Dear <<First Name>>,
Welcome to 2023! We hope everyone is having a good summer now it has well and truly arrived. The change in seasons is a good reminder of a few things everyone, no matter if you are a farmer, lifestyler, or live in town should consider:
- Water for wildlife (and pets/livestock) - make sure you check water sources regularly and provide small, shallow dishes around your home for birds, reptiles, mammals, and insects to safely use.
- Water for plants - consider the water use of your garden, and if you have planted any revegetation over the past year, you may need to do some watering over particularly hot and dry periods.
- Fire - after two wet years grass fires are a high risk. Download the VicEmergency app and manage the fuel load on your property.
As always, please reach out to your local facilitators if you need any support or have any questions:
Penny Raleigh, 0427 613 970 or landcare.penny@gmail.com
Kerrie Warburton, 0418 427 730 or landcare.kerrie@gmail.com
Jim Blackney, 0459 622 260 or facilitatormolc@gmail.com
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Friday 24 March (all day)
Saturday 25 March (morning bus trip)
George Kerferd Hotel, Beechworth
The Forum will provide a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge and experience from around the State, to meet others directly involved in landcare and to see first-hand the achievements of landcare in the North-East.
An exciting program is currently being finalised, and registrations will open soon - but for now, please pop this date in your diary and keep an eye out for further information!
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Exploring Soil Acidity Workshop
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Friday 27 January | 10am to 2pm
Kergunyah Hall
Kiewa Catchment Landcare Group and Agroecologist David Hardwick of Soil Land Food invite you to their hands-on workshop. It will cover:
- soil acidity - what it is and why it is important
- measuring and managing soil pH
- exploring your options
Please bring along a 30cm cube of soil from your place so it can be analysed during the session.
This is a free event with morning tea and lunch provided.
For further information, contact KCLG Project Officer Charles Daaboul on projects@kclg.org.au or on 0493 268 085.
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Friday 3rd February | 5- 8pm
Memorial Hall - Rutherglen
This Flood Recovery Expo, provided by Indigo Shire, will be a relaxed evening where industry partners and the agriculture community can come together to share information and support following what has been a difficult few months with floods.
The evening will be highlighted by guest speaker, Mary O'Brien from Are You Bogged Mate? Mary has a unique insight into what makes country blokes tick and through the analogy of ‘getting bogged’, she is extending a hand to all rural men. Mary aims to reduce rural male suicide by breaking down the stigma, making blokes feel understood, and by providing women with insights into how blokes communicate.
The Expo commences at 5pm with a light meal, information stalls, industry partner representatives, and networking opportunities. Guest speaker from 6.30pm.
This is a free event but bookings are essential.
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Recruiting new volunteers and inspiring young people to volunteer
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Tuesday 7 February | 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Online Webinar
Tickets are free for members and volunteers from Landcare Victoria Member Groups or $10 for non-members
Spaces are limited, so please register as soon as possible.
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Better Beef Tour: Climate Adaptation and Resilience
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Sunday 26 February | 8.30pm to 1pm
Meet bus at Everton Public Hall
Join Hodgson & Horseshoe Creeks Landcare Group for a farm tour and discussion with Stellar Livestock's principal Julian Carroll. Julian will talk on how he has built resilience in his beef enterprise, discussing topics such as:
- Preparation for the next drought
- Herd health
- Pasture improvement
- and other resilience measures
Bus departs 8.30am sharp, BYO lunch or purchase in Myrtleford. This is a free event and RSVPs are essential. Email hhclc.secretary@gmail.com by February 1st.
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Tuesday 28th February | 9.30am - 4.30pm
George Kerferd Hotel, Beechworth
Tickets $20
This conference aims to support land managers and agriculture industry staff in building their knowledge and understanding of carbon farming systems. Soil carbon can be confusing, and there are many options to engage in carbon markets some of which are still evolving. Therefore, there is a need to promote awareness of what carbon farming is about, the opportunities available and processes required, the issues and pitfalls, and generally the keys to a successful carbon farming program.
