Our Events

Almonds Bus Tour – Loxton, SA to Merbein, Vic

Join us on a tour of Australia’s first Whole Orchard Recycling trial.

About

Join us on a bus trip from Loxton to Merbein, to visit the Whole Orchard Recycling trial site . Learn about the site and it’s trial data, managed by SARDI, which involves chipping trees at the end of their lifecycle and incorporating them into the orchard soil prior to planting new trees. Hear from Neale Bennet about his experiences managing a recycled orchard.

Date

Thursday 30th January, 2025

8.45am for 9.00am departure from Loxton, to 3.20pm

  • Depart Loxton, SA – 9:00 am (SA time)
  • Arrive in Merbein, Vic – 11:10 am (10:40am SA time)
  • Presentations: 11:10 am – 1:30 pm
  • Catered lunch by the river: 1:30-2:10 pm
  • Depart Merbein – 2:10 pm (1:40pm SA time)
  • Arrive Loxton – 3:20 pm

Location

Cnr Cowanna Ave and Second Street, Merbein . Bus leaves from Loxton – meeting location to be advised. Participants can join the bus, or meet at the location.

Cost

This is a complimentary event as an introduction to WoTL offerings.

The day includes morning tea on the bus and lunch at location.

The full cost of this event is $200, which has been subsidised thanks to the support of event sponsors.

Numbers are limited for this workshop, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Register here

Sponsored by

This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies.
Landscape Board for Murraylands and Riverland, SiL Sponsor

More Information

Register quickly as places are limited – RSVP 23rd January 2025 for catering purposes

For further information contact Kim Blenkiron, WoTL EO M: 0427 592 243 or Ella Henson, Almond Board of Australia M: 0435 395 222

About your presenter

Neale Bennett

Neale Bennett has been a farmer for just over 40 years, farming the same land that his great-grandfather and grandfather cleared in 1910 when they first moved to the area. Neale has been involved with almonds since converting his family farm from vines in 1992. Neale and Debbie Bennett also operate a contract almond harvesting business, Cowanna Harvesting. Neale has a long history of involvement in the almond industry, having held roles such as Chairman and Sunraysia Region Grower Representative on the ABA Board, as well as Secretary, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Sunraysia region of the Australian Almond Growers’ Association (AAGA).