Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said he encourages farmers, fishers and foresters with clever, sustainable agriculture ideas to apply for grants of $5000 up to $50,000 under Round 4 of the Smart Farms Small Grants program.
“Our farmers are highly adaptive and agriculture would not be the incredible industry it is today without them continually pushing the barriers,” Mr Ramsey.
“Agricultural has become one of the great protectors of the environment as each year farmers seek to simultaneously build soil fertility, improve water infiltration, lift production and reduce erosion,” he said. “This multi-faceted approach is not only delivering benefits for the environment it is also underwriting our rural communities, driving our ag industry and economy. This newest round of support will help bring innovation to the market and deliver industry change.”
“Agriculture has a bright future and the Smart Farms Small Grants is one way our Government is encouraging the uptake of new knowledge and skills and increasing the capacity of farming, forestry and fishing communities to adopt best practice sustainable agriculture systems.
“As agricultural has evolved in Australia, so too has farmers understanding of healthy and sustainable farming systems and these grants have the potential to drive new innovative technologies to higher levels and so I encourage them to apply for this latest round.”
Projects funded under earlier rounds included new soil acidity management techniques; virtual fencing to protect riparian habitat; improved orchard pollination and bee health using drone technology, as well as mentoring activities connecting farmers and students.
Up to $6.5 million will be provided under Round 4 of Smart Farms Small Grants, with funding of between $5,000 and $50,000 available
Smart Farms Small Grants is a sustainable agriculture element of the National Landcare Program (NLP).
The Australian Government is investing more than $1 billion towards the second phase of the NLP from 2018-2023.
For more information and to apply, visit the Community Grants Hub https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants
Applications open 21 August 2020 and close 11pm AEDT on 9 October 2020.
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 86331744 August 25, 2020
