DG: Landholder Extension Package

Using the latest knowledge about how to translate science in order to inspire and enable change, a cross-sector program targeting a range of outcomes including profitability, could enhance farmer capacity and build a stronger culture of natural resource stewardship.

• Partner with local agricultural services to make available information and resources regarding sustainable / alternative agricultural practices and soil health. Many farmers already work with ag services, so it would be a good place to get advice about a range of practices and different sources of information.
• Hold sustainable agriculture field days or workshops around Mossman, bringing in the right extension people who have the right approach (eg. people like Graeme Sait, Christine Jones and Dave Hardwick) – need to provide information to help people to start the process of change and introduce new ideas.
• Hold discussion forums or farm visits to provide opportunities to connect with others and share ideas.
• Set up demonstration sites showing a range of alternative agricultural production systems (eg. agroforestry).
• More training and resources for soil testing, to better match crops and fertiliser use to soil.
• Investigate alternatives to chemical fertilisers (eg. diatomaceous earth) to improve soil health and maintain productivity.
• Provide more information to farmers about the benefits of green cane trash blanketing (retaining organic matter, reduced soil loss) to reduce the number of burn offs in cane paddocks.

R-CM 7: Landholder Support Program
Work collaboratively to enhance existing, and develop new, practical and useful extension and knowledge brokering services and products for land managers, covering the wide range of integrated NRM issues affecting, and affected by, land management.