Networking for Small Farms
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Landcare In Focus May 2018 ~ www.landcareaustralia.org.au Networking for small farms SMALL farms are at the forefront the Department of Agriculture This grant enabled landholders of agricultural innovation, and and Water Resources to hold 16 to make better informed decisions are some of the most important workshops across the Bungendore about managing fertiliser and and involved managers of our and Berry regions. herbicide use, reducing waste natural resources (soil, water and These workshops, attracting of labour and money, while biodiversity). 492 local farmers, focussed on minimising pollution to waterways They are well placed to supply issues identified by the local from runoff. Australia’s growing demand for land holders, including pasture The community-based learnings ecologically-friendly food, and management and monitoring, provided through Small Grants grow rare and heritage animal bee keeping, weed management, has also assisted in community- breeds and plant cultivars that animal management and building, and increased farmer-to- support the genetic resilience of biosecurity, strategic land farmer skill sharing. Australian agriculture, and by planning, fencing, dung beetles and “Having not long been in the extension, regional economies. healthy soils. area we had no contacts and no one O ver 537,500ha in south coast The Small Farms Network also to ask for advice,” a participant of New South Wales and Australian conducted soil tests, and developed the workshops said. Capital Territory is managed in small an online interactive information “I believe we are better carers lots of 1-40ha, by land managers hub for farmers to access up-to- of the land and it has increased who have a thirst for agricultural date sustainable management my enthusiasm to improve the and environmental best practice information, techniques and ideas, environment. information. as well as opportunities to network, “Caring for the land seems The Small Farms Network get in contact with farmers, and too hard when you have little or received a $47,700 Sustainable strengthen this small farming no knowledge, having a place to go Agriculture Small Grant from community. to learn makes it so much easier.” Participants at a Sheep Husbandry For Small Farms field day in Hall, ACT. Digging in: Tackling Australia’s soil challenge • Regional Land Partnerships – Further information on this $450 million investment will collaborative research effort can be continue the legacy of Landcare found at www.soilcrc.com.au. by concentrating on projects that Th e Australian government improve the health of soils on also appointed Major General the farms. Hon Michael Jeffery as a national • Soil research – the Rural Research Advocate for Soil Health (2012 – and Development for Profit 2017) to provide strong leadership Program is investing around and advocacy on the importance of $23.5 million in projects aimed healthy soil, water and vegetation, at improving soil management. and the underlying benefits for all Australians. In 2017, the Australian government The Department of Agriculture established a Cooperative Research and Water Resources is coordinating Centre for High Performance the Australian government’s response Soil with an initial investment of to his final report, handed to the $39.5 million over 10 years to help Prime Minister in December 2017. bridge the gap between soil science Stay tuned in the soil space and farm management. because Soil Science Australia is With 39 participants that have hosting the 2018 National Soils contributed further cash or in- Ameliorating acid soils with lime - 91.44 cm offset disc plough used to incorporate lime into acid soils. Source: Project SGR1-0504, 2017. Conference, in Canberra from kind contributions of at least November 18-23, 2018. IT IS fairly well known that by world using farming innovation and best Some examples of this $120 million, the Soil CRC is the The conference will address some standards, Australia’s soil is old, practice land management to care investment include: biggest collaborative soil research of the key challenges for sustainable infertile and we don’t have a lot of it. for our ancient land. • Smart Farms Program – $134 effort in Australia’s history. soil management, exploring lessons This presents a range of The Australian government million over the next six years will The Soil CRC coordinates multi- from the past, reflecting on the challenges to farmers and land invests in a range of programs to help be invested to develop innovative disciplinary research across a range present and developing concrete managers going into the future. farmers build profitability, better approaches to protecting Australia’s of areas including social science, plans and goals for the future. However, Australia is also great at manage for climate variability, and on-farm soil, water, vegetation and economics, biology, chemistry, Visit: www.soilscienceconference. making the best of what we do have, contribute to improved soil quality. biodiversity resources. agronomy and soil science. org.au. Smarter farming kind to nature