Farmers in Victoria now have access to free training that will help them reduce emissions and improve farm productivity through the state's new Carbon Farming Outreach Program. Over the next two years, the program will host more than 130 events aimed at promoting low-emission farming practices.
This initiative, which is supported by a $4.37 million investment, is a collaboration between Agriculture Victoria, Melbourne Water, Landcare Victoria, and the state’s Catchment Management Authorities. The program is set to launch this month, with one of the first events being the Wimmera CMA’s "Chicks in the Sticks" event in Moyston on October 23. The event will feature expert speakers sharing their knowledge on practical carbon farming techniques.
The program also includes grants for landowners in the North Central CMA region to support tree planting projects on private land. These efforts help farmers diversify their income and contribute to environmental benefits such as erosion control, shade, and timber production.
With an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, the state is also investing $20 million through the Agriculture Sector Pledge to support sustainable farming practices. This initiative aims to make carbon farming more accessible and beneficial for farmers, helping to build a more sustainable agricultural industry for the future.
For more information or to register for carbon farming training, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather.