Louisa Vale

Can you tell us about your property?

I am a second-generation farmer and have been on the property for over 40 years. Currently, it is me and my mother who work on-farm.  We always focus on more holistic land management practices over intensive factory agriculture.

What first got you thinking about climate change?

Experiencing drought and caring for animal welfare during those droughts.

Has climate change impacted your farm business?

We have had to manage the shifting of seasons on the calendar, as well as more extreme weather events. This particularly includes extreme weather events in the winter months, such as storms and a colder, dryer climate.

What are some of the climate-smart strategies you’ve been employing and how successful have they been?

We have focused on better water management, as well as revegetation and habitat building in microclimates.  These strategies have been particularly successful. We also focus on less intensive chemical use.

Do you use renewable energy on your farm?  What are the benefits?

We have a small part of solar on the property but that is all.

If you could send a message about climate change to the Federal Government (in 50 words or less) what would it be?

Actual farmers practicing on the ground completely accept that climate change is real and that emergency action must happen.  We are no longer the lobby group that is denying climate change.