SOILIFE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- National Operations Manager
Dave became passionate about the environment and wanted to explore different ways of farming whilst growing up on a cattle property in rural NSW. Dave experienced firsthand the incredible benefits of healthy, biodiverse, and nutrient-rich soil. With his experience clearing land on the property, Dave recalls becoming attuned to the function and importance of the soil, its ability to filter and hold water, and the micro-organisms that produced essential services for his crops.
"I observed the soil's ability to expel air as bubbles after heavy rainfalls. It was evident the soils had deep profiles with the capacity to retain rain water over many months." - Dave Gourlay
Dave has honed his observations and has maintained his connection to the land, especially the importance of soil and water for farming and agriculture. The key that took Dave on the path of soil repair was the introduction of hard-hoofed animals, and heavy machinery and changed farming practices towards chemical and fertiliser inputs. He noticed the soil on the property changed dramatically, becoming compacted, the pasture, crops, and trees on his land were shallow rooted and the vital nutrients they needed to sustain growth and health had stopped being available. He quickly recognised the effect that the declining soil had on his agriculture and the need to revitalise his soil.
With these observations in mind Dave began his lifelong journey to find ways to rebuild the soil. Learning as much as he could to recover his farm from the changes he had witnessed. He used his understanding of the biology of soil to produce the initial SoiL ife products and improve the biology of soil, allowing it to regenerate back to a healthy state.
With the success Dave saw using his SoiL ife blend in place of the usual chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides, he knew he had to share it with other gardeners and farmers. He wanted others to experience the healthy, nutrient-dense fruit and veggies, bountiful crops and perfect lawns the SoiL ife products were creating.
During one property assessment Dave was called out to a Northern Rivers farm for a soil test where he met, Col Watson. After witnessing first hand the effects of these products on his own property, Col couldn't resist getting involved in the movement and so SoiL ife, how it is today, was created.