Award-winning Healthy Landscapes program extended

Published on 16 June 2022

The Healthy Landscapes Practical Regenerative Agricultural Communities program has been extended until 2024.

This unique program supports farmers and rural land managers with regenerative agricultural training and advice. It is a collaboration between Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council, the City of Greater Bendigo, Melbourne Water, A Healthy Coliban Catchment project (North Central Catchment Management Authority and Coliban Water), and the Upper Campaspe Landcare Network.

All parties have committed in-kind and financial support to allow the program’s continuance for another two years.

The aim of the Healthy Landscapes project is to enhance the capacity of rural landowners to implement sustainable land management practices and regenerative grazing techniques that improve soil health, reduce exposure to climate risks, sequester carbon and reduce emissions, and enhance biodiversity and waterway health.

In the last twelve months, the program has delivered popular grass identification workshops, a holistic grazing course, a small property management course and many other events and webinars to over 875 participants.

The program was recognised with a 2021 Premier’s Sustainability Award for its success in facilitating practice change on properties.

Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson said there has been ongoing demand for this program and Council is pleased to continue to support rural landowners in a way that helps the environment and their enterprise.

“Providing ongoing education and advice is vital to seeing landholders implement land management practices that improve both the natural environment and agricultural productivity. The continuation of this program would not be possible without our partnership with the other shires and organisations,” she said.

Program participant, James Edmonds from Romsey said, “I have changed everything and have enjoyed and appreciated the new understanding this program has given me. The results are real and immediate.”

Over the next two years, the program will continue to offer: