The long-term resilience and growth of agricultural businesses in a changing climate relies on the adoption of sustainable farm practices. 

The Australian Government’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Program has recently provided funding to the North East CMA to help farmers adapt or transform their farming systems in response to the ongoing challenges of climate change.  

Farmers have long faced the twin pressures of climate variability and fluctuating commodity prices—both largely beyond their control. 

This funding will strengthen the capacity of farmers to make informed decisions that help them navigate the everyday risks they face.  

North East CMA chief executive officer, Katie Warner said 21 applications worth almost $700,000 were received, showing the strong demand for on-farm demonstrations, field days and training in sustainable agriculture. 

“With the compounding impacts of bushfires, floods and dry conditions on local farm businesses over the last 6 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” 

$330,000 has been allocated to support 12 projects across the region, each addressing 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.  

With less margin for error in farm management due to climate pressures and volatile markets, these grants will help increase the adoption of sustainable and innovative farming practices and highlight some of the most promising strategies for future success. 

The following 12 projects were successful and will be implemented over the next 2.5 years: 

1. Indigo Extension - TAFCO Online Weather Station Network, Indigo Shire Council ($22,840)  

2. Mitta 2 Murray Landcare Network Digs Deeper into Soils and Pasture, Mitta to Murray Landcare Inc ($40,000) 

3. Climate-Smart Vineyard Soils: A Rutherglen Pilot for Low-Input, High-Resilience Winegrowing, Winemakers of Rutherglen ($40,000) 

4. Integrated Soil and Climate Strategies for Managing Brown Rot in Chestnuts, Chestnuts Australia Inc ($40,000)   
5. Working towards learning adaptive pathways to sustainable production and a resilient natural environment in a changing climate, Upper Murray Landcare Network ($39,400) 
6. Identifying soil type changes and levels across the paddock using modern mapping techniques, Boorhaman Landcare and District Group Inc ($15,000) 

7. Growing Together: Leneva Castle Creek Biodiversity Workshop Series, Wodonga Urban Landcare Network ($30,000) 

8. Demystifying Soil Health, Victorian No Till Farmers Association ($10,000) 

9. Building climate resilient agriculture and sustainable farming practices in the Greta Valley, Greta Valley Landcare Group Inc ($34,000) 

10. Improving farm dams in Edi Upper - support and demonstration, Edi Black Range Catchment Group ($10,000) 

11. Shelterbelts: benefits for biodiversity and livestock, Benambra Dinner Plain Omeo Landcare Group ($19,905) 

12. Learning together as the Next Generation of farmers, Burgoigee Creek Landcare Group Inc ($30,000). 

This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.