Sustainability grants available to support farmer groups

• Project funding of up to $20,000 to support farmer peer-to-peer learning
• Protecting Great Barrier Reef with three-year project
• Applications close October 27, 2023

The Queensland Government will provide project funding to support farmer groups in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment. Eligible farmer groups can now apply for funding of between $5,000 to $20,000 for projects that lead to sustainable farming practices and improved reef water quality.

Local farmer groups provide farmers the opportunity to discuss their experiences of how new practices and technologies worked for them. These groups are where farmers help each other to understand innovative technologies and solve the inevitable practical issues that pop up when trying something new.

As well as project funding, the three-year Integrated Engagement and Capacity Building project will support farmer peer-to-peer learning by providing information, resources, training and networking opportunities to farmer groups in the sugarcane, grazing, horticulture, bananas and grains industries operating within the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

Project funding will support activities that showcase the work of groups and facilitate communication, capacity building and involvement with other farmers.

Project applications close on Friday 27 October 2023. For copies of the funding guideline, project application form and further information email RP84Admin@daf.qld.gov.au .

The Integrated Engagement and Capacity Building project is funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality program and delivered by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).

To find out about other projects, innovations and techniques to improve practices on-farm in reef catchments, call DAF on 13 25 23 or visit www.qld.gov.au/FarminginReefCatchments

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner:

“Queensland’s agriculture sector has made incredible progress in protecting the Great Barrier Reef from the impacts of agricultural runoff,” Mr Furner said.

“These grants are to help farmers share what they have learned with their fellow farmers so that more sustainable practices become available and preferred by more Queensland farmers.

“Ultimately that will help to protect our farmers’ livelihoods, protect the Reef and protect good jobs in Queensland agriculture as well.”

ENDS

Media contact – Martin Philip 0407 675 008