New Woolworths Sustainable Farming Grants now available

Grants of $11,000 and $5,500 (inc. GST) are now available to Australian farmers under the Woolworths Sustainable Farming Program!

The program initiative comes from a collaboration between Woolworths and the Country Women's Association (CWA) which raised over $4 million in 2007 for drought recovery and resilience. Landcare Australia is facilitating $1.5 million of the raised funds to develop, improve and encourage sustainable farming practices and increase the capacity of farming families and businesses to manage through, and recover quickly from droughts. It specifically focuses on properties in areas that are declared eligible for ‘exceptional circumstances’ assistance.

Landcare Australia is now seeking applications from both farming groups and individuals who wish to undertake projects in any primary production industry. The key emphasis of the program is to assist farmers to better manage their farming operations in response to our highly variable climate. In addition, the program aims to assist farmers in difficult circumstances evaluate and/or learn about innovative farming practices.

Woolworths aims to allocate the majority of the funding to on-ground activities and building the experience and skills of farmers involved in each project. The grants are not, however, restricted to a particular type of project model and we are keen to work towards developing projects that generate clearly defined benefits.

Download Application Forms and Assessment Criteria below or visit www.landcareonline.com [4]

Closing date for applications – 30th March 2008.

For more information please contact Shane Norrish, at shane.norrish@landcareaustralia.com.au [5] or on (02) 9412 1040