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Apply now for federal 'Smart Farms Small Grants' of upto $250,000 to do two-year soil extension activities on local farms

The national soil strategy is a government funding that prioritises soil health, empowers soil innovation and stewards, and strengthens soil knowledge and capability to improve soil management for better profit.

By news@gippsland - 9th September 2021 - Back to News

Member for Monash Russell Broadbent said the final round of Smart Farms Small Grants would fund a diverse range of soil extension activities across Australia. "These grants will promote knowledge and awareness of soil and lead to better soil management practices for our local farmers and land managers at the grass roots level," Mr Broadbent said.

The National Soil Strategy is Australia's first national policy on soil, it sets out how Australia will value, manage and improve its soil for the upcoming years

Activities to assist farmers and land managers

Monash individuals and organisations can apply for a share of $13 million in Australian Government Smart Farms Small Grants funding for activities to assist farmers and land managers improve their understanding and management of their soil.

• Smart Farms Small Grants: Soil Extension Activities round is now open
• Monash organisations and individuals can apply for grants of up to $250,000 over two years
• Two-year Soil Extension Activities to improve understanding of Australia's soil condition and how to better manage it
• Grants supporting outcomes under the Smart Farms Small Grants Program and the National Soil Strategy
• Applications open 7 September 2021 and close 9pm AEDT 12 October 2021

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the round provided an exciting opportunity for raising awareness and knowledge of our nation's soil.

Support to increased productivity and profitability

Minister Littleproud said, "This round will continue to support the Smart Farms Small Grants Program outcomes while also supporting outcomes under the National Soil Strategy. We all know that healthy soil is the basis for great agricultural output as well as environmental benefits, so this final round of Smart Farms Small Grants is getting back to basics."

"Soil extension activities will take action to improve soil health with evidence-based interventions leading to improved soil management practices. If we get this right, our farmers and land managers will see increased productivity and profitability, which will help the entire agriculture sector reach its Ag2030 goal to grow agriculture to $100 billion by 2030." Minister Littleproud said.

Better soil management

Member for Monash Russell Broadbent said, "This will also deliver benefits for our communities and natural resources in Monash. Better soil management will deliver productivity benefits to our farmers and land managers and help to improve our air and water quality."

Under this round, multiple activities may be applied for in the one application. Grants are available for between $100,000 to $250,000 per activity and will be delivered over two years. Applicants may apply for a maximum of $2 million per application.

Improving soil management and productivity

Eligible activities could include engaging a soil extension officer; conducting soil management workshops, seminars, roadshows or field days; creating communications products, webinars or online materials; and/or establishing trials, demonstrations and monitoring sites.

Fast Facts

Extension Activities will seek to improve soil management, improving productivity and profitability. These measures will also support and complement the two-year National Soil Monitoring and Incentives Pilot Program which forms part of the National Soil Strategy.

• The Smart Farms program is the key agriculture portfolio initiative under phase two of the $1.1 billion National Landcare Program
• To date, Smart Farms Small Grants has funded a total of 384 projects to the value of $25.5 million
• The National Soil Strategy sets out how Australia will value, manage and improve its soil for the next 20 years
• More than $54 million will be available under the National Soil Monitoring and Incentives Pilot Program to encourage farmers and land managers to undertake more comprehensive soil testing in exchange for sharing their data with the program

More information can be found about the Australian Government's investment in Landcare website.

Visit the National Soil Strategy to know more about and what is included in the government strategy.

For more information and details on how to apply, visit the Community Grants Hub.

Pictures from Russell Broadbent MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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