[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#53614D” background_image=”https:\/\/workingwithnature.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Derek-Smith-talking-soil-samples-stump-e1672373407487.jpg” background_blend=”overlay” min_height=”689px” min_height_tablet=”689px” min_height_phone=”654px” min_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_height=”648px” max_height_tablet=”648px” max_height_phone=”497px” max_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”120px||164px||false|false” bottom_divider_style=”asymmetric” bottom_divider_color=”#E8E5DE” bottom_divider_height=”309px” bottom_divider_repeat=”1x” bottom_divider_height_tablet=”309px” bottom_divider_height_phone=”101px” bottom_divider_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”dcd50b6b-0ed0-4abe-ab2d-55b9f81db845″ custom_padding=”||0px|||” header_font_size_phone=”63px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”afd30221-10d4-40ff-bb1a-9c4e3ca03174″ width=”100%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px|0px|30px|0px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|0px|30px|0px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px|0px|60px|0px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Specialist in biodiversity, regenerative farming and storing carbon through soil balancing.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjI5In19@” button_text=”Contact Derek” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”10px|25px|10px|25px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”d1fff7b3-4b95-4c2c-9e52-95ccd8146bce” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A Passion for Regenerative Farming<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”b70ca46a-7533-43da-be9a-f39d75e3fe60″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A\u00a0lifelong\u00a0farmer,\u00a0Derek initially\u00a0embraced natural farming as a way to solve problems the chemicals weren’t fixing.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”cf151b17-2a46-4200-b25e-3504aa03d2c3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n He now uses it to protect biodiversity, store carbon and maintain better quality and consistency in food production. He is currently running beef cattle and prime lambs on his property at Guyra.<\/p>\n Derek has worked\u00a0with producers from a diverse range of industries, different climates and landscapes. From tropical fruit growers\u00a0in far north Queensland, to\u00a0horticulturalists\u00a0in Western Australia.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/workingwithnature.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Derek-Smith-soil-sampler-refractometer.jpg” title_text=”Derek Smith soil sampler refractometer” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”4px||||false|false” custom_padding=”17px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/workingwithnature.net.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Derek-Smith-polyhouse-refractometer.jpg” title_text=”Derek Smith polyhouse refractometer” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”110px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”d1fff7b3-4b95-4c2c-9e52-95ccd8146bce” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Derek’s Background<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”cf151b17-2a46-4200-b25e-3504aa03d2c3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Derek studied an Associate Diploma in Farm Management at Orange Ag College, graduating in 1986. He built on this over the years with courses in Holistic Management and Grazing for Profit. In 2004 he earned his Bachelor of Farm Management from the University of Sydney.<\/p>\n Derek Completed his Certificate II in Assessment and Workplace Training. For 20 years he shared his agricultural experience as an instructor at TAFE Armidale. As the teacher of a year-long course in organic farming and horticulture, he helped students apply organic and biologically enhancing principles to their own farms.<\/p>\n In 2019 he ran a private course in Regenerative Agriculture and now teaches, Diploma<\/a> & Advanced Diploma<\/a> in Agribusiness in Armidale through Ruralbiz.<\/span><\/p>\n