Hi Everyone,

In our quest to foster the "soil to soul" connection, we often look to the Broadacre fields, but some of the most profound lessons in Nutrition Farming® are currently happening on a much smaller, more intimate scale. Today, I am joined by Tristan, a young grower at Mount Dillon who is channelling the wisdom of legends like Elliott Coleman and Jean-Martin Fortier to prove that you don't need hundreds of hectares to build a viable, life-affirming business.

Tristan’s journey is a testament to what happens when we stop focusing on sheer volume and start focusing on the health of the "microbial bridge." By shifting the metric from yield per hectare to profit per square metre, he has transformed a patch of light soil into a thriving ecosystem. This isn't just about growing vegetables; it's about reducing the metabolic load on the land while maximising the nutrient density of every leaf produced.

During our discussion, we touched upon a critical realisation for many intensive growers: the "too much of a good thing" trap. Tristan noted that initial massive applications of compost led to phosphorus and potassium levels that were heading off the charts. As we know in Nutrition Farming®, excess potassium can shut down calcium uptake, weakening the cell walls and inviting disease. Tristan’s pivot toward microbial worm extracts and biological seedling dips is exactly the kind of precision we advocate to maintain balance while fostering high-intensity production.

We also explored the fascinating world of anaerobic composting using Nutri-Life BAM™. While conventional aerobic turning is common, it often results in the off-gassing of precious carbon and nitrogen. By utilising a "silage cover" and an anaerobic process, Tristan is able to retain nearly 900kg of finished product from every tonne of raw material—effectively locking the "humus" potential into the soil rather than losing it to the atmosphere.

You’ll also discover:

• The Guru Influence: How the "Market Gardener" model is becoming a global phenomenon.
• The Salad Secret: Why baby brassicas and mizuna offer the fastest return on investment.
• Weed Control Wonders: How "no-dig" systems and silage tarps can neutralise even the most aggressive Kikuyu.
• The Ultimate Partnership: The synergistic relationship between Mycorrhizal fungi and Azotobacter for nitrogen fixation.
• Human-Scale Tools: Why the broadfork is the most important tool in your shed for monitoring soil structure.
• Direct Marketing: Navigating the path from the farm gate to high-end restaurants and co-ops.

By embracing these intensive, biologically driven models, we aren't just farming; we are regenerating the health of our communities, one square metre at a time.

Sili-Cal (B)™

Bio-activated calcium and silica with boron.

A unique combination of three synergistic cell-strengthening elements: Silica, Calcium and Boron. Sili-Cal (B)™ is an invaluable nutritional inclusion for improving crop resilience and maximising productivity.

The plant cell wall is the physical barrier that helps to avert insect and disease entry. The two elements that toughen that barrier are calcium and silicon, but boron is the third leg of the stool, providing the foundation for crop protection. Boron is a calcium synergist with its own additional resilience functions.

Sili-Cal (B)™ contains luxury levels of these vital cell-strengthening elements in a convenient liquid application with high compatibility with many inputs. Silica and calcium are typically the least user-friendly of all minerals, but in this unique formula, they can be combined with everything. 

In addition to its role in cell strengthening and resilience, calcium is also required for fruit and vegetable quality and flavour. Silica, for example, has several other roles, including stem strength and nutrient translocation and, most importantly, according to recent research, a major broad-spectrum immune elicitor.

Nutri-Life BAM™

Multipurpose blend of anaerobic species for soil, compost and plant health.

This breakthrough probiotic blend contains lactic acid bacteria and purple non-sulphur bacteria, plus beneficial yeasts and microbial exudates.

To order or learn more, call NTS on (07) 5472 9900 or email sales@nutri-tech.com.au.

Certificate in Nutrition Farming

Our next iconic, five-day Certificate in Nutrition Farming® course is scheduled for Monday, 13th  - 17th July  2026.

Our last course was attended by growers and consultants from six countries. It was a wonderful learning opportunity where attendees enjoyed a wealth of education and inspiration from both our presenters and their fellow attendees. We only accept 40 bookings for these courses, so please register if you would like to attend.