Sustainable agriculture officer on board for Eyre Peninsula

Ungarra farmer Josh Telfer has just started in the role bringing hands-on farming experience as well as soil and land management conservation knowledge from previous work with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.

This position is 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).

Josh – who has worked internationally in Bangladesh and Sudan on agricultural projects – says he is looking forward to facilitating local farmers’ involvement with sustainable agriculture projects and spreading knowledge about farming methods that restore pH levels, increase soil organic carbon levels and reduce the risk of nutrient loss from wind erosion.

“I’m passionate about the future for Eyre Peninsula, and particularly it’s agriculture across all our different climatic zones, and I think we have a bright future,” Mr Telfer says.

“One of things I’m working on is the two small grants projects looking at investigating and demonstrating the use of multi-species cover crops, and also the effects soil amelioration can have on soil carbon.

“There are significant financial resources available for both individuals and groups to help investigate and facilitate these sorts of things across EP, so I encourage farmers or farming systems groups to contact me if they wish to know more.”

The Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board has grants currently open in two categories. The grants provide up to $9,000 for farmers or farming systems groups to establish demonstration sites.

Applications for these grants close on 11 December 2020. More information about the grants can be found on our website.

Local farmers can contact Josh on susag@airep.com.au or 0460 000 290.