Are you a farmer who is interested in growing community through resilience on the land?
Well applications are now the opportunity to learn and grow with other like minded farmers as part of the federal government's $11.5m national drought resilience mentoring program.
The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) has been appointed by the federal government to deliver the Future Drought Fund's Drought Resilience Leaders Program - an initiative designed to "strengthen the future of regional communities through capacity building and collaboration".
ARLF chief executive Matt Linnegar said the mentorship program will give people in rural and remote communities the chance to learn a range of tools that will help them and their communities better deal with the challenges presented by drought.
"It's an opportunity to connect experience and innovation with ideas and opportunities," he said.
"The program provides participants with the opportunity to learn from one another and those with experience and expertise in the areas of climate science, resilience, wellbeing and agricultural practice"
Inductions for the program begin in October with mentoring sessions held in the first half of next year.
"So, wherever you are in Australia, take the opportunity to sign up as a mentee or a mentor and invest in yourself, your business and your region."
- ARLF chief executive Matt Linnegar
The program will feature eight webinars, which are open to everyone, and cover topics relevant to strengthening drought and climate resilience, agriculture and regional Australia.
The first four webinars are scheduled to roll out between August 2021 and November 2021, with the remaining four webinars to be held in the first half of 2022.
"With the mentoring program conducted primarily online and inclusive of all agricultural industries, this is a truly national initiative", Mr Linnegar said.
"So, wherever you are in Australia, take the opportunity to sign up as a mentee or a mentor and invest in yourself, your business and your region."
National Farmers Federation chief executive officer Tony Mahar said skills acquired from the leadership program will translate across the agricultural sector.
"As agriculture ploughs towards its goal of becoming a $100 billion industry by 2030, it is imperative we are being proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to building drought resilience among the future leaders of regional, rural and remote communities," Mr Mahar said.
"The delivery of this mentoring program is significant to that, giving leaders the tools to withstand hardship, but also, the connection and network to collaborate as an industry, coming together to tackle challenges such as drought and climate."
Where to apply
Be part of a national network of mentors and mentees, sharing knowledge and learning from others to support and strengthen the agriculture sector and regional Australia. Click here.
