South East Queensland farmer, Caitlin McConnell from Cressbrook has been awarded a climate-smart farming scholarship by Farmers for Climate Action.

Caitlin is one of 20 farmers selected Australia-wide from a field of 200 applicants, a record number for the growing program.

The scholarship, which is valued at more than $3,000, aims to support the winners to become leaders in climate-smart agriculture and increase the resilience of their farms as well as have a positive impact on the future of the industry.

SEQ scholarship winner

Amongst the scholarship winners are farmers from each state and territory. The group includes small and large farming operations from a range of sectors including sheep, cattle, cropping, and horticulture.

South East Queensland winner, Caitlin McConnell is part of a family beef cattle operation. The property near Toogoolawah lays claim to being the oldest identified family business in Queensland.

A primary producer and agribusiness lawyer, Caitlin is acutely aware of the critical role agriculture can – and must – play in reaching net zero targets.

She believes that access to adequate food and water as a fundamental human right will only be feasible long-term if:

• Farmers are provided with the knowledge and tools necessary to adapt to and mitigate climate risks.
• Primary production, and the associated protection of natural capital, are recognised as core foundations upon which climate change and national security strategies are built.

Caitlin is grateful for the opportunity to gain international insights and techniques to ensure that her family farming operation, and by extension the Australian agricultural sector, will remain viable in the face of climate change.

According to Farmers for Climate Action, they are seeing a clear and growing interest from farmers keen to learn about building resilience and reducing their carbon footprint.

“Farmers are on the front lines of climate impacts, including drought, bushfires, and recent floods. They are ready to act to protect their farms for the future and they are keen to learn more,” says Outreach Coordinator Ellen Litchfield.

To read more about the scholarship, visit the Farmers for Climate Action website: www.farmersforclimateaction.org.au