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  6. Climate-Smart Agriculture Program
  7. Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators (SAF)

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  • Climate-smart sustainable agriculture
    • Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators

Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators (SAF)

The Australian Government has invested $40.7 million in a national network of Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, funded through the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT).

The facilitators will connect farmers, landholders, community groups and agriculture industries to relevant information and programs on climate-smart, sustainable agriculture practices; facilitate partnerships and connections; and support the delivery of sustainable agriculture projects in their region. This investment builds on the valuable work of the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator network funded through the previous phase of the NHT.

SAF services

  1. Engage and inform farmers, landholders, community groups, and agriculture industries within their NRM region about climate-smart, sustainable agriculture practices to help achieve climate-smart sustainable agriculture outcomes. Including best practice natural resource management, biodiversity and carbon markets, and practices that support emission reductions and build climate resilience on-farm.

    This may include:
    • sharing relevant government information, policies, programs, and tools.
    • advising of upcoming funding opportunities.
    • sharing relevant training opportunities.
  2. Facilitate partnerships and connections that will assist farmers, landholders, community groups and agriculture industries to work together to achieve sustainable agriculture outcomes.

    This may include connections with:
    • other farmers, landholders, community groups or areas of industry (for example where there are areas of alignment, common issues, or solutions that would provide mutual or co-benefits).
    • extension officers, including Regional Soil Coordinators, Adoption Officers in the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs, and advisors under the Carbon Farming Outreach Program.
    • grantees funded under the Natural Heritage Trust.
  3. Support the delivery of sustainable agriculture projects in their NRM region.

    This may include:
    • Assisting with events, communication activities and communities of practice.
    • Connecting stakeholders.
    • Engaging with First Nations peoples and organisations.

SAFs support the following three Climate-Smart Agriculture Program outcomes:

  • The agriculture sector is adopting practices to reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change.
  • The agriculture sector is supported to harness carbon and biodiversity incentives and implement industry sustainability frameworks.
  • Farmers are supported to drive agricultural growth, while adopting sustainable natural resource management practices that protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity.

Find your SAF

To find out how your local SAF may be able to assist you, please see a list of SAF contact details for each NRM region below.

NameManagement UnitEmail addressContact number
Jeni CumberlandACTjenilee.cumberland@act.gov.au0407321784
Mary BonetACTmary.bonet@act.gov.au0459 352 892
Lana AndrewsNorth Westlana.andrews@lls.nsw.gov.au0417 328 615
Jade AuldistRiverinajade.auldist@lls.nsw.gov.au0473 055 466
Liz DavisCentral Tablelandsliz.davis@lls.nsw.gov.au0427 452 662
TBCNorth Coast  
Daintry GerrandHunterdaintry.gerrand@lls.nsw.gov.au0429 198 472
Richard StephensGreater Sydneyrichard.stephens@lls.nsw.gov.au0436 803 337
02 4724 2151
TBCSouth East  
Bonnie MitchellCentral Westbonnie.mitchell@lls.nsw.gov.au0455 221 976
Kathleen BartlettMurraykathleen.bartlett@lls.nsw.gov.au0419 839 049
Marijke HartmanNorthern Tablelandsmarijke.hartman@lls.nsw.gov.au0409 540 350
Christine PlummerWesternchristine.plummer@lls.nsw.gov.au0408 241 200
Kaye GottschutzkeWesternkaye.gottschutzke@lls.nsw.gov.au  

NameManagement UnitEmail addressContact number
Amy-Lee ProvostBurnett Maryamylee.provost@bmrg.org.au(07) 4181 2999
Kellie HarmsworthMackay Whitsundaysaf@reefcatchments.com0456 182 348
Lene KnudsenSouth East Queenslandlene.k@hlw.org.au 0429 000 179
Vanessa SmoldersSouth East Queenslandvanessa.s@hlw.org.au0432 561 610
Renee OuldSouth East Queenslandrenee.o@hwl.org.au0455 341 682
Peter ArthoferBurdekinpeter.arthofer@nqdrytropics.com.au0488 675 033
07 4799 3500
Jayme BurkettCape Yorkjayme.burkett@capeyorknrm.com.au0477 720 359
Tom Crow      Wet Tropicstom.crow@terrain.org.au0468 365 840
Sheree JohnstonFitzroysheree.johnston@fba.org.au0448 219 982
Doug AllpassDesert Channelsdoug.allpass@dcq.org.au07 4652 7814
Mandy PickeringNorthern Gulfmandy.pickering@gulfsavannahrnm.org 
Clarissa FelderhofSouthern Gulfclarissa.felderhof@southerngulf.com.au0475 675 876
Vincent ParisiSouthern Queenslandvincent.parisi@sqlandscapes.org.au0428 759 235
Piper BeatonSouthern Queenslandpiper.beaton@sqlandscapes.org.au0459 985 073

