- The Future Drought Fund’s $23 million Drought Resilient Soils and Landscapes Program opens today
- The grants aim to trial and demonstrate land management practices that will improve the natural capital across agricultural landscapes
- Applications are open until 11 January 2022
Farmers and interested organisations in Toowoomba Region are encouraged to apply for a share of $23 million when the Future Drought Fund’s Drought Resilient Soils and Landscapes Program opens today.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the competitive grants process will trial and demonstrate land management practices that support drought resilience.
“There are land management practices that can help farms manage during, and recover quicker after drought. We want to help bring these practices into the mainstream,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Practices that maintain strong groundcover helps the soil absorb and hold more water for longer and protects it from erosion and weeds.”
“This is about making farms more resilient to drought, and supporting farms here in the Toowoomba Region because we know every farm makes a big difference to Australian agriculture.”
Member for Groom Garth Hamilton said the program is looking for projects that will show that existing land management practices being applied in Toowoomba Region can be effectively applied at scale.
“We’re looking for projects that provide trials and demonstrations farmers can learn and then apply on their own farms,” Mr Hamilton said.
“This is an opportunity for partnerships involving farmers and organisations such as the local Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, farming system groups, Rural Research and Development Corporation, and NRM regional bodies.”
The grants process is open until 11 January 2022. Grants of $500,000 to $1 million (GST exclusive) are available.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/
A webinar will be held on 14 December 2021 to provide information on the grants process and how to submit a grant application.
For more information about how to get involved visit the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website awe.gov.au or call 1800 900 090. Or register your interest on the department’s Have Your Say website.
Fast Facts:
- The Future Drought Fund is a long term sustained investment of $100 million each year to build drought resilience.
- $23m is on offer. Projects must be between $500,000 to $1 million (GST exclusive)
- In the first year of the FDF, the Australian Government invested $13.4 million in 80 projects to promote future drought resilience through the Natural Resource Management Drought Resilience Program – Grants and Landscapes streams. These projects are underway and are set to deliver some exciting and beneficial outcomes in 2022.
- Drought Resilient Soils and Landscapes is a program under the $5 billion Future Drought Fund
