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Climate-Smart Agriculture in North East Victoria

 

North East Victoria is proud of its strong and diverse farming community — from world‑class wineries and innovative dairy farms to premium beef, lamb and chestnut enterprises that lead the nation. 

Our region’s rich soils and water resources, close connection to Melbourne, and thriving agritourism sector make agriculture a cornerstone of the local economy and community life. 

But farming here is not without its challenges. 

Rising land values and input costs, more frequent and extreme weather, changing markets and consumer expectations, and global pressures are all increasing the level of risk facing farm businesses. Managing this uncertainty is now one of the most important parts of running a successful and resilient farm. 

Building resilience on farm doesn’t just support individual businesses — it strengthens families, communities and the long‑term future of agriculture across North East Victoria. 

Supporting farmers to adapt and thrive 

To help farmers meet these challenges, the North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has secured $1.534 million in Australian Government funding to deliver a four‑year Climate‑Smart Agriculture program across the region. 

The program focuses on: 

  • Building practical knowledge 

  • Supporting better on‑farm decision‑making 

  • Strengthening natural resources — soil, water and vegetation 

By improving how these assets are managed, the program helps farmers reduce risk, lift productivity and build resilience to a changing climate. 

Now at the halfway point, the program has already supported: 

  1. 12 locally led group projects 

  1. 28 landholder revegetation projects 

  1. A range of North East CMA‑led activities (outlined below). 

For further information please contact Sally Day on 0488 576 533 or sally.day@necma.vic.gov.au. 

 

1. Local group projects

Projects outline

The program has funded 12 group grants for local farming, industry and Landcare groups to run projects that are practical, locally relevant and farmer‑led. 

These projects support: 

  • On‑farm trials and demonstrations 

  • Practical training and workshops 

  • Soil testing and paddock mapping 

  • Installation of local weather stations and soil moisture probes 

A strong focus on peer‑to‑peer learning and locally led solutions to local challenges has been central to the success of these grants. 

The projects were awarded funding through an Expression of Interest process in March 2025 and include: 

Indigo extension - TAFCO online weather station network - Indigo Shire Council ($22,840)

The primary objective of this project is to extend the existing TAFCO Weather Station Network to include two additional weather station sites in the Indigo.

We aim to provide access to real time weather data and micro-forecasting to landholders, growers and primary producers in Kiewa/Gundowring district, a gap in the current network, and to Everton Upper which is a renowned wine grape production area and part of the Beechworth Wine Region.

This initiative is especially important given the topography of the Alpine/Indigo region and varying micro-climates that exist, supporting a diverse range of horticultural and agricultural production.

Indigo Shire Council Group Grant project has resulted in a new weather station at Stanley, which was launched in September 2025 (Photo: Sally McDonald)
 

Local landholders attended a field day at a property near Stanley, to learn how they can use the new weather station to make more accurate farm management decisions (Photo: Sally McDonald) 

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

The Mitta 2 Murray Network will run a soils program, which will look at building health soils and improving pasture resilience / management. We will engage landholders, with a modified digging deeper in soils program, that Soil Land Food present.  

 

Farmers attended a workshop at Fernvale Hall in February 2026, coordinated by the Mitta to Murray Landcare Network, with a focus on interpreting soil test results and practical management strategies (Photo Simon Feillafe) 
Farmers attended a workshop at Talgarno in February 2026, coordinated by the Mitta to Murray Landcare Network, with a focus on interpreting soil test results and practical management strategies (Photo Simon Feillafe) 

 

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

EnergyLink Services will partner with the Winemakers of Rutherglen (WoR) to deliver carbon neutral certification for each of the 16 participating WoR member wineries under the Australian Government’s Climate Active program.

This builds on the region’s strong existing commitment to sustainability, with the majority of members already accredited under the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) program. 

Integrated Soil and Climate Strategies for Managing Brown Rot in Chestnuts - Chestnuts Australia Inc ($40,000)

This project is designed to tackle a critical threat facing the Australian chestnut industry, especially in northeast Victoria, where approximately 70% of the country’s chestnuts are produced.

Productivity in this vital region is under growing threat due to the increasing prevalence of diseases such as brown nut rot. These diseases are closely tied to the complex interactions between soil health, weather, and orchard management practices.  

Working towards learning adaptive pathways to sustainable production and a resilient natural environment in a changing climate - Upper Murray Landcare Network (39,400)

The objectives of the project are to continue to support and encourage sustainable land management to address habitat and vegetation decline, soil health, vegetation management, communication and general integrated land management on each property.  

The project will be delivered across the Landcare Network area i.e. Burrowye, Walwa, Biggara, Thougla, Nariel, Towong, Cudgewa and Koetong. 

Identifying soil type changes and levels across the paddock using modern mapping techniques - Boorhaman and District Landcare Inc ($15,000)

This project would ask landholders to nominate paddocks to undertake EM surveys and at the time measuring elevation. Soil types and elevations vary enormously across the Boorhaman and district region and within paddocks.