Funding boost for farmers doing it tough FARMERS in financial stress farmers make the right decision SUCCESSFUL applicants for the natural resources while increasing These submissions represented don’t need to tough it out – the for their business in times of Australian government’s Smart industry productivity and profitability. a variety of Australian agricultural Australian government can help changing markets, unpredictable Farms Small Grants program will be Smart Farms Small Grants is an systems including cropping, through the Rural Financial climate and regulatory changes. announced shortly, offering grants open competitive grants program livestock, mixed farming, rangelands, Counselling Service (RFCS). This includes identifying business of $5000 to $100,000 for projects that aimed at local and regional marine, horticulture and sugar. The RFCS assists 4,500 farmers on reduce pressures on natural resources. organisations with funding of $50 Successful round one projects options, negotiating with lenders, average a year, offering personalised disaster recovery, building financial The funds help support on- million to be allocated across six will provide applicants with real agri-business expertise to deal with capacity, business transition and ground projects delivered by local grant rounds. The grants were opportunities to help protect Australia’s hardship. access to the Farm Household Landcare and community groups, as launched in October 2017 and will biodiversity and enhance soil health The RFCS helps clients identify Allowance. well as larger farming systems groups continue through to 2022-23. and vegetation management. options and maximise the value and Indigenous organisations, The first round of grants attracted The next round of grants, offered of their assets. Ru ral financial counsellors also working to improve agricultural land applications from across Australia, in collaboration with the National This is a confidential, independent, provide referrals to professionals and water resource condition. addressing a range of natural resource Landcare Program, will open before mobile service with no cost to the for succession planning, family The grants aim to encourage management issues including the the end of 2018. client. mediation and personal, emotional agricultural industries to adopt the improvement of soil and vegetation For updates and more With 12 service providers across and social counselling. use of innovative tools, technologies conditions, pest control, climate change information on the Smart Farms Australia, the RFCS employs rural Visit: agriculture.gov.au/rfcs and land management practices to market traceability and management, Program, please visit the National financial counsellors who help or contact: 1800 686 175. help reduce pressures on Australia’s and adoption of new technologies. Landcare Program website nrm.gov.au. Landcare In Focus May 2018 ~ www.landcareaustralia.org.au Our farming future By Minister for Agriculture Landcare unites farmers fibre consumers want and markets from across all commodities increasingly demand. and Water Resources, David and regions. These programs include the Littleproud MP Australian farmers are among $450 million Regional Land the most productive and efficient Partnerships, as well as the $134 in the world. million Smart Farms program. IN MY short time as Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, I We also farm more sustainably The Smart Farms grants will have kicked the dirt with as many than just about any country on focus on protecting Australia’s of our farmers as possible. earth, and our clean green image natural resources of soils, water, What comes up day after day is is already paying off as it helps us vegetation and biodiversity farmers care about their produce send our food all over the planet. through more sustainable and they care about the land. In future decades, I predict our agricultural practices. I care about both of those clean green way of farming will pay We are going to build on the things too. off even more as markets all over experience of more than 30 years I have been passionate about the world open up and demand of Landcare to continue to Landcare for many years. clean, green Aussie produce. engage with local communities to For farming families, our land is The Coalition government is deliver national Landcare priorities our legacy. investing more than $1 billion on-the-ground. After all, the land is what in Landcare over five years to We want to be using we leave to our children and protect the natural resources that world’s-best practice to help our grandchildren. underpin the sustainability and farmers do what comes naturally I think all farming families want productivity of our agriculture, to them — caring for the land. to pass on land with healthy soils, fisheries and forestry. Landcare will continue to healthy air and clean water. This includes programs to deliver the results that have made The support Landcare gets from help our farmers to farm smarter, this movement such an iconic the farming community illustrates not harder, and deliver the part of many rural and regional this belief.