MORE than $330,000 in federal funding will help support 12 projects across the North East addressing key challenges for farming communities.
North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) chief executive officer, Katie Warner, said funding through the Australian government’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Program will help farmers adapt or transform farming systems in response to the ongoing challenges of climate change.
Ms Warner said NECMA had received 21 applications worth almost $700,000, with 12 projects approved to share in $330,000 of grants available.
“With the compounding impacts of bushfires, floods and dry conditions on local farm businesses over the last six years, on top of increasing consumer demand for products with lower environmental impacts, interest in practices that improve farm resilience and increase access to market premiums is high,” she said.
Ms Warner said each of projects help tackle key challenges for farming communities, such as improving soil health, enhancing on-farm biodiversity, shade and shelter, and building resilience of pasture and animal management systems.
Latest Stories
The 12 successful projects to be implemented over the next 2.5 years include:
• Indigo Extension - TAFCO Online Weather Station Network, Indigo Shire Council ($22,840);
• Learning together as the Next Generation of farmers, Burgoigee Creek Landcare Group Inc ($30,000);
• Integrated Soil and Climate Strategies for managing brown rot in Chestnuts, Chestnuts Australia Inc ($40,000); and
• Shelterbelts: benefits for biodiversity and livestock, Benambra Dinner Plain Omeo Landcare Group ($19,905).
