Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator (SAF)

Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator (SAF)

The Australian Government has invested $40.7 million in a national network of Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, funded through the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT).

The facilitators will connect farmers, landholders, community groups and agriculture industries to relevant information and programs on climate-smart, sustainable agriculture practices; facilitate partnerships and connections; and support the delivery of sustainable agriculture projects in their region. This investment builds on the valuable work of the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator network funded through the previous phase of the NHT.

The North East CMA Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator is Lachlan Campbell who builds on extensive experience from his previous Sustainable Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF) role:

Lachlan Campbell - North East CMA SAF
Phone:    02 6043 7672 or 0400 852 482
Email:     lachlan.campbell@necma.vic.gov.au

SAF services

1. Engage and inform farmers, landholders, community groups, and agriculture industries within their NRM region about climate-smart, sustainable agriculture practices to help achieve climate-smart sustainable agriculture outcomes. Including best practice natural resource management, biodiversity and carbon markets, and practices that support emission reductions and build climate resilience on-farm.
   
   This may include:
   • sharing relevant government information, policies, programs, and tools.
   • advising of upcoming funding opportunities.
   • sharing relevant training opportunities.
2. Facilitate partnerships and connections that will assist farmers, landholders, community groups and agriculture industries to work together to achieve sustainable agriculture outcomes.
   
   This may include connections with:
   • other farmers, landholders, community groups or areas of industry (for example where there are areas of alignment, common issues, or solutions that would provide mutual or co-benefits).
   • extension officers, including Regional Soil Coordinators, Adoption Officers in the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs, and advisors under the Carbon Farming Outreach Program.
3. Support the delivery of sustainable agriculture projects in their NRM region.
   
   This may include:
   • Assisting with events, communication activities and communities of practice.
   • Connecting stakeholders.
   • Engaging with First Nations peoples and organisations.

SAFs support the following three Climate-Smart Agriculture Program outcomes:

• The agriculture sector is adopting practices to reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change.
• The agriculture sector is supported to harness carbon and biodiversity incentives and implement industry sustainability frameworks.
• Farmers are supported to drive agricultural growth, while adopting sustainable natural resource management practices that protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity.