Biodynamic methods for wine grapes, olive and fig growing on Rosnay Farm, New South Wales

Guest: Sam Statham from Rosnay Organic farm near Canowindra, NSW

Introduction to this episode:

My guest on this episode of the series is Sam Statham who grows vines, olive and fig trees on his farm, Rosnay located near to the town of Canowindra in the central west of NSW. This is also the home of Sam’s family his wife Simone and their three children Molly, Georgie and Floyd. Sam himself grew up with his two brothers on a family farm in NSW which he describes as a bush paradise of rough, hilly country, mostly non arable and often drought declared.

During a life changing trip around New Zealand in the 1990s, Sam visited biodynamic farms there and took that biodynamic experience back into the family farm. Over the last 20 years Sam and his own family have continued to develop their farm using organic and biodynamic practices as well as turning it into a community title subdivision, with multiple growers working together under an organic covenant.

A written account of Sam's biodynamic growing experiences is contained in a companion text profile booklet of all the guests interviewed for this podcast series. Also entitled ‘Stories of our Biodynamic Farmers and Gardeners in Australia' details of this written publication are available from the Biodynamics Agriculture Australia Ltd. website. 

INTERVIEW TALKING POINTS  - with approximate time elapsed in mins.

• Guest foreshadow comment  - 0.00
• Generic podcast series introduction. – 0.30
• This episode introduction – 2.03
• Guest self-introduction – 3.53
• How would you describe biodynamics in 2023  – 5.58
• How do biodynamics contrast to more conventional agriculture – 8.17
• How did you first become involved with biodynamic growing in the first place? – 12.01
• Can you tell us more about the biodynamic methods you are use on your farm - and the beneficial effects they have there – 15.00 and on you – 20.45
• How have you incorporated the spiritual/cosmic aspects of biodynamics into your work? – 25.00
• What are some of the challenges you have faced in your biodynamic journey? – 29.45
• biodynamic methods to deal with starling, snail and cockatoo impacts
• What does the future hold for your farm? - 43.34
• The community title benefits of River Roads Organics farms – 45.20

• Guest take home message and parting advice on biodynamic adoption – 49.10
• Thanks to guest, acknowledgements and episode close. – 49.29
• End of episode – 54.03

GUEST AND OTHER CONTACT DETAILS:

Guest: Sam Statham

Rosnay Organic and Rivers Roads Organic Farms: Email:[e-mail]  Tel: [phone] Web: https://rosnay.com.au/

Podcast production:

Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE) Inc.(Australia)

Tel: [phone]  Email  WEB  Facebook

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia Ltd.

25 Nobles Lane, BELLINGEN, NSW 2454,Australia

Tel: [phone]  Email  WEB  Facebook

Production details:

Produced for HOPE by Andrew Nicholson. This episode recorded in Toowoomba, S.E. Queensland, Australia on 25th October date 2023.

Interview questions developed by: Anna Kula-Kaczmarski (HOPE)   Incidental Music: James Nicholson

BFGA podcast series - brief listener survey (2 – 5 minute) completion

The Stories of our Biodynamic Farmers