UP2US LANDCARE and Geko Clan Landcare Network have come together to deliver a series of free workshops in February 2025 to educate future agricultural extension staff in drought preparedness and recovery techniques, technologies and approaches proven to work across the region.
Funded through the Australian government Future Drought Fund training will be delivered across an intensive five-day extension training workshop.
These workshops are ideal for young adults who are currently studying or have recently graduated from Natural Resource Management (NRM) and would benefit from the extension training in drought preparedness and recovery.
This training will cover topics including drought preparedness and recovery, extension training, soil health and pasture management, farm visits, water budgeting and biodiversity on farms.
There are two options to choose from, each week will deliver similar content, however, the first week will be based within the Benalla and Swanpool region covering cropping, dryland grazing and NRM.
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The second week will be based within the Mansfield region covering dryland grazing and NRM only.
The training dates for week one are Monday February 3 to Friday to February 7 2025 located at the Midland Highway Holiday Park in Lima.
The second week of training will be held at the Mansfield Holiday Park from Monday February 10 to Friday February 14.
The event is free for those who are currently studying or have recently graduated from agriculture or natural resource management.
It will include five days of extension training, cabin accommodation for four nights and all meals catered to dietary requirements.
Alongside this, all transport will be provided during the event, farm visits, networking with industry professionals, professional development workshops, case studies and opportunities to put skills into action.
Up2Us initially trialed the sessions with students in 2018.
When COVID hit they continued with some online mentoring sessions with the students as many were unaware of voluntary opportunities and how to get into them and they received great feedback from participants.
Many of the participants that came to these events had not heard of Landcare or were unaware of the role that Landcare plays.
Many were amazed by the fact that farms can be environmentally sustainable and productive at the same time.
From some of the initial session participants have gone onto work in Landcare.
Landcare being a great mix of community, sustainable agriculture and conservation makes this line of work very appealing to many that have come along.
This program gives participants the opportunity to build networks with regional employers and landowners alongside landcare staff will have the opportunity to participate in the training.
Both sessions are currently sold out with many on the waiting list.
To register your interest for the February 2025 training, please fill in this EOI: https://forms.office.com/r/5YwUnkMh1i
For further information please contact Up2Us Landcare on 03 5779 1593 or projects@up2us.org.au