NameManagement UnitEmail addressContact number
Lucy BullockNorthern Territorylucy.bullock@territorynrm.org.au0477 100 117

NameManagement UnitEmail addressContact number
Andrea TschirnerSouth Australian Arid Landsandrea.tschirner@sa.gov.au0438 720 469
Jade LeydenSouth Australian Arid Landsjade.leyden@sa.gov.au0438 990 399
Amy WrightEyre Peninsulaamy.wright@airep.com.au0467 004 555
Jim MeadKangaroo Islandjim.mead@sa.gov.au0437 172 877
Jeremy NelsonMurraylands and Riverlandjeremy.nelson@sa.gov.au(08) 8532 9100
0439 591 826
Denham EwensMurraylands and Riverlanddenham.ewens@sa.gov.au0419 093 665
Molly O'DeaNorthern and Yorkemolly.o’dea@sa.gov.au0456 538 224
Kieran Van HorenAlinytjara Wilurarakieran.vanhoren@anangu.com.au(08) 8956 2868
Leah KyriacouAlinytjara Wiluraraleah.kyriacou@sa.gov.au(08) 8463 4864
Donna BartschHills and Fleurieu Landscape Boarddonna.bartsch@sa.gov.au(08) 8391 7500
0456 047 526
Matthew HayLimestone Coastmatthew.hay@sa.gov.au0437 754 456

NameManagement UnitEmail addressContact number
Dr Adeel AfzalNorth NRMgmartinaafzal@nrmnorth.org.au03 6333 7791
Sushma BanalaNorth NRMsbanala@nrmnorth.org.au 
Tom O’MalleyNorth West NRMtomalley@cradlecoast.com(03) 6433 8440
0410 150 994
Tim AckroydSouth NRMtackroyd@nrmsouth.org.au0400 047 665
Yolanda HanuschSouth NRMyhanusch@nrmsouth.org.au0409 507 966

NameManagement UnitEmail addressContact number
Emma OrgillEast Gippslandemma.orgill@fevl.org.au0400 467 921
(03) 5154 2867
Darren BainNorth Centraldarren.bain@nccma.vic.gov.au0419 560 348
Katrina RastNorth Centralkatrina.rast@nccma.vic.gov.au0421 466186
Bronwyn BantWimmerabronwyn.bant@wcma.vic.gov.au0427 529 232
Alicia MerriamWimmeraalicia.merriam@wcma.vic.gov.au0455 166 445
Cameron FlowersMalleecameron.flowers@malleecma.com.au0427 509 663
Sam ShannonWest Gippslandsams@wgcma.vic.gov.au0409 944 114
Mary KnightGlenelg Hopkinsm.knight@ghcma.vic.gov.au0417 513 724
Lachlan CampbellNorth Eastlachlan.campbell@necma.vic.gov.au0400 852 482
(02) 6043 7672
Karen O’KeefeCorangamitekaren.okeefe@ccma.vic.gov.au0409 559 482
1800 002 262
Karen ThomasPort Phillip & Westernportkaren.thomas@melbournewater.com.au0427 480 170
Rhiannon SandfordGoulburn Brokenrhiannons@gbcma.vic.gov.au0429 964 609

