A PROGRAM to help small rural property owners apply best practice land management principles is coming to the North East.
An information session in Myrtleford on Sunday, July 24 will help introduce the Healthy Hectares North East program, and explain the topics to be explored in field days and workshops during the next 12 months.
Conservation and land management educator, Sue Brunskill will introduce key topics – property planning, soil, livestock, pest plants and animals, water and biodiversity – and give an overview of the program at the free information session, to be held at the Myrtleford RSL at 10am.
The Healthy Hectares North East program will explore the fundamental principles and knowledge of sustainable, best–practice land management through face–to–face field days, online workshops and a booklet designed to provide information relevant to North East Victoria.
It is a collaboration between the Ovens Landcare Network, Wodonga Urban Landcare Network, the Kiewa Catchment Landcare Groups, and the Mid Ovens Landcare Consortium, and is funded through the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.
Project officer David Thorpe said it adapts the Healthy Hectares program – previously developed by Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and Euroa Arboretum – to the North East region and delivers a series of field days for landholders.
He said a feature of the program would be the development of a whole farm plan for each of the participants' properties, with the help of professional guidance.
"This is a great opportunity for small rural property owners to learn the principles of best practice land management and get help from experts to apply them on their property,'' Mr Thorpe said.
"Participants will have the chance to work with experts and create a whole farm plan which helps them build that capacity of their property while fulfilling their dreams and aspirations.
"Workshops and field days will be held on small rural properties so it will be a great opportunity for people to network and see how others are managing their properties.
"By attending the information session landholders will get a good understanding of how the program works, what they will learn over the next 12 months and how they can apply that new knowledge."
To attend the information session go to https://www.trybooking.com/CACWF
For more information contact Mr Thorpe on 0400 740 791 or email healthyhectaresne@wodongalandcare.org.au.