MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 18 April 2024
“Everything comes back to the people. When we start from a place of love and abundance, everything flourishes - our lives, our farms, and our finances.”
– 2020 Nuffield Scholar, James Alexander
James Alexander’s Nuffield Australia report, “Finding Harmony Through Regenerating People, Place, and Profit”, offers ground-breaking insights into how shifts in farm management practices can profoundly impact agricultural sustainability and economic viability.
In an era marked by environmental and economic challenges, James’ Nuffield Scholarship supported by NSW Department of Primary Industries, shines as a beacon of innovation. Spanning continents from the verdant fields of New Zealand to the expansive farms of the United States, his study delves into the lives of farmers who have embraced change - transforming not just their land, but also their economic outputs and personal well-being.
James Alexander’s journey in agriculture began on his family's mixed farming property in Cootamundra and led him through diverse agricultural practices worldwide. His career is a testament to his commitment to understanding and improving agriculture from the ground up - literally.
His extensive travels as part of his Nuffield Scholarship allowed him to see firsthand the transformative power of integrating people-centric and environmentally sustainable practices into farming.
The central thesis of James’ findings is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution in agriculture: the context dictates the approach. However, the common thread among successful regenerative agriculture practices is a focus on continuous questioning, learning, and adapting.
Farmers who thrive are those who innovate in harmony with their environment and community, seeing beyond the soil to the human and economic factors intertwined with it.
His report case-studies one British farmer’s dramatic reduction in farming costs by focusing on mental health and biological inputs, and a Western Australian family’s synergistic use of self-awareness and biological fertilisers boosting soil health and profitability.
Tim Parton, talking healthy roots, Rochester VIC, July 2023 (photo from James' travels)
These stories not only highlight the feasibility of sustainable practices but also their economic benefits, challenging the conventional wisdom that environmental care and profitability cannot coexist.
James notes a British farmer as "successful in demonstrating that he was able to improve his own mental health with a focus on nutrition. He was then able to replicate this with his crops in the field, by transitioning to biological inputs. To me, this shows linkage between people and place." James observed "This approach is working well for him, his costs are now down more than 50%, and profitability is up 50%."
In Western Australia, James observed a remarkable synergy between self-improvement, biological fertilisation, and profit margins. These farmers not only rejuvenated their land but also found better water retention and healthier livestock, all achieved with reduced costs and enhanced quality of life.
Multi-species cover crop harvested at the Haggerty property, WA, November 2022 (photo from James' travels)
As James puts it, "The link between a thriving human and a thriving farm is undeniable. When we align our farming practices with our personal values and health, the land speaks, and prosperity follows."
This philosophy captures the essence of his recommendations for farmers worldwide: be curious, embrace slow and steady change, and remember that every aspect of life—personal, environmental, and financial—is interconnected.
Looking to the future, James’ work not only paves the way for more sustainable farming practices but also serves as a call to action for the next generation of farmers.
With the 2025 Nuffield scholarships now open, aspiring agricultural innovators have the opportunity to explore and potentially transform the industry with fresh perspectives on regenerative agriculture.
James’s full report is now available to read here.
Watch James' presentation at the 2023 National Conference.