A project by Farmers for Climate Action will develop a network of farmers across Victoria to provide information and support to farmers to become climate change champions in their local communities.

Already established successfully in other Australian states, the project will encourage farmers to share skills and knowledge around climate change, such as working to adapt to a hotter, drier climate. In other states, the farmers’ networks have proved successful in helping farmers to implement climate smart farming practices including how to reduce greenhouse emissions.

Farmers for Climate Action Chief Executive Officer, Verity Morgan-Schmidt, said the good news is that Victorian farmers are amongst the most innovative in Australia as they have become used to operating in a variable climate.

“Serious problems lie ahead if Victorian agriculture doesn’t learn to both mitigate and adapt to climate change. This obviously includes effecting the sustainability of our water and food systems.”

The Foundation has provided a grant of $113,000 to establish the Victorian network through the support of a state co-ordinator.

The Foundation's Environment & Sustainability Program Manager Daniel Pediaditis said, “It’s critical that we support the health and wellbeing of our farmers and support projects that help them to adapt to the changing climate conditions.

“We hope that this Victorian network will also provide a collective voice for farmers to participate in important government policy decisions around the future of agribusiness including Victoria’s new Climate Change Adaption Plan.”