Are you a Tasmanian grazier, mixed 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 Tasmanian Climate-Smart Agriculture 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 Queensland, with special dedicated sessions for Tasmanian-focussed research and expertise. Supported by the Tasmanian Government’s Pastures Pathway Small Project Fund, the fellowship is in its first year in Tasmania, but has already trained 40 producers across Victoria.
The fellowship is a unique opportunity to learn from experts in climate and agriculture, and other Tasmanian graziers leading the way on climate resilience.
Some of the topics Tasmanian fellows will learn more about include:
- Future region-specific climate modelling
- Complexities of the carbon cycle at both a farm and a global scale
- Introducing or increasing the productivity of perennial pastures and on-farm emissions abatement
- The potential for participation in carbon farming (soil-focused).
They’ll 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 Tasmanian agriculture. The fellowship is free of charge to the successful applicants.
The first round of the fellowship online learning was held in October 2020. Applications are now open to be a part of the second round of online learning, dates to be confirmed.
Photo credit: Brett Hall
Course Structure
Part 1:
Online learning program from 16 to 28 October, facilitated by agri-environmental specialist Corey Watts. Sessions will feature guest speakers and farm/innovation case studies, touching on energy projects, carbon sequestration projects etc. Learning resources will be available online, with conversation between fellows encouraged in established channels.
Note: The first round of online learning has passed. A second round of the fellowship will commence at a date to be determined. If you are interested in being involved, please apply.
Part 2:
From October onwards, each fellow will be matched with a mentor and will progress project ideas developed during the online modules.
Key themes of the Tasmanian and fellowship program include aligning production with climate change mitigation and adaptation; paddock to plate/planet and action behind and beyond the farm gate. Fellows are strongly encouraged and actively supported to develop projects that address these broad themes. For the Tasmanian fellowship, fellows will focus on pastures and grazing systems in the context of a changing climate. They will also be expected to address principles of effective extension.
Beyond this, the scope of potential projects is almost limitless, as long as it both ambitious and yields achievable outcomes by mid-2021. Potential projects could include:
- Developing a new grazing management plan tailored to a changing climate
- Forming a local climate-smart producer network
- Taking stock of pasture condition, soil carbon, and the emissions from production
- Researching and reporting on relevant global, national or regional climate-/carbon-related developments
- Partnering with researchers to trial new approaches to pasture/grazing management
- And much more!
Part 3:
In the first half of 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.
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.
Apply
