INTERNATIONAL SOIL EXPERT RETURNS TO TACKLE LOCAL GROWERS’ QUESTIONS

South West growers will have a rare opportunity to put their own farming questions to internationally recognised soil and plant health educator Joel Williams when he returns to the region this month.

Williams will join growers at Galloway Springs near Bridgetown on Wednesday 21 October for a practical day exploring soil biology, plant nutrition, crop resilience, and regenerative farming approaches.

The Bridgetown workshop forms part of a broader Soil Health Roadshow with Joel Williams coordinated by RegenWA, with Williams visiting farming communities across South West WA, including Perth, Augusta, Bridgetown, and Albany.

Importantly, Williams is not new to the Southern Forests. Having visited previously, he brings some familiarity with the region’s landscape, farming systems, and growing conditions – allowing the conversation to move beyond theory and into practical local challenges.

Galloway Springs’ Raquel Johnson said the day was designed to be useful to growers regardless of where they sit on the regenerative farming spectrum.

“It’s really about giving growers access to someone with an incredible depth of knowledge, while also creating space to ask questions, compare experiences and learn from each other,” she said.

“You don’t need to farm a particular way. Bring along the things you’re seeing in your paddocks, crops or soils and use the opportunity to explore what might be happening and what options are available.”

Rather than a one-way presentation, growers are encouraged to submit questions ahead of the workshop, helping shape discussion around the issues most relevant to local farming systems.

Williams said he was looking forward to returning to the region and hearing directly from local producers.

“Having visited the Southern Forests before, I have some familiarity with the diversity of farming systems here and the challenges growers are working through. I’m looking forward to getting into the questions that matter to local producers, sharing ideas and exploring practical options they can take back to their own farms.”

Hosted by Galloway Springs in partnership with Southern Forests Food Council and RegenWA, the day will also provide an opportunity for growers from across the region to connect, exchange ideas and hear what others are trying on farm.

Your Questions Answered by Joel Williams will be held at Galloway Springs on Wednesday 21 October, 9am-4pm. Bookings: events.humanitix.com/joel-williams-bridgetown

This event is supported by RegenWA through their small landholder project 'Make Your Hectare Count' supported by funding from the Western Australian Government's State NRM Program.

Contact:  Laura Bolitho Southern Forests Food Council  laura@southernforestsfood.com  Website: http://www.southernforestsfood.com Facebook: Genuinely Southern Forests Instagram: @genuinelysouthernforests LinkedIn: Southern Forests Food Council

BACKGROUND

Southern Forests Food Council (SFFC): 

The Southern Forests Food Council (SFFC) was established in 2010 by local producers who recognised the diversity, quality and potential of food and agriculture in the Southern Forests. Its role was formalised in 2012 with significant investment from the Western Australian State Government as part of the Shire of Manjimup’s Agricultural Expansion Project.

The SFFC has benefited from significant State Government investment over the past 14 years, alongside the longstanding support, advocacy and financial commitment of the Shire of Manjimup. State Government operational funding concluded on 30 June 2026, with the SFFC subsequently receiving formal advice that no further operational funding will be provided.

Today, the SFFC supports food and agricultural businesses across the Southern Forests, working collaboratively with producers, industry, government, and community through industry development, advocacy, market development, innovation, resilience and capacity building. The SFFC is also custodian of the Genuinely Southern Forests regional food brand, promoting the region’s people, produce, and provenance.

The Southern Forests is one of Western Australia’s most diverse food-producing regions, producing more than 50 different foods and beverages, from fresh fruit and vegetables, truffles and premium meats to dairy, wine and specialty products. Agriculture and food and beverage manufacturing across the Shires of Manjimup, Nannup, and Bridgetown-Greenbushes generate approximately $750 million in economic output annually and support more than 1,400 direct jobs.

An independent economic assessment undertaken in 2025 estimated that SFFC activities generated approximately $6.1 million in additional economic value in 2023–24 alone, including approximately $3 million attributable to the value of the Genuinely Southern Forests brand.