Work experience at Mulloon

I’m Krishna Nagarajan and I am a first-year student at the University of New England. I study a Bachelor of Rural Science and undertook seven weeks of practical experience with The Mulloon Institute (TMI) in November-December 2020.

I am a nature-lover by background and thus was interested in natural resource management. I see the approaches used in regenerative agriculture as practical ways to positively manage land. I can’t quite remember when I first heard about ‘leaky weirs’, but I wanted to see them in action. They seemed an interesting adaptation of a dam and matched what I had seen in nature. 

I spent most of my time assisting TMI with the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative. I worked on and around the leaky weirs on the Duralla property. This involved planting reeds along the weir and upstream flanks, as well as adding sod and grass seed to the sides of the weir and its banks. I helped the research team install water monitoring equipment throughout the catchment. I also gained experience with Mulloon Creek Natural Farms (MCNF), cleaning the chicken sheds, doing the daily shed checks and collecting eggs. 

I lived with Peter Hazell and his family, and was under the guidance of Max Brunswick for my work on the leaky weirs. Tony Bernardi oversaw my work with the research team, and I worked on various activities alongside Damon Mudge. At the farm, I was given direction by Roberto Garcia and Maria Bidirinis. 

I think what I enjoyed the most was the variety of jobs to do – every day I was learning something new or improving at a skill. Developing the technique to plant a reed or start a high-pressure water hose provided a new challenge every day. I learnt the most from my discussions with the TMI and MCNF staff. These gave me an understanding of why decisions were made and the thinking behind the tasks I was doing. I found using a sledgehammer to put in star pickets a stretch for me. I’m sure I would’ve got better at it, but I was relieved when we used the rammer the next day.

My time with TMI has given me the practical experience of rehydrating a landscape, alongside MCNF running as a regenerative farm. I could see how the success of the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative and the productivity of the farm were connected. My experience with TMI has continued my passion for regenerative agriculture and excited me for the work opportunities I will engage in after uni. The model of a regenerative farm facilitating the regeneration of a catchment excites me about the possibility of positive change in our landscapes.

If students are looking for an approach to agriculture that enhances the natural resource base, then I would recommend completing work experience with The Mulloon Institute. A student can learn much, as I did, by participating in TMI’s vision of restoring landscape function.

The Mulloon Rehydration Initiative is jointly funded through the Mulloon Institute and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and is supported by various affiliates.