Biodynamic farmer and grazier wins Bob Hawke Landcare Award
A New South Wales, biodynamic farmer and grazier last night won the prestigious Bob Hawke Landcare Award.
Charlie Arnott was honoured at the National Landcare Awards in Brisbane, where other finalists, Simon Falkiner from Victoria and Dr Graeme Stevenson from Tasmania were also recognised for their outstanding accomplishments and contribution to Landcare.
The award acknowledges a person who has; demonstrated a remarkable commitment to caring for the land, champions better practices, and gives their time to share knowledge with others so that they too can prosper. Charlie was awarded a $50,000 prize package to further develop his knowledge and skills in Landcare and sustainable land management practices.
Charlie was ecstatic to win the prestigious award. “The other finalists, Graham and Simon, have made such huge contributions to Landcare, and both have had a positive impact working with their local communities. I was completely surprised when I heard my name being called out,” Charlie said. “It’s a real honour to have what I do for a living, my passion, being acknowledged and celebrated. I hope that by winning this award, I can inspire more famers to adopt organic and biodynamic practices on their properties so they too can also benefit from enhanced landscape biodiversity, healthy plants and animals, just as we do. Being able to facilitate more on farm workshops and training for farmers and others interested in biodynamics is another opportunity this award presents.”
Charlie practices; regenerative farming, organic, biodynamic and holistic grazing principles on his 5000 acre mixed farming property, Hanaminno, at Boorowa, NSW.
Charlie has won several agricultural industry awards for leadership, resource management and conservation. He has been an active Landcarer since the inception of the Landcare movement in 1989, with previous roles in all levels of Landcare, from district groups to the Sustainable Farming ambassador for Landcare Australia.
Charlie is passionate about growing clean healthy meat, which he sells direct to customers and butchers under his brand Charlie Arnott Natural Grass Fed Meat.
Charlie’s approach and practice of biodynamic and holistic principles demonstrate every aspect of the Landcare ethic.
The Bob Hawke Landcare Award was delivered by Landcare Australia and the National Landcare Network in partnership with the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
For more information on the 2018 Bob Hawke Landcare Award visit bobhawkelandcareaward.com.au.
