Smart farming investment to yield positives on Eyre Peninsula

Smart farming investment to yield positives on Eyre Peninsula

• Farmers on Eyre Peninsula will benefit from the third round of the Smart Farms Small Grants program
• 113 projects nationally will share in over $5 million funding
• Smart Farms Small Grants fund organisations and individuals to undertake sustainable agriculture projects

Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey has welcomed  the Federal Government investment of more than $5 million – including eleven projects in Grey and two on Eyre Peninsula.

“These projects are aimed at helping equip farmers with new skills and knowledge to improve sustainability and their bottom line,” he said.

“Australian agriculture is something I am very proud of and Australia’s farmers have shown themselves to be among the most innovative in the world.

“They have always looked after the land and every year Australian farmers are caring for the land in a better manner and we are giving them a helping hand through this grant program to adopt best practice natural resource management methods.

“These are projects happening throughout the country and are about improving the resilience and productive capacity of farms.”

On Eyre Peninsula funding has been secured for –

• Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board with funding of $50,000 to overcome the rising degradation of Mallee seeps.
• South Australian No-Tillage Farmers Association Incorporated will receive $22,500 to demonstrate a new best practice tool for reducing the risk of a catastrophic fire in sustainable farming systems.

Mr Ramsey said our farmers have always been early adopters of new technologies.

“These recently funded projects show the determination of many in the electorate to continue that tradition,” he said.

Grants have been given to farming and landcare groups for projects related to sustainable farming education, pest management, improving soil health, agroforestry and more.

For more information on the Smart Farms Small Grants program visit: agriculture.gov.au

• Smart Farms Small Grants is a $43.5 million grants program (six annual rounds)
• Round 1 funded 77 projects for a total of $4.75 million. These are expected to be completed by April 2020
• Round 2 funded 110 projects for a total of $9.25 million. These are expected to be completed by September 2021
• Round 3 projects must be completed by 30 June 2022

Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 0417827523

May 22, 2020

Smart Farms Small Grants is part of the Federal Government’s Smart Farms program – a key initiative of phase two of the National Landcare program