LONG-time volunteer Jenny Roberts was recognised with a Premier's Certificate for 18 years of outstanding voluntary service by Murraylands and Riverland Natural Resources Management Board presiding member Di Davidson at a recent public forum in Coomandook.
Jenny served nine years on the Soil Conservation Board and a further nine years as a member of the Advisory Group to the Mallee and Coorong NRM Board.
She is considered to have paved the way for other women.
Speaking after the presentation, Jenny remembered the many bus trips with the Soil Board to Vic in the 1990s, to learn more about the agricultural practices there.
The presentation occurred at a free public forum at the Coomandook Hall, organised by the Coomandook Agricultural Bureau and Coorong and Tatiara Local Action Plan, with funding from the SA Murray-Darling Basin NRM, looking at unlocking agricultural potential.
About 70 farmers attended the forum, which included topics such as long-term weather trends, covered by SARDI agricultural scientist Peter Hayman; an update on virtual fencing from CSIRO senior research scientist Rick Llewellyn and advice on TSM technology to identify soil production constraints from precision ag specialist Daniel Bell and Nutrien Ag Solutions senior agronomist Paul Rochs.
There was also results from a pulse check legume trial, from SARDI senior research officer Amanda Pearce, and a Saltland Pasture Redemption Project from Coorong and Tatiara LAP independent adviser Felicity Turner.
PIRSA senior soil consultant Melissa Fraser also answered questions on ripping, spading, claying, liming, and nutrient and trace element applications; Murray Bridge NRM officer Steve Baltussan spoke about the many facets of support forlandholders in relation to NRM; while South East NRM officer Kym Haebich talked about feral deer and the destructive impact they are causing to the landscape.
- information supplied by NRM group member STEPHANIE EVANS
