Farmers for Climate Action brought together 20 scholars from commodity groups including livestock, cropping and horticulture, as well as students starting out in their agricultural career.
Farmers for Climate Action represents Australian farmers taking action on climate change and advocating for policy that supports a resilient and sustainable farming sector.
The scholars will receive a bespoke course from the Australian National University focusing on climate science, innovative nature-based solutions in agriculture and the Australian policy landscape. It will equip them with the skills and knowledge to communicate these findings within their communities and industries.
The course began in Shepparton on September 1, with 20 participants coming together with Farmers for Climate Action chief executive Verity Morgan-Schmidt and hearing from NAB head of sustainable finance James Bentley.
Program manager Ellen Litchfield said Farmers for Climate Action had a long history of upskilling people working across all of Australia in the agricultural sector.
“I am really excited about this latest cohort in Victoria,” she said.
“They are a really dynamic group of people from all stages of their agricultural career.
“I can’t wait to follow their journey and see the positive impacts they have within their communities and industries."
Steve Hobbs, a cropping and sheep farmer from Kaniva, was part of the first cohort of farmers that FCA put through training in 2018.
“I had been doing some of my own weather data and seeing these warming trends so it was really helpful to learn about climate science from experts,” he said.
“Back then this was still a disputed thought, so really great to get up-to-date information.
“It is not about if we are going to have a drought or a flood. It is about the severity and frequency of these events.
“I really enjoyed meeting up with people from all different backgrounds but with similar interests as part of my FCA training. It made me feel less alone.”
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