Are you a Queensland grazier, farmer or ag industry professional who wants to know more about climate change and its impacts on agriculture, and what role you can play in helping our industry remain profitable and sustainable?
Do we have the program for you!
Applications are now open for our Queensland Resilient Regions Fellowship The program includes a two-week online learning program, and support to choose and develop a project to bring to our conference in the first half of next year (date to be confirmed).
Fellows will take part in the online learning program alongside participants from Victoria and Tasmania, with special dedicated sessions for Queensland-focussed research and expertise.
The fellowship is a unique opportunity to learn from experts in climate and agriculture, and other Queensland farmers leading the way on climate resilience.
Some of the topics Queensland fellows will learn more about include:
- Supporting their communities to manage the risks that Queensland’s rapidly changing climate presents, like more frequent and severe weather events, soil degradation and rising sea levels
- Research on Queensland-specific opportunities
Key themes of the fellowship include:
- Linking paddock-level solutions to the planet’s future
- Making better decisions with reflective, critical thinking
- Taking action behind and beyond the farm gate
- Horses for courses: there is no one-size-fits-all model
- Practical reality over rhetoric
Fellows will join a strong and supportive network of leading farmers across Australia, receive extensive training in key skills, and develop a platform to create lasting resilience in Queensland agriculture. The fellowship is free of charge to the successful applicants.
Photo credit: Angus Emmott Photography
Course Structure
Part 1:
Online learning modules are delivered via twice-weekly zoom catch ups and virtual presentations over the course of the month. Fellows will be required to complete 1-2 hours of pre-reading/viewing before each zoom catch up. Zoom catch ups will feature guest speakers and farm/innovation case studies, touching on local councils, community groups, energy projects, carbon sequestration projects etc. Learning resources will be available online, with conversation between fellows encouraged in established channels.
Part 2:
Fellows will be supported during the online learning program to develop a research project idea which works for them. From November onwards, each fellow will be matched with a mentor and will progress project ideas developed during the online modules.
The scope is almost limitless, providing it falls within the bounds of climate change and agriculture and that there can be an achievable outcome (or at least update) in the first half of next year. Ideas could include (but are not limited to):
- Developing a new farm management plan tailored to your region’s changed climate
- Forming a climate smart farmer network in your region
- Taking part in Land to Market’s Ecological Verification process to measure the ecosystem base line of your property
- Conducting a carbon audit on your property
- Researching what is happening overseas regarding a climate-related risk you’ve identified
- Trialling a new way to monitor and reduce heat stress in livestock
- Trialling a new crop variety better suited to your region’s conditions
Part 3:
In March 2021 (COVID permitting), the fellows will come together face to face to showcase their projects. There will be further sessions on advocacy, change management and leadership strengthening.
Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, and will be closed when all positions are filled.
To apply, please download and complete the application form below, and upload it with your details on this page. If you have any questions, please get in touch at [email protected] or 1800 491 633.
Applications Closed
Online learning program
Session 1 | Friday 16 Oct.
8.30 am – 1.30 pm
Climate Change & Agriculture: Big Picture to Back Paddock
Speakers include:
- Cam Nicholson (Nicon Rural Services)
- Mark Howden (ANU)
- Mark Wootton (Jigsaw Farms)
Session 2 | Monday 19 Oct.
9 – 11am
Gut, heart & head: how to make good decisions in a changing climate
Speakers include:
- Cam Nicholson (Nicon Rural Services)
- Richard Eckards (University of Melbourne)
Session 3 | Tuesday 20 Oct.
9 am – 1 pm
Carbon in the landscape
- Ben Keogh (Australian Carbon Traders)
Session 4 | Wednesday 21 Oct.
9 am – 1 pm
Regenerative agriculture: pathways & perspectives
Speakers include:
- Rebecca Gorman (Land to Market)
- Steven Hobbs (Kaniva farmer)
Session 5 | Thursday 22 Oct.
9 – 11.45 am
Navigating the New Energy Revolution
Speakers include:
- Karin Stark
- Ketan Joshi
Session 6 | Monday 26 Oct.
9 am – 1 pm
Creating hope from uncertainty
Speakers include:
- Dr Lauren Rickards (RMIT)
- Caroline Welsh (Birchip Cropping Group)
Session 7 | Tuesday 27 Oct.
10.30 -12 pm
You say you want a revolution? Change beyond the farm gate
Speakers include:
- Dr Rebecca Colvin (Australian National University)
- Lara Nicholson (Climate Media Centre)
Session 8 | Wednesday 28 Oct.
9 – 11 am
Getting your project off the ground
Speakers include:
- Cam Nicholson (Nicon Rural Services)
