Thursday, 11th November 2010

A group of Wheatbelt farmers who received funding to film a DVD on the benefits of tree cropping are encouraging others to apply for a similar grant.

The funding was made available through Wheatbelt NRM’s Community Small Grants Incentive Scheme.

The “Greener Horizons” DVD was designed to encourage other farmers to investigate tree cropping as an option on their less-profitable soils.

It was put together with the help of AVONGRO Wheatbelt Tree Cropping.

Bencubbin farmer Michael Hogan was featured and said the grant helped make the project possible.

“We hope this DVD will give other farmers the confidence to consider tree cropping on poor farming soil,” Michael Hogan said.

Other beneficiaries from the grants program included the Mukinbudin Conservation Group to publish a book on rare butterflies and the Bolgart Primary School to educate students on conserving water.

The Northam Senior High School also received funding to develop a bush tucker garden and the River Conservation Society to study invertebrates at the Gwambygine Pool near York.

The 2011 round of grants is now open and community groups, schools and other organisations are being encouraged to apply.

Preference will be given to first time applicants.

Funding of up to $15,000 per project is available and the closing date for applications is 10th December 2010.

For further information and to download an application form, please visit our website at http://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/funding/csg