Knowing exactly where the soil type zones exist is difficult to tell.  These different soils zones behave and react differently to fertilizer and soil ameliorants such as gypsum and lime and production potential.    

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

A significant proportion of the Wodonga Municipality and surrounding area is privately owned and is primary production land, playing an important role economically for the region.

However, intensive and long-term farming of the area has had detrimental impacts on vegetation, biodiversity, water quality, viability and profitability.  

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

The Vic No-Till Farmers Association will host 1 practical workshop and an online webinar showcasing the Soil HASH (Holistic Assessment of Soil Health) tool.

This practical tool will give you the skills to measure, assess and manage the biological, chemical and physical health of your soil using field skills and soil tests. We will explore the HASH approach, which is an easy way to manage your soil’s health. 

The Victorian No-Till Farmers Association held a soil health bootcamp at Lilliput in March 2026, which included demonstrations on making your own biofertilisers and bioferments (Photo: Amy Burgess) 
Farmers attending the soil health bootcamp, held by The Victorian No-Till Farmers Association in March 2026, learnt how to identify key soil constraints and link soil tests to management decisions (Photo: Amy Burgess) 

 

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

Greta Valley Landcare Group wishes to promote sustainable farming practices and enhance biodiversity across the Greta Valley through:

  • Establishing demonstration sites and conduct peer learning events for both livestock containment areas and the establishment of new drought tolerant perennial pasture species suitable in a changing climate
  • Offering a program of pre and post treatment soil tests, with landholders receiving tailored expert advice on options to improve soil health based on pre work soil tests. Recommended soil treatments will be administered by the landholder and followed up with post treatment soil testing and review. On site discussion/ information events would be held to share and build knowledge and understanding.
  • Undertaking peer learning / discussion events involving touring, inspecting and discussing multiple established sites with different attributes on each of the themes of successful Farm Dam Enhancement, shelter belts / wind breaks and safe and efficient livestock handling facilities (for both large and smaller operators).  
Improving farm dams in Edi Upper - support and demonstration - Edi Black Range Catchment Group ($10,000)

Edi Black Range Catchment Group has a strong interest in improving farm dams.

To encourage more of our members to make this change to their properties we will establish a demonstration site and host a designing workshop, plus a farm tour to observe the changes after a year of the dam being fenced and revegetated. 

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

A project of engagement and on-ground works aimed at improving biodiversity on farms.

A series of 4 information session/workshops and paddock walks to extend the knowledge of landholders around improving biodiversity on their properties especially shelterbelts, remnant vegetation and paddock trees.

Complementing the engagement, 4,000 plants (or approximately 3ha) of revegetation will be established through the project. 

Learning together as the next generation of farmers - Burgoigee Creek Landcare Inc ($30,000)

A project of engagement and on-ground works aimed at improving biodiversity on farms.

A series of 4 information session/workshops and paddock walks to extend the knowledge of landholders around improving biodiversity on their properties especially shelterbelts, remnant vegetation and paddock trees.

Complementing the engagement, 4,000 plants (or approximately 3ha) of revegetation will be established through the project. 

Update 17 June 2026

Next generation of farmers focus on soil health

Link here

Read more about the group projects here

Read more about the Group projects here.

2. Landholder revegetation projects

More about landholder revegetation projects here

Alongside group projects, 28 landholders are being supported to improve natural assets on their farms through establishing new on-farm vegetation. 

Together, these projects will establish 33,000 native trees and shrubs across 39 hectares, including planting for: 

  • Establishing new shelterbelts 

  • Protection of waterways 

  • Enhancing farm dams 

New fencing and troughs have been installed to exclude livestock from sensitive natural assets such as waterways and dams, and to protect planted revegetation. 

Project incentives cover: 

  • Supply of native plants and guards 

  • A co‑contribution towards fencing and trough infrastructure, site preparation and planting. 

Landholders lead the work on their own properties and are guided by CMA staff throughout the project with technical advice on site design and one-on-one support at key project stages such as site preparation and planting. Landholders have the responsibility for the long-term maintenance of their site for the next 10 years. 

Benefits on farm and beyond 

These revegetation projects deliver practical, long‑term benefits, including: 

  • More shade and shelter for livestock 

  • Improved water quality and reduced evaporation from farm dams 

  • Reduced erosion on slopes and waterways 

  • Healthier soils 

  • Increased beneficial insects and native wildlife 

  • Supporting biodiversity and maintaining healthy, working landscapes across the region.  

With thoughtful planning, project sites can be designed to achieve multiple production and biodiversity benefits for the farm and the broader landscape.

Read more about the Group Grants and Landholder Incentives.

