Farmers in Australia are aware of their obligation to leave their children and future generations of farmers with a natural resource asset base that will underpin their enterprises. Landcare shows the farming community is willing and interested in farming in a more sustainable manner. Over one third of farms are now involved in landcare. Those farmers now have a greater understanding of the causes of degradation and are better armed with innovative farm practices to treat or prevent problems. A very effective story about the success of Landcare comes from an evaluation of the National Property Management Planning Campaign, which is part of the National Landcare Program.
Farmers are committed to making changes to their farm management.
National Landcare Awards, which was held to recognise the contributions made to landcare by a number of groups and individuals. The award winners and nominees gave us a sample of the ways farmers and the community have embraced landcare and the principles of sustainable agriculture. Achieving sustainable rural industries is a major social, economic and environmental goal for the Australian Government. The Trust programs invest in a wide range of activities in rural and regional Australia. Funds are provided to landcare and other community groups, industry organisations, governments, educational institutions, non-government organisations and indigenous communities for projects aimed at sustainable natural resource management.