15 November, 2021

Word Count: 440

Workshops to share knowledge about managing drought & climate challenges

Riverine Plains Inc will soon be delivering workshops to help farmers and communities across southern NSW and north-east Victoria address future drought and climate challenges.

The workshops are being delivered through a new project, Enhancing Community Networks for Drought Resilience in the Riverine Plains, which has recently been funded by the Future Drought Fund’s Networks to Build Drought Resilience program, through donors the Australian Government, Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal and the Pratt Foundation.

Riverine Plains CEO, Catherine Marriott explained that the project is designed to help people in Riverine Plains’ communities make personal and business connections to help better prepare for the next drought or climate challenge.

“We all recognise that drought is inevitable part of farming in Australia and that severe droughts and climatic events can have huge economic, social and environmental impacts on individuals and regional communities” said Ms Marriott.

“While we can’t stop drought, a key part of being able to respond is having other farmers, advisors, health and social networks or business services to turn to for advice, or to collaborate with, about key personal and management decisions” she said.

Farmers, business operators and Indigenous custodians in our community all have a different experience of drought and climatic events, and there are a vast range of strategies that people have adopted.

“Getting to know people outside of our immediate social or family circle can help expand access to new perspectives, ideas and support, while being able to tap into the experiences of others can really help when making plans to better manage future drought” added Ms Marriott.

As part of the project, 30 workshops will be held in southern NSW and north-east Victoria to connect primary producers, landholders, support services and Indigenous custodians to increase awareness of support, share knowledge and help improve community resilience to future drought and climate challenges.

The first workshop was held as part of the Evan Moll Gerogery Field Day on Thursday 11 November, 2021, with participants sharing their experiences in managing mental and physical health and the actions they took to manage their business during previous droughts, as well as changes they would like to implement before the next drought.

Additional workshops are being planned for late 2021 and the first half of 2022. To learn more about the project and any upcoming community events, please visit www.riverineplains.org.au

The Enhancing Community Networks for Drought Resilience in the Riverine Plains project is funded by the Future Drought Fund’s Networks to Build Drought Resilience program, through donors the Australian Government, Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal and the Pratt Foundation.

ENDS

Riverine Plains Inc is an independent farming systems group specialising in farmer driven research and extension across north-east Victoria and southern New South Wales. For more information, or to become a member, please visit www.riverineplains.org.au

More information or interview:

Emily Thompson, Riverine Plains Inc (03 5744 1713) or email emily@riverineplains.org.au