Regenerative agriculture grants now open for Eyre Peninsula farmers

4 November 2020

The grants provide up to $9,000 for farmers to establish a demonstration site on their own farm or for farming systems groups to set up trials on farms within the region.

Aimed at improving soil health and sustainability, the regenerative agriculture grants are available for a range of activities that will reduce soil erosion, increase soil biodiversity and soil health across a range of soil types, in large ‘farmer scale’ demonstrations.

Funding is available for up to six demonstration sites in two funding streams.

The ‘mixed species crops and pastures’ stream focuses on plant-based options that will improve soil health using mixed species crops or pastures and summer cover crops.

The ‘soil carbon’ stream is about encouraging landholders to use interventions that will overcome subsoil constraints with long-term benefits for increased soil organic carbon and productivity across a range of soil types. Interventions used in these demonstration sites might include deep ripping, rock crushing, and the addition of soil amendments.

These grants are part of the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board’s Regenerative Agriculture Program, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. The Regenerative Agriculture Program is being delivered by grower group Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP).

AIR EP Executive Officer, Naomi Scholz, who is running the grants program, is looking forward to seeing the outcomes of this latest round of demonstrations.

“Some of the projects funded in recent rounds are providing really interesting options for farmers,” Ms Scholz says.

“I have seen demonstrations that have provided far more pasture for sheep by providing better adapted pasture species, coupled with improved grazing management to make the most of the feed on offer, even in poorer rainfall years.

“The projects with local farmer groups really enables a wider spread of information about the methods that are being trialled on a variety of soil types.

“For farmers, seeing the demonstrations - what works and even what is not so successful - in their own areas, applied by their neighbours, is a really powerful way of sharing knowledge.”

Applications for the grants close on December 11.

For further information call us on 0428 540 670 or visit www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ep/get-involved/grants-and-funding for the guidelines and application forms.