Find out more and purchase your tickets here: events.humanitix.com/farming-carbon
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Healthy Land, Healthy Horses Workshop
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Sunday 26th March I 9.30 am to 3pm
GOTAFE Wangaratta, 218 Tone Rd
$10 for Landcare members $20 for others
Morning tea and lunch provided
Internationally acclaimed author and expert on horse property management, Stuart Myers will deliver a workshop aimed at horse owners that either own land, lease land, or keep their horse/s on
agistment (so that’s everyone who owns or manages a horse!).
Learn how to make small or large changes in horse and land management that improve the ‘lifestyle’ of horses and people and at the same time benefit the environment. A true win-win-win situation.
Purchase your tickets here.
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Junior Landcare Grants open again soon
Applications for the Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants will be opening again early this year.
Need project ideas? Check out our Top Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant Project Ideas to help get you started or to enhance existing projects that you may already have at your school or early learning centre.
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Check your eligibility for flood recovery finance and loans
Did you know impacted primary producers and rural landholders from the majority of Victorian council areas can apply for flood recovery grants and concessional loans?
Find links to grant guidelines and application forms via tinyurl.com/yubvrut3
Plus, for information and resources to help primary producers and rural landholders on the ground please visit go.vic.gov.au/3ANZ225
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NAB Foundation Community Grants
Applications close on 28 February 2023
The NAB Foundation is currently seeking applications for Community Grants. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for projects that help communities prepare for natural disasters, support long-term recovery and build resilience to future disasters and climate change.
Prioritised funding areas include:
- Future-proofing natural environments
- Future-proofing wildlife
Learn more about how to apply for a grant in the application guide, or submit your application today.
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Strengthening Rural Communities | FRRR
Applications close 5pm Wednesday 1st of March 2023
The Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal is offering three funding streams through the Strengthening Rural Communities program. Please click through to view the objectives of each stream and eligibility requirements:
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Small Environmental Grant Scheme | Norman Wettenhall Environment Trust
Expressions of Interest open regularly
Providing support for people undertaking projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, in land, sea or air, rural or urban. The Norman Wettenhall Environment Trust supports grassroots organisations and individuals, and academics who are working with on-ground community groups. The expression of interest process opens regularly throughout the year. For more information click here.
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Property Management Plans
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Future Ready Farms
Limited to the first 10 applications from members of each Landcare group in the Ovens Landcare Network catchment
The Ovens Landcare Network is please to offer Landcare members the opportunity to work with a professional to develop a property management plan.
This includes an online meeting to develop a map of your property, and you will receive a laminated print-out of the map and a digital copy. Submit you expression of interest here.
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On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot - Sheep
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Online EOIs must be completed by midnight on 31 January 2023
Are you a sheep or wool farmer interested in becoming one of a select number of participants for round three of the On-Farm Emissions Action Plan Pilot?
If so, email actionplanpilot@agriculture.vic.gov.au to receive a summary document that describes the requirements of the Pilot program and a link to the online application form.
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Public feedback sought for National Feral Deer Action Plan
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Consultation closes Monday 20 March 2023
The National Feral Deer Action Plan is being developed by the National Feral Deer Action Plan Working Group and focuses on supporting farmers, communities, organisations, Traditional Owners, and government agencies to stop the spread and reduce impacts of feral deer. Visit the plan online to have your say.
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Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool
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After consultations with users in farming regions across Australia, the Future Drought Fund’s Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool (DR.SAT) now has new and improved functionality!
DR.SAT supports farmers with information tailored for their circumstances to continue to improve their drought and climate resilience.
The tool helps Australian farmers understand what future climate conditions might look like, how they could impact production, and what can be done to prepare for a changing climate.
Assess your farm’s resilience
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Recommended Reading: Essential Bushfire Safety Tips
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- by Joan Webster OAM
If you live in rural Australia this guide is highly recommended and provides detailed information and tips on Bushfire safety and preparedness. Just some of the topics covered include:
- Understanding bushfire
- The survival factors
- How bushfire destroys houses
- A protective property layout
- Planning ahead and many other detailed chapters
The guide is available from a range of retailers online and at most local bookstores.
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Controlling Queensland fruit fly in home gardens
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Queensland fruit fly (QFF) is a serious pest for both home gardeners and commercial growers. This pest attacks a wide range of fruits and fruiting vegetables, leaving them inedible. Follow this link to find information from Agriculture Victoria to help you manage QFF on your property.
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