Friday, 23 April 2021. From investment in renewables to adopting new plant varieties, there are many ways Sunraysia farming communities can adapt and prosper in a changing climate.
These solutions, and more, will be in focus at the Sunraysia Climate Smart Horticulture Forum, hosted by Farmers for Climate Action, at Mildura Rural City Council's Benetook Room on Wednesday, 5 May 2021.
Attendees will hear from Jeremy Giddings (Agriculture Victoria), Andrew Young (Wemen vegetable grower), Cam Klose (Farmers for Climate Action) and Dr Anne Webster MP (Federal Member for Mallee).
Farmers for Climate Action Acting CEO Fiona Davis said: "This is your chance to hear the latest in adaptation plans for Sunraysia horticulture, to find out about grants for on-farm renewables and to discover what local farmers are already doing to adapt to, and mitigate, climate change."
Dr Davis said a really important part of the program was "bringing the community together to work on next steps on their farms and in the region more broadly".
"That's why we've asked experienced community facilitator Denis Ginnivan to lead our afternoon round-table discussions."
Wemen vegetable grower Andrew Young, whose family has farmed in the region since 1950, will share his experiences embarking on establishing the carbon footprint for his vegetable growing business.
"As a business, we're very concerned about the lack of action on climate change from the Federal Government. We want to understand where our business is going to be in the future and where we fit into this new world, so that's why we've taken this step," Mr Young said.
The forum kicks off Farmers for Climate Action's Victorian Climate-Smart Agriculture Roadshow, which will travel to Castlemaine, Colac, Bairnsdale and Dookie over the next two months.
Bookings are essential and can be made at www.farmersforclimateaction.org.au
