In early 2001 ReGenesis Enterprises Pty. Ltd. purchased The ReGenesis Farm, a 130-acre rural property ten minutes inland from Byron Bay on which to create a model of ecological land management. ReGenesis hoped to utilize the best of Permaculture, whole systems farming, traditional and modern organic agricultural methods, all geared to revitalize the degraded rural farm and grazing land while producing local produce and fruits for the local community.
Following an extensive ecological design process, ReGenesis addressed the critical issues of water storage, soil improvement, fencing, access roads, weed infestation, and remnant/habitat protection. Initial rainforest regeneration work, the planting of long-term cabinet timbers, eucalypts, citrus, bush-tucker and polyculture orchards followed.
| The integrated farm and forest design at ReGenesis was expected to deliver measurable environmental, social and financial results over the long term- to: |
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•
increase biodiversity,
• sequester carbon,
• repair / replenish degraded soils,
• provide
habitat and improve habitat conservation
• recycle
waste (by creating waste feed back loops)
• generate
local business and educational opportunities |
 |
In 2001, 15 hectares were cultivated including:
- 5.5 hectares of poly-culture orchards,
- 9.5 hectares of rainforest cabinet timbers, and
- 1.5 hectares of eucalypt forest.
In 2003 2 hectares of rainforest regeneration, 1 hectare of bamboo, and a nursery were added.
2004 saw the addition of 1 hectare of market garden and an additional half hectare of regeneration.
In 2005, the market gardens were expanded and refinements were made to the system so that a higher yield was generated on a per hectare basis. High value compost was being created on the farm and used on all gardens and orchards, adding to the overall farm productivity and enriching the once depleted farmland. |
| Documentation
Prepared in Year One at
The ReGenesis Farm: |
| |
• Site Assessment
• Management plan and budget
• Revenue projections through to year twenty-five
• Photo Documentation: Contour Mapping; Base Map
• Site Design
• Flora and Fauna Survey
• Native Forest Remnant Assessment and Weed Treatment
• Rain Forest Regeneration Plan
• Soils Test and Soils
Map
• Ecological
Land Use Plan provided on CAD
• Drainage and Irrigation Management Plan |
ReGenesis Farm began as a research facility to explore the economic viability of biologically diverse, small-scale and high-yield sustainable farming methods which foster and protect native ecosystems and ecosystem processes.
One of the most exciting research projects held on the farm was the growing of herbs and vegetables in an innovative Straw Bale System. A thick layer of humus was placed on the top of traditional hay bales; organic veggie seedlings and seeds were then grown in that layer of humus, producing highly nutritious, vibrant, plants. Almost no weeds grew in this robust base and less water was required. This process, however, proved to be very labor intensive, but the results were extremely positive. Further trails are recommended to streamline the process for use in areas of depleted soil.
Originally, ReGenesis Enterprises managed all on farm production, marketing and sales. This proved to be economically unsustainable. In 2007, farm production shifted from the original owner to several small farm licensees or tenants. The owner became a landlord/steward; each tenant joined The Farm’s Grow-Operative Project, managed their own business, paid a licensing fee to ReGenesis for the land and services used, and worked collaboratively , wherever possible with the other tenants.
ReGenesis is developing and actively seeking affiliations and partnerships
with educational institutions for continued research into ecological
land management and eco-forestry models.
Today, ReGenesis is a unique ‘grow-operative’ tenant farm, growing local organic food primarily for the local community, and fostering ecologic, best practice sustainable systems.
ReGenesis has, over the years, developed valuable affiliations and partnerships with educational institutions for continued research into ecological land management and eco-forestry models.
 Rainforest Rescue, a not-for-profit organisation committed to saving our rainforests for current and future generations, works to create opportunities for individuals, families, philanthropic trusts and businesses to save our dwindling rainforests.
Southern Cross University tested our compost samples for nutrient analysis, studied the genetic diversity of endangered species and analysed the options for innovative sanitation and grey water systems.
Soil
Food Web Institutetrained the staff in the most appropriate manner of compost creation, and tested our compost samples for microbiological diversity and quality.
Earth Process Ecological Services catalogued The Farm’s and Eco-Hamlet’s Flora and Fauna and discovered an endangered species on The Main Arm Eco-Hamlet site. That species, Elaeocarpus Williamsianus.is now protected by the first state-wide Protection Scheme for endangered species, designed and developed by Robert Kooyman.
Perma-forest Trust worked with ReGenesis on the assessment and valuation of it’s timber forest.
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A solid framework of integrated forestry plantings, restoration areas, well-developed farm infrastructure and ecological management plan has been put in place at the ReGenesis Farm to support a number of ecological farm enterprises in the future. |
