Farmers applaud agriculture program

For a fifth year running the Shire of Augusta Margaret River, through its Environmental Management Fund, will support the Lower Blackwood Land Conservation District Committees (LCDC) to continue their Regenerative Agriculture in Practice Program (RAPP) for grazing land managers in the shire.

RAPP covers an array of topics which include soil health and grazing management principles and practices, an exploration of how rural landscapes work, biodiversity pasture, on farm composting, bio simulants, regenerative farm planning and much more.

The program delivery ranges through a series of expert presentations, workshops, fieldworks, and one on one on farm consultations, and also includes demonstrations and peer group coaching sessions.

RAPP 2025 has been designed in consultation with previous participants and is aimed at those who are just starting to ‘dip their toe’ into Regenerative Agriculture.

“RAPP 2025 aims to assist land managers to achieve profitable production whilst at the same time regenerating and enhancing ecosystem services on their farms. These services include improvements in soil nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, water infiltration and storage, functional biodiversity, and plant and animal health,” Program Manager Kate Tarrant said.

Over 40 farm enterprises have participated over the past four years and have given the program an overwhelming thumbs up.

“[The RAPP] has changed the way we farm because we now have knowledge,” RAPP 2024 participant Kay Campbell said.

“We did the farm planning course and it put my husband and I on the same path, and it brought us together on the farm and we’ve achieved all the things that we set out in the course which was invaluable.”

Ms Tarrant said applications had opened for ten grazing enterprises to join RAPP 2025.

“We encourage land managers in the shire take this exciting opportunity to learn how to improve overall farm landscape health and productivity for their enterprise for the long term,” she said.

For more information about RAPP 2025 contact Kate Tarrant 0409 203 056 or kate.tarrant@lowerblackwood.com.au