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The McLaren Vale Tree Trail is now open!
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To celebrate trees and their importance in our region, the Willunga Environment Centre and 14 cellar doors and restaurants have come together to create a unique tree trail where you will find interesting information on a variety of trees. Come and have a look at some of the 54 beautiful trees that compose this tree trail at participating cellar doors.
This Grassroots Grants funded project is the perfect collaboration of volunteers, City of Onkaparinga and industry coming together to appreciate the beauty and value trees have in our lives.
Come down to McLaren Vale, bring the family and check it out for yourself!
Watch the video, and visit Willunga Environment Centre’s website to learn more about the tree trail.
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Final round of Smart Farms Small Grants now open!
Do you have soil extension activities that could support the National Soil Strategy and National Landcare Program outcomes? The final round of the Smart Farms Small Grants: Soil Extension Activities program will support farmers and land managers to adopt smart farming techniques that improve soil management and increase on-farm productivity and profitability.
This includes activities that promote soil testing and soil sampling and, better yet, multiple activities can be applied for in one application!
Your activities could be eligible for grants between $100k-250k over two years under the Smart Farms Small Grants Program.
Find out more and apply now!
Applications close October 12.
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Photo: Danny McCreadie |
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Is your netting wildlife friendly?
Temporary netting is a popular way to protect fruit and nut trees from wildlife. It also provides some protection from sunburn, wind and hail damage.
There are a range of netting options available to protect crops from wildlife. Unfortunately, some netting (or the way it is erected) can entangle birds, possums, flying foxes, snakes and lizards; causing stress, injury or death.
During the struggle to escape from netting, the net often binds harder, and can cut into the animal, often causing severe injury and even death.
To learn more about wildlife friendly netting, please read this fact sheet on wildlife friendly temporary horticultural netting, and check out Fauna Rescue of South Australia's flyer.
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Rachel Williams, Grower Engagement Officer McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association; Janet Klein, Board Member Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board; Richard Leask, Leask Agri; and Jennifer Lynch, General Manager McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association. |
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Grassroots Grant leads to expansion of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
Over the past six months, a massive 850 hectares of additional vineyard area in McLaren Vale has been independently audited and certified in Australia’s national sustainability program for growers and producers; Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.
As a successful Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board Grassroots Grant program recipient, funding received by McLaren Vale Grape Wine & Tourism Association enabled the delivery of subsidised training and certification of McLaren Vale wine grape growers to the national sustainability program.
The grant project initially aimed to certify 10 vineyards sites across McLaren Vale, however the project was oversubscribed within days of being announced locally; such was the interest in sustainability certification! Additional investments by the Association and Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board enabled an extra 20 vineyard sites to be included in the project, totalling 30 certified vineyards sites across the region.
Growers involved in the project were recognised for their sustainability commitments and certification achievements at the recent Sustainable Winegrowing Australia program opening for 2021. In a gathering held under COVID-safe protocols at Kay Brothers Wines, Janet Klein, board member of Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, presented growers with their certificates and vineyard signs.
Learn more about Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.
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Chilean needlegrass. Photo: Monica Seiler, Green Adelaide |
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Fighting weeds after fire
The new Cudlee Creek ‘Weeds after Fire’ project aims to help landholders reduce the risk of weed invasion by identifying and eradicating new high-risk weeds on their property.
Through a free site visit, the program assists landholders in the 2019–2020 Cudlee Creek fire scar with:
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surveillance for new, high risk weeds and identification of suspected weeds on your property
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information about risk management and prioritising control targets
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connecting you to weed control programs.
Why bushfires spread weeds
High risk weeds (invasive plants) can be spread easily in many ways, including through vehicles and imported hay. After a bushfire, emergency response activities and rebuilding can move high risk weeds to new areas. Fire can also stimulate weed germination.
The spread of high risk weeds after a bushfire can often be overlooked, as other pressing emergency response and recovery issues take priority. It can take several months after a fire for new weeds to become obvious.
High risk weeds that could spread to new areas include:
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serrated tussock (not yet established in SA)
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Chilean needlegrass (a few infestations being managed in SA)
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silverleaf nightshade (common in some regions of SA, absent in others).
These weeds impact farming operations, animal welfare and are costly to manage. The cost of weeds to the Australian agriculture industry is more than $4 billion each year.
Find out more about weeds in South Australia.
Book a site visit
In partnership with the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, a cost-free site visit is now available to landholders in the Cudlee Creek fire scar.
To have your property surveyed for high risk weeds, contact:
Shannon Robertson – Facilitator, Newly Established Weeds
Phone: 0428 201 562
Email: Shannon.robertson@sa.gov.au
This program is jointly funded through the Local Economic Recovery Program in partnership between the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA). It is co-funded by the South Australian and Commonwealth Governments under the National Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
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Registrations are now open for the Carbon Neutral 2030 Grazier Network
The ‘Carbon Neutral 2030 Grazier Network’ will provide the latest tips and information on positioning your business to take advantage of the rapidly evolving world of environmental markets and certification schemes. Participants will receive quarterly updates on the latest research findings, links to relevant and scientifically verified media articles and the opportunity to be involved in future research projects. Group members will be encouraged to share their experiences, ask questions and learn from each other’s experiences.
