Elsie Lange
The award-winning Healthy Landscapes Practical Regenerative Agricultural Communities program has been extended until 2024.
The program is a partnership between Macedon Ranges, Hepburn and Bendigo councils, Melbourne Water, a Healthy Coliban Catchment project and the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network, to support farmers and rural land managers with regenerative agricultural training and advice.
All organisations involved have committed financial and in-kind support to keep the program going for two more years.
Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson said council was pleased to continue to support rural landowners in a way that aids the environment and their enterprise.
“Providing ongoing education and advice is vital to seeing landholders implement land management practices that improve both the natural environment and agricultural productivity,” Cr Anderson said.
“The continuation of this program would not be possible without our partnership with the other shires and organisations.”
Romsey program participant James Edmonds said he had “changed everything” and appreciated what he’d learnt from the project.
“The results are real and immediate,” Mr Edmonds said.
A council statement said the aim of Healthy Landscapes project is to help rural landowners implement sustainable land management practices as well as regenerative grazing techniques to improve soil health, reduce climate exposure risks, reduce emissions, and enhance waterway health and biodiversity.
It was even recognised with a 2021 Premier’s Sustainability Award for its success in facilitating practice change by participants.
“In the last twelve months, the program has delivered popular grass identification workshops, a holistic grazing course, a small property management course and many other events and webinars to over 875 participants,” council said.
The program will continue to offer free individual on-farm advice, holistic grazing management course, a small property grazing management course, webinars, field days and discussion groups and a regular Healthy Landscapes newsletter.
Details and to subscribe: mrsc.vic.gov.au/Healthy-Landscapes.
