Among the wide variety of stalls at the Lilydale Small Farm Living Field Day on Saturday, one in particular was wriggling with activity and important lessons.
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Its focus, earthworms and dung beetles in Tasmanian agriculture, is something stallholder Dr Graeme Stevenson has quite literally written the books about over the past 25 years.
Not all worms are created equally either. A nearby container held a black-headed earthworm, a "deep digger" whose movements help create healthy topsoil.
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The message is about "drawing farmer's attention to what happens under the soil", Dr Stevenson said.
And it was one being sought out by many, too. The Hallett family made the trip to Sonoma Lodge specifically to see how they could improve the the land they use to raise lamb and cattle in Pipers River.
"Once we heard about [Dr Stevenson] we were really keen to follow up," Sarah Hallett said.
Soil health, lobsters and on-farm diversity were just some of the topics to be delved into. Presentations on bush foods with Aunty Patsy Cameron and giant freshwater lobsters also featured.
Held by NRM North and Lilydale Land Care, this year event was the fourth time the now-biennial event has run.
NRM small farm living and biodiversity coordinator Lauren Bird said the organisers had been "blown away by the interest".
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