At Northern Slopes Plantation in Mansfield, Timo and Emily Ploschke are revolutionising berry farming through a low-input approach. Converting 2,200 berry plants into wine production, they've proven that sustainable farming practices and creative partnerships can transform a small property into a viable enterprise.

Mansfield's iconic paddock trees, some over 150 years old, are vital for wildlife habitat, soil health and farming productivity. With these sentinel trees declining at up to 11% annually, landholders are urged to protect existing trees and plant for the future through strategic planning and management.

In Mansfield, Up2Us Landcare Alliance and Agriculture Victoria are helping landholders combat soil erosion through innovative hard structure solutions. The program combines expert guidance, practical demonstrations, and local contractor expertise to protect valuable farmland from destructive gully erosion.

In the Glenroy Hills, eleven landholders joined forces to tackle invasive Saffron Thistle and Paterson's Curse across 1,000 acres. Through coordinated aerial and ground spraying, and with support from Up2Us Landcare Alliance, the community-led initiative is successfully restoring their land's farming capacity.

Local landholders along Sandy Creek are transforming eroded farmland into thriving habitat for endangered species. Through Victorian Government funding, the community has planted 1,000 indigenous plants and installed nest boxes, helping iconic species like the Silver Banksia and Brush-Tailed Phascogale return to the Mansfield region.

In Mansfield, Simone Boyd of Heirloom Naturally is revolutionising small-scale farming through bio-intensive growing methods. Using traditional techniques and heirloom seeds passed down through generations, she cultivates flavourful vegetables like Golden beetroot and Purple broccoli on her 17-acre plot, proving that sustainable farming can thrive in small spaces.

Restoring riparian zones and managing livestock access improved water quality, reduced erosion, and enhanced habitats, demonstrating sustainable practices for river health.

On the dry Glenroy hills, Jeremy Madin revitalised degraded land with repaired dams, rotational grazing, and shelter belts, improving water quality, reducing erosion, and boosting biodiversity.