Five-year program to build farm resilience

MORE than one hundred people gathered at La Trobe University Bendigo last weekend for the official launch of the Biolinks Alliance Nature on Farms initiative.

The project aims to support farmers in Central Victoria.

“We had nine expert speakers from top universities and farming institutes across Australia,” said Biolinks Alliance communications officer Sarah Thomson.

“They presented on topics ranging from farm dam enhancement, grazing for healthy pastures, water management and soil health, to building natural capital on farms.”

Guest speaker Dr Anika Molesworth made a case for social resilience, hope, and the essential role of farmers in tackling the challenges climate change brings for the future of farming and food security.

“As soon as I heard Nature on Farms, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of,” Dr Molesworth said.

A tour of Bear and Twigg farm in Loddon Vale demonstrated holistic farm management concepts in action.

“Farmers Jo and Greg Bear presented an inspiring vision of how farming and environmental protection can intersect and offer mutual benefits,” said Thomson.

“After noticing lambing success rates were significantly higher in areas of native tussock grassland compared to the traditional lawn-style grazing pastures, the Bears took an increased interest in the principles of holistic management.

“By managing the grazing schedule on their native grassland, they also provide habitat for the critically endangered Plains-wanderer, which lives in open grassy plains away from trees and tall shrubs.

“In grazing their sheep on native vegetation, the Bears demonstrate the win-win of a nature-integrated approach: healthier sheep and lambs and preserving crucial habitat for an endangered species.”

The Bears are pleased with the ongoing results of their holistic approach.

“When I’m out on the plains, I just have such a lovely feeling,” said Greg Bear.

“In the morning, when the webs stretch over the grass and the colours are reflecting off it – it’s just beautiful.”

Nature on Farms is led by the Central Victorian not-for-profit through funding from the federal government’s Future Drought Fund.

It supports farmers across a broad region of Central Victoria to build resilience for a changing climate by holistically enhancing the health of their farm landscape.

“Pioneering demonstration farms from Stawell to St Arnaud, Heathcote to Nagambie, showcase proven farm management practices helping to buffer against extremes of weather and unpredictable conditions, while enhancing biodiversity and providing essential habitat,” said Thomson.

“The program will run over the next five years.

“It will have a core focus on community awareness and demonstration events connecting farmers in and sharing knowledge about building on-farm resilience through improving landscape health and biodiversity.”