Farmer as researcher: forty years in the field

For nearly forty years, the Jones have farmed at Henrietta in the states north-west, experimenting with different crops, grazing systems and machinery along the way.

'I suppose I wanted to find out why certain things worked and others didnt,' said Lance Jones.

Over the decades, Lance came to think about a new way of farming.

'I decided to reduce the inputs and noticed that the cattle got better . Slowly I began to get interested in organics, and with the newly formed Organic Farming and Gardening Society in the 1970s I was able to talk with like minded people'.

The Land & Water Australia Community Fellowship will provide financial support to the Jones to write about their experiences and their life at Henrietta, and importantly, the lessons theyve learnt over the decades.

At 81 years, Lance says 'hes more determined than ever to tell his story about his move to organic agriculture and the role played by his grazing method'.

'I want to pass on some of the essence of my 40-odd years of experience (and experimentation). . I feel it is important for our community to know that many of us farmers are innovative and creative even us oldies!'.