GYMAC Landcare Co-ordinator Annabelle Gleeson, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, GWYMAC Landcare CEO Lee Thompson celebrate funding for regenerative agriculture.
Tuesday, 25 August 2020
FARMERS from around Inverell will use a number of workshops to ‘bore down’ on the basics of regenerative agriculture as part of an effort by GWYMAC Landcare to build a community of landholders willing to use the practice to boost the region’s resilience to climate change.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announced a $24,800 State Government grant for four workshops, which will cover the principles, practices and benefits of adopting regenerative agriculture.
“There are very few industries in this country which are forced to experiment and adopt new ways of operating due to the changing climate, as our agriculture sector,” Mr Marshall said
“Looking for ways to build resilience and offset the damaging impact drought and bushfires have had on Inverell’s productive landscape, some landholders have already started to explore new grazing practices, crop rotations and tilling methods to improve soil health and water retention.
“This project will target graziers, including mix cropping producers, who have had different levels of experience in regenerative agriculture, bringing them together to establish a regenerative agriculture community, which can learn and work together towards a similar outcome.”
GWYMAC Landcare CEO Lee Thompson said the four workshops would demonstrate evidence on the principles, practices and techniques for transitioning to regenerative agriculture.
“The popularity of our recent pilot workshops have shown the demand for information and assistance in transitioning to regenerative practices is rapidly increasing,” Ms Thompson said.
“Of our 300 members, GWYMAC hopes to connect to more than 200 farmers and other interested parties through this project, with the long term goal of establishing a community of practice within our community, which will keep landholders engaged with these practices beyond the life of the project.
“Importantly, GWYMAC will be engaging with local experts and landholders to deliver these workshops.
“These people are well known in the community, they are experienced and have the respect of their colleagues which we think will help to encourage other farmers to attend and start on the regenerative journey.”