Apply to be part of the network, or email carbon@daf.qld.gov.au for more information
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Heartbeat of Rural Australian study – how are community groups and not-for-profits faring?
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is a national charity specifically focused on supporting the social and economic strength of remote, rural and regional communities. FRRR has granted out more than $115 million to more than 10,000 community projects across the country.
Given this broad reach and day-to-day contact with rural community groups, FRRR understands and appreciates the critical role that local organisations and not-for-profits play in rural areas. They also know that in many places, successive disasters including drought, floods, fires and of course COVID-19 have had a huge impact and meant many groups are doing it really tough, with volunteers fatigued and funding hard to come by.
That’s why FRRR have launched a research study called Heartbeat of Rural Australia. They want to put some numbers around the critical role of community-based organisations in sustaining the vitality of remote, rural and regional Australia. They want to better understand the impacts of recent disasters and to identify what’s currently affecting the capacity, capability, influence and leadership of community groups.
The findings will be shared widely, including with the groups that participate, to help them better advocate for the support they need to sustain and grow their activities. The results will also inform governments, philanthropy, and business about the specific needs of community organisations outside metropolitan areas, and to inform our practice.
Take the survey.
The survey closes 30 September.
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Have your say on a draft soil carbon method for the Emissions Reduction Fund
The Australian Government is inviting input on a draft soil carbon method for the Emissions Reduction Fund.
The new method will help to reduce measurement costs, increase flexibility and support greater uptake of soil carbon projects across Australia. This will make it easier to reward farmers for their contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Read more and have your say.
Submissions close September 27.
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Nominations are now open for the 2021 Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards
The Agricultural Bureau of South Australia are seeking nominations for the 2021 Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards.
The awards provide unique opportunities and financial support to motivated and bright young farmers and rural youth who will benefit from personal and professional development to support a successful career in their chosen field.
Applications are currently open for:
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The Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship, sponsored by Department for Environment and Water. This scholarship is an $8,000 grant for a farmer aged 18-40 to pursue further study, take a study tour, or run a special project.
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The Rural Youth Bursary, sponsored by Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA. This bursary is a $5,000 grant for rural young people (not necessarily in primary production) aged 18-30, working in a rural community to undertake further study in their chosen career with an ultimate benefit to their community.
The 2021 awards will be presented at the Agricultural Bureau of SA’s annual Spirit of Excellence Awards Dinner at The Terrace Function Centre in Evanston on October 29.
Find out more and apply.
Application close September 15.
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Agrifutures Australia Rural Women’s Award and Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant now available
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award empowers and celebrates the inclusive and courageous leadership of women involved in Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses, and communities, now and into the future.
Over the past 21 years, the award has gained a significant profile and is recognised as a program of influence among parliamentarians, industry, media, and award alumni. Each State and Territory Winner receives a bursary for their project, business, or program, access to professional development opportunities, and alumni networks.
Nominate now!
AgriFutures has also introduced a new program called the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant program. It is developed to complement the Rural Women’s Award process, aiming to provide a leadership and development opportunity to women who are not quite ready to apply for the award.
Seven Australian women per annum will be granted a learning and development bursary for professional development to enable them to bring their idea, cause, or vision to life. Successful AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant applicants can apply for the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award in the future.
Nominate now!
Nominations for both the Rural Women’s Award Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant close October 8.
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Events
SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is hitting the road for a series of regional workshops
September 13-17
The SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is hitting the road for a series of regional workshops to gather input and ideas from local communities from local communities on their priorities for building future drought resilience.
The free workshops are open to all regional community members. You can attend in-person or virtually. Registration is essential to ensure COVID-safe events.
Loxton - 13 September 17:30
Orroroo - 14 September 10:30
Roseworthy - 16 September 19:00
Naracoorte - 17 September 12:00
Local Butterfly Talk with Mike Moore (Strathalbyn NRC)
September 15
Join the GWALP to learn about local butterflies! Mike Moore from Butterfly Conservation SA will be presenting on local butterfly species, their habitat requirements, and how to care for them. Local butterfly-loving garden plants will be available for purchase for $2.50 each (cash only), so bring along some change.
RSVP is essential due to COVID restrictions. Please contact Jacqui at jacqui.wilson@gwlap.org.au or 0400 036 843.
Introduction to Regenerative Farming
September 17-‘Tent Rock’ (Delamere)
What does it mean, how does it work, what is the purpose, and who is involved? Whether you're a commercial or lifestyle farmer, or a keen gardener, if you're interested in sustainable food production come and join us for an on-farm experience at Tent Rock, in the beautiful Deep Creek.
Hear from Dick Richardson, an internationally recognised leader in the practice of natural grazing to improve soil depth and health, water retention, increased biodiversity and animal production.
$20 per person or $50 per family.
SA Central Viticulture Expo & Trade Fair
September 21-22 (Longview Winery, Macclesfield)
Members of Adelaide Hills, Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale Wine Regions are invited to attend the SA Central Viticulture Expo & Trade Fair, funded by Wine Australia.
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If you have a story or event to promote, please email the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator for the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, Sophie Bass, at sophie.bass@sa.gov.au.
The Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator Program is funded by the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.
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