Landholder revegetation projects are a great opportunity to create shade and shelter on farms that have none (Photo: Sally Day) 
Landholder revegetation projects are also improving the function of existing shelterbelts by increasing their width and the proportion of shrubs. (Photo: Sally Day) 
Protecting farm water supplies and establishing shade and shelter is another goal of the landholder revegetation projects. (Photo: Sally Day) 
Establishing paddock shade and shelter by protecting ephemeral waterways and small springs is another benefit of the landholder revegetation projects (Photo Sally Day). 
Creating new shelterbelts that incorporate old paddock trees helps to protect existing habitat in paddocks, and increases bird diversity on farms for insect control (Photo: Sally Day) 
Fencing seasonally wet areas helps to improve grazing management and animal health, and importantly provides the opportunity to establish shade and shelter for adjoining paddocks (Photo: Sally Day). 
Pictured are Keith and Sarah Harris, with one of two endangered Fan Grevillea (Grevillea ramosissima subsp. hypargyrea) plants located on an ephemeral waterway which will be protected under this program (Photo: Sally Day) 

 

Events
On-farm revegetation projects set to boost productivity and resilience

Trees and shrubs play a valuable role on farm – providing shade and shelter for livestock, protecting crops and pastures, improving water quality, and supporting beneficial insects. Well‑planned revegetation can also help stabilise soils and reduce erosion along waterways and on steep country.

Beyond production benefits, revegetation supports local biodiversity by providing habitat for native plants and animals across working agricultural landscapes.

The North East Catchment Management Authority (North East CMA) has recently supported 28 landholders to establish more than 33 thousand native trees and shrubs across 39 hectares of shelterbelts, waterways and farm dam surrounds throughout north‑east Victoria.

This support is funded through the Australian Government’s Climate-Smart Agriculture program, which aims to strengthen on‑farm natural resources—soil, water and vegetation—while helping farmers build resilience through improved decision‑making and management.

As part of the projects, livestock will be excluded from revegetation areas through the installation of new fencing and watering points. This allows plants time to establish while protecting sensitive waterways and farm dams and improving stock access to clean water.

Project incentives cover the cost of plants and guards, along with a co‑contribution towards fencing and water infrastructure. Landholders are responsible for site preparation, planting and ongoing management.

CMA staff are working closely with landholders to provide technical support and advice, as for many this is the first revegetation project they have completed on their farms. Once landholders have the skills and experience, the hope is that they will continue to build shade and shelter on their farms in the years to come.

Local beef producer Joe McKenzie is one farmer taking part in the project, implementing a revegetation project on his 200 hectare Angus property near Moyhu. The project includes a new native shelterbelt along a 700 metre section of steep creekline, linking up two previous eroding areas that had been fenced and revegetated over 10 years ago.

“We’ve seen great results on our steeply sloping country with planting, and we are committed to building our on-farm vegetation every year,” Mr McKenzie said.

“Fencing and planting this seasonal waterway will achieve our objectives of improving biodiversity, soil health and the water cycle and energy flow across the property, which are imperative to building a healthy ecosystem”

“Keeping cattle out of waterways and establishing native trees and shrubs has repaired long‑term erosion, reduced weeds, and boosted grass and cattle production outside the fence.”

North East CMA Senior Project Officer Sally Day has visited more than 90 landholders across the Ovens, King, Kiewa and Upper Murray catchments to assess potential sites and help design revegetation projects that fit individual farms.

“The recent hot summer and dry conditions have highlighted just how important shade, shelter and reliable, high‑quality on‑farm water supplies are,” Ms Day said.

“Revegetation projects and well‑designed livestock watering systems deliver clear benefits for farm productivity while also supporting long‑term environmental outcomes across our catchments.”

Local farmers and landholders interested in establishing similar projects are encouraged to subscribe to the North East CMA’s fortnightly newsletter for updates on upcoming projects, funding opportunities and events.

Ms Day will also be hosting an online webinar and field days during May 2026, covering site preparation, layout and practical considerations for on-farm revegetation. Visit www.necma.vic.gov.au for details.

Alternatively, if you would like support to design a project for your farm or revegetation advice for north-east Victoria, please contact Ms Day on 0488 576 533.

Additional resources and guides are available through:

Your local nursery can also provide advice on suitable plant species for your farm.
This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.

Picture Caption: North East CMA Senior Project Officer Sally Day and local landholder Joe McKenzie discussing site preparation at proposed Moyhu revegetation site. Photo: Ashley Rogers

3. North East CMA-led activities

Project outline

Throughout the life of the project, the North East CMA is delivering a range of supporting activities, including: 

  • Hands‑on workshops on planning and establishing revegetation across the landscape 

  • One‑on‑one support for landholders, from planning through to implementation 

  • Ongoing support for groups delivering their local projects 

  • Annual regional forums to build skills and understanding around:  

  • Climate risk and adaptation 

  • Industry sustainability frameworks 

  • Natural capital and emerging markets 

  • Videos, podcasts, case studies and fact sheets to share learnings from across the region 

  • Benchmarking community knowledge and attitudes to sustainable land management, with results shared at the end of the project 

Keen to learn more or take part? 

If you’re interested in building resilience on your farm or exploring climate-smart practices, sign up to the North East CMA fortnightly newsletter. 

It’s the best way to hear about new projects, grants and events happening across North East Victoria. 

Local agriculture, Landcare and community representatives make up the North East CMA’s Sustainable Landscapes Advisory Committee that provides feedback and ideas on project delivery (Photo: Michael Bretherton)