The first thing most people notice about Michael Inwood’s new farming practices at ‘Toulon’ near Bathurst in the Central West region of NSW, is his car. The four-wheel drive Mitsubishi Triton ute is emblazoned with signs proclaiming how it runs on power from the sun. Michael uses it as an attention-getter at field days and farming events. Once people come to have a look, then he tells them about his project to engage nature in all aspects of his farm production including cropping, grazing, pumping water, preserving natural vegetation, preventing erosion through building rock structures and reducing the farm’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Michael’s ‘engaging nature’ plan is a major effort to build true sustainability for his wool and cropping enterprise over the next five years. He used a grant from the Woolworths Sustainable Farming Program to help spread the word about his work.