Change the game with climate-smart agriculture: Applications open for Victorian Fellowship

Applications are now open for the Farmers for Climate Action’s Victorian Climate-Smart Agriculture Fellowship.

Funded by the William Buckland Foundation, the fellowship will see a small group of Victorian farmers learn from leading researchers and industry experts on how to prosper in a low-carbon world.

Andrew Young, a vegetable grower from outside Mildura, completed the fellowship in 2019.

Mr Young said it was a rare chance to be surrounded by like-minded primary producers and that completing the fellowship had given him a heightened awareness of the climate risks and opportunities on his own property.

“The strength of the presenters was great, they were high calibre and professional,” he said.

“Often farmers are too close to climate change, because it impacts on our livelihoods, or families and our friends, so it can be hard to process the seriousness of the situation.

“It was useful to hear from other sectors, including insurers and the ACCC, to get a better appreciation of the forward thinking they are doing about climate risks.

“It gave me an understanding of the power and credibility farmers have within the broader community and how we could be stronger voices for climate action.”

Farmers for Climate Action is a movement of farmers, agricultural leaders and rural Australians working to ensure farmers are a key part of the solution to climate change.

It counts about 5000 farmers as supporters.

Farmers for Climate Action CEO Wendy Cohen said the Victorian Climate-Smart Agriculture Fellowship was a unique opportunity to get the most up-to-date information on the best ways to manage the risks posed by a changing climate.

The fellowship is free of charge to successful applicants and will be offered via a mix of online and in-person sessions, COVID-19 restrictions permitting.

Ms Cohen encouraged current and emerging leaders in the Victorian agricultural sector to apply.

“Farmers really are on the frontlines of climate change in Australia, dealing with an increased risk of droughts, floods and bushfires, all of which eat into the bottom line,” she said.

“The Victorian Climate-Smart Agriculture Fellowship teaches primary producers how to influence policy and opinion and help build industry resilience, now and well into the future.”

Contact Fiona Davis on ‭0434 505 188 or Lara Nicholson on 0431 050 768‬