Farming in Amenity
Landscapes:
maintaining food productivity
in a changing environment
Jane Roots, Dr Joanne Millar and Dr Rik Thwaites
The Place: Indigo Shire, Victoria
- an ‘Amenity’ landscape
Location of Indigo Shire,
North East Victoria
Agriculture in Indigo
Shire…
•
•
•
•
$151.3 million (2007)
Employment impact: 1,121 people
500+ farms
Dairy, beef, wine grapes, lamb, apples, stone
fruit, chestnuts, wheat, wool, grains, honey
Number of farms, area and
value by farm size (2006)
80
70
60
%
50
40
30
20
10
0
<$100k
$100k-$200k
$200k-$400k
$400k+
EVAO Cate gorie s
Establishments
Area
Value
NE Victoria
source: Barr, 2012
Trend in farm establishments
1983-2006
Establishm ent Count
600
Establishments
500
400
300
200
100
0
1983
1986
1991
1996
Dairy
Grains
Beef
Hort
Other Crops
Other livestock
2001
2006
Sheep
NE Victoria
source: Barr, 2012
Estimated regional production
value
Estimated regional EVAO ($Millions)
$70
$60
$50
Dairy
Cropping
$40
Sheep
$30
Horticulture
Beef
$20
$10
$0
1983
1986
1991
1996
2001
2006
NE Victoria
source: Barr, 2012
Questions…
• How do we keep farms in these landscapes, and how
can we help make them productive?
• Can these landscapes contribute to food security by
providing a secure and acceptable source of local
food of the local and regional population?
Diversification ….
Farmer’s perspectives…
“Close to 80 % of our business was farm-gate last year, and
that has grown enormously….I think there is potential for
more combinations of tourism and agriculture.”
(Horticulturalist)
“In my experience, most people who want that ‘sea change’,
who are looking for that country lifestyle, they actually look
forward to it - they actually like the noises of farming.”
(Broad acre farmer)
Local gov’t perspectives…
“I don’t think we engage all that well specifically about farming
issues, talking about transport links or water issues or even sit
down with them…I don’t think there’s anyone in Council that has a
real understanding of what the farmers are thinking other than
snippets of information that we might get… in the community
forums.” (Shire staff)
“We don’t do a lot of consulting only with farmers, I don’t think
we do any… perhaps if we’re saying that they’re one of our largest
bringers of money into the Shire, then we probably don’t take
enough notice of them.” (Councillor )
Local gov’t perspectives…
“I think there is, psychologically and emotionally, a
comfort in being able to drive around and see
where your food comes from, to see order, to see
activity, to see endeavour.” (Councillor )
Local food markets…
Opportunities….
• Links to create integrated land use
• Quantifying the real value of agriculture
• Mapping food production areas
• Alternative land ownership & farming
arrangements
• Right-to-farm legislation & increased awareness
• Being pro-active & engaging farmers
…attractive, sustainable landscapes that can
still feed us…
Thank you !