Adaptive Agriculture Grants

The Adaptive Agriculture Grants program supports agricultural industries to respond to the threats and market opportunities created by future climate projections for the Limestone Coast.

The grants fund activities that support the principle of sustainable management of natural resources to enable communities in primary production to develop resilience and respond to the threats and market opportunities created by climate change for the Limestone Coast region of South Australia.

Adaptive Agriculture Grants are now CLOSED.

Round 1 and Round 2 recipients for 2022/2023 are detailed below.

For more information about the Adaptive Agriculture Grants program, please contact Limestone Coast Landscape Board Adaptive Agriculture Senior Project Officer Chelsea Burns on 0427 015 531.

2022/2023 Adaptive Agriculture Grant Recipients - Round 1

Six (6) projects were successful in gaining funding in Round 1 for 2022/2023. The projects represent the diverse nature of the agricultural industry in the Limestone Coast and aim to support land managers with water security and efficiency, improve soil health, encourage biodiversity, confident decision making and knowledge of diversification and market provenance.

Salinity impacts on water security in Coorong & Tatiara districts

Applicant: Coorong Tatiara Local Action Plan (CTLAP)

This project aims to support land managers to understand groundwater systems, and support water efficiencies in their production systems in a changing climate. The development of resources will also support a further understanding of dryland salinity, through development of locally relevant resources to support land managers in the Coorong and Tatiara districts.

More Lambs More Often – bullet proofing your business against variable seasons

Applicant: Rural Industry Skills Training (RIST)

This project will focus on delivering small group workshops with livestock managers in an effort to build confidence in decision making in variable climates and markets in the Limestone Coast.

Building on the established ‘Lifetime Ewe Management (LTEM)’ program, the More Lambs More Often workshops will focus on climate variability for sheep producers based on rainfall sub-regions across the Limestone Coast through the delivery of practical, interactive and informative workshops. The aim is to increase knowledge and confidence in decision making to support resilient livestock management systems when extreme climatic events occur.

Building carbon and climate expertise in the Upper South East & Limestone Coast

Applicant: Coorong Tatiara Local Action Plan (CTLAP)

This project aims to build carbon and climate knowledge of advisors in the Upper South East and Limestone Coast to support land managers in the region. An increase in capacity of local advisors and support networks will enable communication of accurate and relevant technical knowledge and increase confidence of land managers by improved understanding of climatic trends, carbon neutrality and building soil carbon for resilient systems.

Carbon without the jargon: deciphering carbon farming in the Limestone Coast

Applicant: MacKillop Farm Management Group (MFMG)

The focus of this project is to deliver education and capacity building to farmers through a field day/crop walks and via a podcast communication product to support increased knowledge on carbon farming in the Limestone Coast region. It also aims to include specific and expert education and capacity building for land managers attending MacKillop Farm Management Group scheduled crop walks and field days regarding adapting to market opportunities in a changing climate. These activities aim to assist land managers to build confidence for agricultural business decision making, as well as share knowledge and expertise. A podcast devoted to providing a practical and local perspective on understanding carbon is also planned as an ongoing resource for land managers.

Limestone Coast bus tour - farm diversity in the Upper South East

Applicant: Grassland Society of Southern Australia - Limestone Coast branch (GSSALC)

This project is seeking to assist land managers to understand how they can build resilience and strengthen their production systems through farm diversity in agricultural businesses. A trip will be undertaken through the Upper South East district to demonstrate successful diversification and opportunities for business to adapt to market and consumer change in a changing climate. This activity will also raise awareness of progressive land management practices that are being successfully integrated to improve and protect the condition of soil, biodiversity and vegetation.

Supporting women in the Limestone Coast region in building the adaptive capacity of farming businesses

Applicant: WoTL Ltd

The focus of this project is to deliver education and capacity building to women in agricultural businesses through delivery of workshops in the Limestone Coast. This project aims to support increased knowledge on soil health, soil carbon and soil management, as well as supporting understanding and confidence to contribute to resilient farming business systems. These activities will also support the continued development of a connected resource network for women in agricultural business in the region.

This project is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board through funding from the Australian National Landcare Program.

2022/2023 Adaptive Agriculture Grant Recipients - Round 2

Four (4) projects were successful in gaining funding in Round 2 for 2022/2023. The projects represent key agricultural industry groups in the Limestone Coast, including viticulture and grazing, to support the delivery of comprehensive and valuable programs for the Limestone Coast region.

Growing sustainable primary production on the Limestone Coast by bridging the feed gap

Applicant: Thomas Elder Institute (TEI)

This project aims to demonstrate the use of adaptive and sustainable management practices to optimise the pasture feed base in the Limestone Coast, as well as evaluate sustainable intensification of livestock production systems using novel pasture mixes and biological fertilisers. Project outcomes will be delivered through the establishment of demonstration sites at the Struan-Kybybolite Best Practice Demonstration farm, with trials used to support a best practice guide for the region as well as case studies and field day. These activities will support a holistic, practical and ‘whole of business’ analysis to encourage sustainable and profitable primary production in the Limestone Coast.

Sustainable Winegrowing – Greater Limestone Coast

Applicant: Limestone Coast Grape & Wine Council Inc (LCGWCI)

This project will engage the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) to take a core group of growers from across the wine region of the Limestone Coast through a series of workshops to enable the development of individual actions plans, which will support regional action plans and case studies. The three (3) workshop program will include key topics to support sustainability credentials in the industry, as well as improve resilience and encourage sustainable environmental stewardship in the Limestone Coast region.

Weaners for Profit (WFP) Pilot Program

Applicant: Rural Industry Skills Training (RIST)

This project will focus on the establishment of the ‘Weaners for Profit’ (WFP) livestock management program to support livestock managers improve resilience in production systems throughout the Limestone Coast. The WFP program is delivered over approximately 12 months in small groups and will provide practical, integrated information on efficient management practices to finish weaners and joining ewe lambs. The program also aims to increase understanding of CO2 emissions in production systems, and pasture management for preserving soil health and ground cover.

Coonawarra Weather Station Network – adding value to data through audit and analysis

Applicant: Coonawarra Grape & Wine Inc (CGWI)

This project aims to develop a process to validate and analyse the existing data for the ten (10) Coonawarra local weather stations to make data more accessible for interpretation of regional observations over time. This detailed analysis will allow trends and variability to be identified, which will support regional change to viticultural land management practices. A summary report and associated information will be made available to industry to highlight the benefits of trend analysis for future decision making in a changing climate.

This project is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board through funding from the Australian National Landcare Program.