The catchment was a diverse group, with sheep and beef farmers, dairy farmers, forestry block owners, graziers and lifestyle block owners.
Mrs Topham's interest in the environment grew when attending an "Ahead of the Wave" presentation, where some interesting details were discussed that inspired her to learn more and pass on the information.
"Forestry leaches 4kg per hectare per year of nitrogen, [running] sheep leaches 12kg per hectare per year and dairy [farms] 36kg per hectare per year. If you have a 100ha dairy farm, it leaches 3600kg of nitrogen per year, a 300ha sheep farm 3600kg and a 900ha forestry block, 3600kg," she said.
Mrs Topham went about getting like-minded people together from throughout the Hedgehope-Dunsdale catchment area and from there the small group decided on a few base goals.
"We wanted to develop farmer knowledge, promote good management practices and identify the current water quality," she said.
"One of my goals was to improve public perception of farming and to give them some knowledge of farming."
Group members went out and shoulder-tapped a few more members of the community.
"We knew that limit-setting would come in and, going forward as farmers, we'd have a lot of pressure put on us."
The group started working with Environment Southland, wanting to determine the water quality in their area.
It was at that point they hit a speed bump.
It turned out no water quality testing was being done in Hedgehope, and when it did begin, the data could not be used for three years.
The catchment was already a step ahead when it came to looking after the environment, but group members needed a game plan of where to next.
Looking forward, the group knows the limit setting process will come.
That meant conversations within the community were needed about what people wanted - but also what they could live with, Mrs Hanning said.
Going back to a pristine environment was not possible, but a "golden middle path" was needed, she said.
"The line that looks after our environment, that provides income for our families, that there are places for us to enjoy."
Farmers were innovative people and faced challenges every day for which they had to come up with solutions, she said.
"Give them science, data and time, and they will come up with a solution."
If everybody did a small amount to improve the water quality and better look after the environment, big changes would result.
"The kicker is everybody has to do it, everybody needs to be on the same page ... The reason things change is because they can't stay the same."
The group was continually asking the community what more they wanted to know and what information was required. It would then go to the industry groups and regional councils to source the information.
It was ongoing work and both Mrs Topham and Mrs Hanning had learned a lot.
However, it was not finished and there was more to learn and share with others.
- Southern Rural Life
