Smart Farm grants have been awarded to projects in the New England to help farmers adopt sustainable and innovative land and natural resource management practices.
Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the funding was provided through Round 2 of the Smart Farms Small Grants program to reward innovative proposals that improve farming practices and boost productivity.
The Soils in the Spotlight Project, hosted by the Glen Innes Natural Resources Advisory Committee Inc (Glenrac), received $109,021 in funding and aims to increase the knowledge and capacity of landholders in the Glen Innes district to adopt and implement improved soil management practices.
“These grants are about encouraging Aussie farmers to adopt tools and practices that lead to a more sustainable and profitable agricultural sector,” Mr Joyce said.
“Almost $9.25 million in grants have been awarded to 110 projects across the country.
“I am particularly proud of the successful project put forward by Glenrac which will go towards helping farmers right across the country.”
The Soils in the Spotlight Project will draw on analysis of soil data from previous soil testing projects and use this to identify trends and highlight issues. This will be used to produce a publication which will be distributed widely. Following various other engagements including evaluation of new soil practices, a field day event will be held providing knowledge and awareness to at least 60 landholders.
Recently Glenrac was also approved for $90,737 to implement the New England Local Landcare Leaders program under the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund. It was also funded for nearly $20,000 under the Tackling Tough Times Together grants program to deliver drought management and recovery workshops for the local community. Last year, it was successful in funding for its program, Ferals in Focus—Glen Innes, which provided information on the control of vertebrate pests.
Applications for round two of the Smart Farms Small Grants opened in November last year and attracted more than 638 grant applications from across the country.
Smart Farms is part of the Part of the $1.1 billion second phase of the National Landcare Program. For more information on the Smart Farms program visit: agriculture.gov.au
(ENDS)