About the project

This project was about empowering farmers across the Riverina, the Murray and Southeast NSW with the knowledge, tools and confidence to take practical steps that would minimise drought impacts on livestock, pastures, soils and natural assets. It was also about strengthening networks, building local expertise, and leaving a lasting legacy of resources and skills that will continue to benefit farming communities long after the project ended.

Over the course of two years, the project reached hundreds of farmers, landholders and technical experts. It exceeded many of its original targets for workshops, field days and demonstration sites, while also producing valuable tools and templates that are now freely available for future use.

Along the way, the project teams learned important lessons about delivery methods, communications, governance, behaviour change and the realities of working across a wide range of regions, agriculture enterprises and varying seasonal conditions.

Banner image credit: Dave Smith, Sustainable Farms, Australian National University - Fenced dam at Bowna, NSW with a cow at the access point. Fencing out dams significantly improves water quality and prevents stock entrapment.