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From Green Promises to Proof: EU Greenwashing Rules in Australian Tourism
Tourism Australia research shows that 77% of international...
Farming and Biodiversity: Looking Beyond Soil Health
At the end of March, I will be part of an interactive panel of local...
Highfield’s Summer Birds: Meet Our Migratory Visitors
Some birds live here at Highfield Farm and Woodland all year around,...
Farming with Habitat – Kissing the Mistletoe
This Christmas, instead of kissing under the mistletoe, kiss the mistletoe instead and thank it for it’s role in the environment.
Australia’s Eco Tourism at a Crossroads: How We Measure Up Globally
2024 saw us have what we classed as a bumper year. We were thrilled...
Stargaze at Australia’s First DarkSky Approved Lodging
For countless centuries, a star-studded night sky has been a source...
Regenerative Farming & Nutrient Density: Fact or Fiction?
It is very common in recent years to hear food producers claim that...
Green or Greenwashed? Genuine Eco-Stays vs Marketing Spin
You’ve found a beautiful stay, it has good reviews, it’s been in an...
Farming towards an ethical egg
Early in our time here at Highfield, we decided if we were going to...
Our Farm Philosophy
In an earlier blog post we outlined some of our Guiding Principles....
Interesting Facts About the Uncommonly Common Butterfly
On sunny days in late spring and early summer on Highfield Farm,...
Wort Work – Eradicating the Weed Naturally
St John's Wort is by far the most prevalent weed on Highfield....
Native Perennial Grasses on Highfield
FIELDING QUESTIONS So often, my writing here is sparked by comments...
Ancient Paddock Trees and Succession Planning
When you look at an ancient paddock tree you are looking at a tree that will most likely be dead in 40 years’ time taking with it its important role in the ecosystem and a whole raft of biodiversity.
Guiding Principles
Many ask us if we are Regenerative Farmers. We find this problematic because, from experience, when we answer, “yes”, we often get the response, “oh good”, and that’s the end of the conversation. Many wait to here the ‘R’ word and then stop listening.
Restoring Native Grasses – Kangaroo Grass
We take seriously our obligation to protect, enhance and restore the important natural biodiversity that remains – not just in our conservation area but in our grazing paddocks as well.
Talking Grazing: Sheep and Paddock Rotation
People ask us how often we move our sheep – the answer is not a simple one.
What We’ve Learned About Thistles
TYPES OF THISTLES During the first couple of years at Highfield, we...
Revegetating Sheep Camp Hill
Sheep Camp Hill grew nothing, nothing – it was too poisoned even for weeds.
Where is Your Herb Spiral? Don’t Label Us Permaculture
PLEASE DON'T LABEL US I like Permaculture. I really do. I bought and...
Farming with Habitat – Wombats
Our visitor asked if we had any wombats. My reply was “loads of them!” “Do you mind them being here?”, she asked carefully not knowing what response she might get.
Farming With Habitat – Carex Sedgelands
Carex isn’t loved around here, on the farms of the Snowy. It’s missing from most farms landscapes now. In fact it’s so uncommon that it is now considered an endangered ecological community.
Farming with Habitat – Embracing the Wild Irishman
As we see it ‘Wild Irishman’ or Acacia paradoxa brings many benefits to both wildlife and the farm.
Farming with Habitat – Messy Paddocks
“Plenty of firewood here – enough for a lifetime, how come there is so much wood in the paddocks”, they asked.
To Market, to Market
“Go to the Canberra Markets Lou,” one of our market friends said. “You will sell all your lamb in one go!” Others say, “you used to live in Sydney, you should sell all your produce there, you’d have a ready market”.
The Chicken and The Egg
At Highfield we don’t believe in producing any ordinary dozen. There is much more to life than brown eggs and brown hens.