By The Garry White Foundation
In October 2015, Sally Perini from the Pace Foundation circulated an email to AEGN members listing some Paris COP21 initiatives, which the Pace Foundation was supporting but required further funding. One of these initiatives was “Sending Two Young Farmers to Paris”.
The two farmers requiring funding were Anika Molesworth, Australian Young Farmer of the Year 2015 and founder of Climate Wise Agriculture, and Josh Gilbert, president of NSW Young Farmers’ Council.
It was hoped that $13,000 could be raised to cover the costs of sending these two to attend the climate change conference. The pair had started a crowdfunding page to raise the money with a vision that whilst in Paris, they would act as important spokespeople to the Australian media, providing a face to some of the real impacts of climate change and also be a voice for farmers in a space dominated by green groups and vegetarian groups. The Climate Council’s Climate Media Centre was behind the two young farmers, providing media support prior, during and post-COP21.
The Garry White Foundation’s (GWF) commitment to funding initiatives promoting sustainable agriculture to support farmers, educate consumers and conserve the natural environment was a good fit for this funding request. A grant of $5000 was given to the Climate Council to help fund the trip for these two young and committed people.
The funds granted by GWF enabled Josh and Anika to also attend the Conference of Youth which ran alongside the COP21 and to visit European farms and see first-hand how other farmers were powering their communities using clean energy technologies.
The main farm tour was a visit to the National Trust listed Hafod y Llan farm in Wales. This farm is an historic sheep, goat and cattle farm which incorporates farming and conservation. Ancient Ash and Oak woodlands are being regenerated, whilst grazing continues. A 640kW hydro river scheme has also been implemented on the farm along with a project to build a bio-fuel production facility on site to turn urban and natural refuse into useable stored energy.
Both Josh and Anika came away with a wealth of ideas and information from the Hafod y Llan farm. Much was learnt from the visit to Wales, especially the realisation that community led projects are critical for shaping government discussion (unlike the usual top-down model).
Josh Gilbert and Anika Molesworth in Crookwell, NSW
Anika and Josh hope to share this information with farmers’ right across Australia and the world to ensure farmers continue to supply consumers with safe, affordable and nutritious food, and hopefully renewable power in the future.
From the small funding provided by GWF, there are some great results already underway including:
- Josh’s involvement with a potential new partnership for young farmers in Kenya and an information sharing system with African farmers;
- Josh being inspired to create a zero emissions model farm and is currently in discussion with partners from major car and tractor companies; and
- Anika is advising the World Bio Energy Association on climate appropriate agricultural practices for a project in Sudan, focusing on developing a biomass system and impetus for agroforestry adoption.
The overriding message from the two farmers is that a decrease in emissions is possible through agriculture. By harnessing renewable energy from solar and wind as well as increasing carbon storage in vegetation and soils. This in turn reduces the need for expensive nitrogen-based fertilizer and will reduce soil degradation, save water and protect our natural resource base.
The Garry White Foundation trustees are pleased at the achievements and ongoing action this small grant has initiated. Our belief is that to meet the production demand of the future and reduce emissions requires diverse and nuanced solutions that integrate the production of food, fibre and fuel with the conservation of biodiversity and water quality.