NameManagement UnitEmail addressContact number
Jacquie LucasAvon River Basinjlucas@wheatbeltnrm.org.au0499 389 134
Aimee RayAvon River Basinaray@wheatbelt.nrm.org.au0420 363 052
David BroadhurstSwandavid.broadhurst@perthnrm.com(08) 9374 3306
Tibby TuckettSwantibby.tuckett@perthnrm.com(08) 9374 3335
Karen WhiteheadSouth Westkwhitehead@southwestnrm.org.au0436 328 454
Peter CliftonSouth Westpclifton@southwestnrm.org.au0409 680 900
Katrina SasseNorthern Agricultural Regionkatrina.sasse@nacc.com.au(08) 9938 0110
0447 361 335
Sam BurgesRangelandssamb@rangelandswa.com.au0427 626 222
Jardine MacdonaldRangelandsjardinem@rangelandswa.com.au0407 420 911
Victoria BennettSouth Coastvictoria@southcoastnrm.com.au(08) 9845 8537
0428 171 285
Johanna TomlinsonSouth Coastjohannat@southcoastnrm.com.au0429 960 810
Georgina WardenPeel-Harveygeorgina.warden@peel-harvey.org.au0448 530 044

Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitators (RALFs)

RALFs were funded by the department under the previous five-year phase of the NHT, as part of the $450 million Regional Land Partnerships program (2017-18 to 2022-23). This program concluded on 30 June 2023.

The RALF component of the program was allocated over $33 million, nationally, over the five-year period.

RALFs supported farmers, industry and community groups (including Landcare Groups) to adopt new and innovative sustainable agriculture practices. Establishing and building partnerships with these key groups was also central to the RALF role.

This video provides a short overview of the RALF role.

Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory

A lot of people do not know; the RALF is the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator

Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD

The RALF role to me is about networking with people, engaging and bringing them together so they can learn

Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory

Getting them to understand some practices, learn from each other, provide them with some knowledge, training and try to find out what they need.\

Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD

Really engage with them and build their capacity

Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory

We have got growers in a whole lot of different commodities. But we have also got training, knowledge symposiums and engagement activities

Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD

Helping them with grants, grant writing and running grants

Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory

The RALF role is the conduit for the agricultural community. We will get everyone together on the same page and they will learn different techniques from each other

Kellie Evans, Grazier, Atherton Tablelands QLD

The RALF role in my community is basically that social networking and I have gained so much knowledge from all different aspects that I can put back into my field

Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD

It is really engaging with people, supporting them and being there for them. It has been great working with people like Kellie and just seeing the growth, the capacity, and the love for learning

Kellie Evans, Grazier, Atherton Tablelands QLD

I had questions about trying to learn a little bit more about sustainability and soil health. Straight away she had three or four options. She had phone numbers and contacts of people she knew could answer the questions

Liza Maeasigan-Nguyen, Dragon fruit farmer, Northern Territory.

We see that we can work with the RALF when it comes to soil health and sustainability, because we know that there is a lot of things we need to learn

Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory

Everyone is keen to do the right thing in their area but they’re not necessarily aware of how to do it, that’s where we can draw on people’s knowledge from interstate and the RALF network itself

Mark Savina, Sugarcane farmer, Wet Tropics QLD

Mark: I have struck up a good relationship with them and a working relationship. I have got numbers in my phone that I know I can ring and say “Look, I’ve got a problem, who do I go to see?”. Because of their experience in the industry and that is what we need

Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory

I hope that this publication can really showcase what the RALF role is all about for the people in the region, for the farmers and pastoralists.

Vuong Nguyen, Dragon fruit farmer, Northern Territory

I am happy that I’m included, I feel involved with the RALF

Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD

I would love to see the publication for the RALF role engage people and make them understand what a RALF does

Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory

It is a non-commercial, non-biased, not trying to sell anything, independent advice on sustainable agriculture.

Vuong Nguyen, Dragon fruit farmer, Northern Territory

I think it has opened to Darwin and Australia. It opened to many people that care about their land and what they do

Mark Savina, Sugarcane farmer, Wet Tropics QLD

We need that person to coordinate help for us all the way along

Kellie Evans, Grazier, Atherton Tablelands QLD

Her phone number is on speed dial, it is in my favourites section of my phone. She is the first person I call

Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD

I love the RALF role because I am a people person

Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory

When you get to meet these people face to face and create real relationships and friendships.

Vuong Nguyen, Dragon fruit farmer, Northern Territory

It is a thumbs up for everyone

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Page last updated: 02 May 2025

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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