For Paris Creek graziers Emily Behan and Charlie Rowe, their farming practice is about more than raising beef cattle. It is about investing in the connections between soil, water, biodiversity and livestock, and building a successful farming business that works with nature.

Charlie purchased the first 90 acres of their property 14 years ago from his grandfather Stanley who had run it as a dairy farm since the late 50’s. Six years ago they purchased an adjoining 220 acres including the 30-acre heritage scrub. They now lease an additional 220 acres nearby.

Driven by a desire to continually learn and improve, Emily and Charlie have been regular attendees of the free Stewardship in Action workshops provided by Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu.

"We are always curious about learning better ways to manage what we do with our cattle, pastures and budget. We also understand the importance of soil health and biodiversity in creating a more sustainable practice, while working towards lowering inputs and creating resilience for tough years," said Emily.

"We focus on looking deeper into the cause and effect of everything we do. It’s all connected."

Emily and Charlie's son Levi out in the paddocks.

Like many producers, the couple have faced challenges with soil condition and pasture productivity.

"The biggest challenge on our property was the condition of our soils and pastures, which made it expensive and unsustainable to stock the numbers we need to carry," Charlie said.

To address this, they first focused on improving farm infrastructure through better paddock design and additional watering points.

"Goals we identified early were paddock sizes and additional watering points. They were things we needed to address before we could take the next steps," Emily said.

With those foundations now in place, they are turning their attention to soil health, landscape rehydration and reducing operating costs.

Over recent years, the pair have installed fencing and troughs, changed their grazing and pasture management practices, prioritised ground cover and soil health over hay production, fenced waterways and invested in a Yeomans plough.

“Everything we’ve achieved has been through chipping away at a project when time and finances allow,” Emily said.

2-year-old Jay with his mates amongst the stock.

The results have reinforced their belief that environmental stewardship and farm profitability go hand in hand.

"Everything we have implemented, even with only conservation in mind, has supported the productivity of our farm. That has been a surprise!" Emily said.

"If you look after the land and it will look after you. A true quote often said in the Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu workshops."

The property's natural assets continue to inspire the couple's stewardship journey.

"I love that we already have some amazing woodland vegetation and a beautiful creek. The workshops have helped us realise the potential we can unlock as graziers while protecting these," Emily said.

Their long-term vision is to create a farming system that balances production with conservation.

"We are finding the balance between being profitable graziers and conservationists, and that they go hand in hand. Gramps still owns some land next to us and we run the cattle together; he finds some of our changes amusing and rolls his eyes then in the next breath says things have never looked better," Charlie said.

"We love that by being owners we can make changes and see the results that develop from looking after every aspect of the land we're on."