expand the NSF demonstration to the entire catchment, involving 20 landholders and 50 kilometers of creek. This collaborative approach is essential for the widespread adoption of NSF.
The Importance of Collaboration and Communication
Successful implementation of NSF requires collaboration among landholders and effective communication to address skepticism and build trust. Tony Coote's skills as a communicator were crucial in bringing people on board.
Tony Coote's Legacy
Tony Coote's determination to establish NSF and ensure its continuation was unwavering, even in the face of terminal illness. He was buried in a wicker basket made from willow as a symbolic gesture against those who opposed the use of willows in landscape repair.
Government Policy Limitations
Current government policies often hinder the implementation of NSF. Outdated legislation restricts the type of work that can be done, and bureaucratic processes can be slow and cumbersome. There is a need for greater flexibility and a more holistic approach to landscape management.
The Future of NSF
Despite the challenges, there is optimism for the future of NSF. The Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister visited Malone Creek and expressed support for government investment in this type of work. Peter Andrews is now training landholders in NSF principles, and his son, Stuart, is working with him to pass on his knowledge.
Conclusion
The story of Malone Creek is a testament to the power of natural sequence farming to restore degraded landscapes and build drought resilience. The collaboration between Tony Coote and Peter Andrews, along with the data-driven approach of the Malone Institute, provides a model for the widespread adoption of NSF across Australia. Overcoming policy limitations and fostering collaboration among landholders are crucial for realizing the full potential of NSF and ensuring a sustainable future for the Australian landscape.
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