Rob Ahrens is a landholder (end user) based in Rockleigh, South Australia who is passionate about supporting and building living soil.

Rob developed his passion for soil microbes and natural regenerative farming because it was the only way he found he could get his plants to thrive on his 80 acre property, located in a rain shadow with shallow, rocky and depleted soils. He became passionate about LIVING SOIL after experiencing failure with mass tree planting (with nil focus on soil). He started dabbling and experimenting with worm farming, composting, biochar, mycorrhizal fungi, magnetised water, rock dust, compost tea, biodynamics, KNF, aquaponics, wicking beds, fish waste, seaweed and collecting microbes from local/ natural forest ecosystems. The results have been spectacular and speak for themselves.

The above pictures show Rob’s soil before and after the incorporation of compost over time. The soil has changed from being dry and lifeless and without structure to a moisture-holding powerhouse of life.

Rob’s property (above) – showing the before and after results of 10 years of the application of holistic planned grazing and focussing on increasing the life in the soil.

Over the years Rob has saved a lot of money using organic waste (free) via composting as fertiliser.  He feels very lucky to have had Dean Bryant who used to own Peachester Blueberries in Qld as a soil mentor who has guided him in the process.

In order to access organic materials to add to his soil, Rob has started a group called Murraylands Compost Network which has started connecting with local cafes and restaurants to collect organic food waste for composting. The group is also connected with other SA-based groups doing similar things such as Semaphore Compost Network and Northern Adelaide Compost Network.

Rob believes strongly that if composting was localised, Australia would be able to save tonnes of food waste from going into landfill while at the same time allowing farmers to regenerate our soils to LIVING soils using waste via composting.

Rob would love to connect, communicate and network with other landholders and composters. If you would like to contact Rob please email him at EnviroRob@bigpond.com