Diverse Farms Resilient Catchments

Growing diversity and resilience on farms, in communities and across landscapes.

Diverse systems are more resilient to change. Biological diversity in soils, crops, waterways, vegetation and livestock contributes to resilience and enhances our natural capital. Diverse farms also offer flexible options for income generation, social connections that increase access to ideas, and innovations from new perspectives.

The Diverse Farms Resilient Catchments project is a series of tailored education programs running from 2024 to 2028 that support farmers to increase their biological diversity and resilience on farms, in communities and across the landscape.

The project is delivered by Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) in collaboration with Otway Agroforestry Network, WestVic Dairy, Southern Farming Systems and Corangamite Landcare Networks.

The project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.

Diverse Farms Resilient Catchments programs bring together farmers, community, industry groups, and government agencies in the Corangamite CMA region to explore practical ways to boost on-farm biodiversity while maintaining profitability and building resilience to external challenges such as climate change.

Catering for a range of audiences including dairy, mixed farming, livestock, broadacre cropping and artisan producers, programs include the Otway Agroforestry Network Education Program, Sustainable Dairies workshops and engagement events, Southern Farming Systems climate smart farming events, on-farm demonstrations and Landcare innovation and exchange events.

These programs and events will support farmers to drive agricultural growth and adopt sustainable natural resource management practices on their properties that will reduce emissions and protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity across the catchment.

Through increased knowledge, participants will be motivated to undertake farm planning, contribute to their local communities and deliver on-ground practice change.