ACT region Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator (SAF)
Summary and background
A national network of Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators (SAFs) is funded through the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
The two ACT SAFs sit within the ACT National Resource Management (ACT NRM) Sustainable Agriculture team. They
- connect farmers, landholders, community groups and agriculture industries to information and programs on climate-smart, sustainable agriculture practices
- facilitate partnerships and connections
- support the delivery of sustainable agriculture projects in their region.
Project goals and details
- Engage and inform farmers, landholders, community groups, and agriculture industries within their NRM region about climate-smart practices to help achieve sustainable agriculture outcomes such as best practice natural resource management, biodiversity and carbon markets, and practices that support emission reductions and build climate resilience on-farm. This includes:
- sharing relevant government information, policies, programs, and tools.
- advising of upcoming funding opportunities.
- sharing relevant training opportunities.
- Facilitate partnerships and connections that will assist farmers, landholders, community groups and agriculture industries to work together to achieve sustainable agriculture outcomes. This includes connections with:
- other farmers, landholders, community groups or areas of industry (for example where there are areas of alignment, common issues, or solutions that would provide mutual or co-benefits)
- extension officers, including Regional Soil Coordinators, Adoption Officers in the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs, and advisors under the Carbon Farming Outreach Program
- grantees funded under the Natural Heritage Trust.
- Support the delivery of sustainable agriculture projects in their NRM region. This includes:
- assisting with events, communication activities and communities of practice
- connecting stakeholders
- engaging with First Nations peoples and organisations.
SAFs support these Climate-Smart Agriculture Program outcomes:
- The agriculture sector is adopting practices to reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change.
- The agriculture sector is supported to harness carbon and biodiversity incentives and implement industry sustainability frameworks.
- Farmers are supported to drive agricultural growth, while adopting sustainable natural resource management practices that protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity.
Project partners and funding information
The ACT NRM Sustainable Agriculture Program is made possible with support from the:
- Australian Government's National Landcare Program
- Established Pest Animals and Weeds Management Pipeline Program
- ACT Government.
This investment builds on the valuable work of the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF) network funded through the previous phase of the NHT.
ACT Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators
Jeni has a long history of working in the agriculture sector engaging with various Governments, community members, many stakeholders and rural landholders across the ACT and NSW regional areas in the delivery of large-scale landscape programs that support regenerative farming ecosystems.
The role of ACT Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator brings together her skills and interest in assisting farmers to link in with the latest science, research, grant funding and best practice to help them with their enterprise, health and wellbeing.
Before joining the ACTNRM Sustainable Agriculture team in 2019, Jeni worked with Greening Australia ACT for two decades as a senior project manager, native nursery and seed bank manager and was also lucky to manage the community volunteer program.
Mary, a fourth-generation NSW Southern Tablelands farmer, brings a wealth of experience to her role as Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator. Managing her own small farm, she combines practical knowledge with her academic background in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Management and 15 years of professional experience working in natural resource management, including Landcare and private land conservation. Mary is passionate about sustainable farming practices and supporting regional communities.
Contact
Jenilee Cumberland:
Phone 0407 321 784 or email jenilee.cumberland@act.gov.au
Mary Bonet:
Phone 0459 352 892 or email mary.bonet@act.gov.au