Farmers affected by the recent Bayindeen – Rocky Road bushfire are invited to attend a 4 to 6 -week whole farm planning course at Beaufort starting on Thursday 11 April.
Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer Clem Sturmfels said the course has been specifically designed to assist farmers affected by the recent fires.
‘It offers participants a chance to get away from the farm, share their knowledge and ideas and prepare a new plan for the farm.
‘Whole farm planning (WFP) involves laying out your farm based on its natural features, soil, slope and climate.
‘A whole farm plan is a detailed map of a property showing features such as soil types, land classes, water supply, fencing and laneways’, Mr Sturmfels said.
Mr Sturmfels said the aim of WFP is to make farms more productive, efficient and sustainable whilst at the same time protecting natural assets such as the soil, water and the natural environment.
‘We have had very positive feedback from people who have completed the course, saying it helps them to re-design their paddocks, as well as sharing some time off the farm with others each week.’
He said participants who take part in the course will be given a large, laminated map of their farm as well as being offered a newly developed computer mapping program called QGIS My Farm Plan.
Date: starts Thursday 11 April
Time: 10 am – 3 pm
Where: Beeripmo Development Centre, 1 Lawerence Street, Beaufort.
Register online at: