Climate Smart Farming
Supporting Gippsland farmers to adopt sustainable agriculture practices that benefit farming, the environment and the bottom line.
About the project
Through our Climate Smart Farmers project, we’re supporting Gippsland farmers with practical, on-ground activities designed to drive agricultural growth and protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity at the same time.
Farm Fencing Grants
Supporting farmers with the costs of fencing to protect biodiversity.
Fencing livestock out of wetlands, waterways and patches of remnant native vegetation can greatly benefit biodiversity, while also improving the management of farming operations.
Removing livestock from steep slopes and erosion sites can reduce the loss of valuable topsoil and at the same time improve habitat for native wildlife. Fencing is also the first step in creating shelterbelts for livestock, which can then serve as important corridors for native wildlife to move through the landscape.
Grant applications closed in April 2025.
Making the most of manure
Supporting up to 15 dairy farmers in the Macalister Irrigation District to make the most of dairy effluent.
This funding stream aims to help farmers increase the area of effluent distribution on their farms by providing customised advice and practical support to upgrade infrastructure and improve effluent management practices.
By maximising the use of effluent across the farm, farmers can reduce the use of synthetic fertiliser, saving money and emissions.
Grant applications closed in June 2025.
Project partners
- GippsDairy
- Landholders
Delivered over four years (2024-2028), the $1.68m Climate Smart Farmers project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
Latest news
From barren to beautiful
In 2017 Brent and Amy were staring at an empty landscape, a fencing grant from West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (the CMA) and partners has helped transform a local beef farm into a tranquil landscape filled with birds and wildlife – all while protecting its prize asset – the cows.
Making the most of manure
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and GippsDairy are inviting expressions of interest from dairy farmers in the Macalister Irrigation Area (MIA) to join a project aimed at boosting the benefits of effluent on farm and ultimately reducing effluent entering the Gippsland Lakes.
