03-Feb-2012

What could be a better way to celebrate the outstanding work that farmers do throughout Australia to produce our food and materials that keep us fed, clothed and sheltered, than having a whole year dedicated to them?

2012 is the Australian Year of the Farmer, and here at SEQ Catchments we would like to say a heartfelt thank you for the time, resources and dedication our farming community in South East Queensland (SEQ) has spent to protect and restore our regions natural assets.

Partnering and building up relationships with our agricultural community underlies much of the work that we do to protect SEQs natural resources for future generations and we recognise the critical role that farmer’s play as long-term stewards of our environment.

Over the years we have worked with a number of players in the agricultural sector, from large scale commercial farmers to small hobby farmers all with the same vision: a healthy, sustainable farming sector.

Keeping our soils healthy, landscapes free from weeds and pests and reducing sediment and nutrient run off into our waterways help keep our landscape resilient to future climate impacts, restores our native wildlife habitat and reduces the impact our society has on the integrity of surrounding ecosystems.

Our farmers deliver a great deal of benefits not only to their own communities, but also to communities throughout the region. Their dedicated work to achieve more sustainable farming practices feed into a wide range of ecosystem services such as better water and air quality which are felt throughout the whole of SEQ and beyond.

SEQ Catchments is very fortunate to work with such a diverse group of farmers in rural Queensland and applaud their efforts in going above and beyond their call of duty to make sure that our natural resources in SEQ will remain well protected for years to come.

Look out for a series of interviews with our farmers in our upcoming E-news editions throughout 2012!