Over 120 young farmers and industry representatives attended BCG’s Climate Courage on Friday night. Held at the Birchip Leisure Centre, the free event was the launch of BCG’s Young Farmer Network and did not disappoint.
Attendees enjoyed a two-course meal catered by Terry Matheson from the Royal Mail Hotel in Wycheproof and the Birchip P-12 Home Economic students and heard from guest speaker, climate scientist and Young Farmer of the Year, Dr Anika Molesworth. Anika discussed how she is making changes on her farm in Broken Hill to combat climate change and the importance she places on farmers finding their own way to do so as well as how imperative she believes it is for farmers to share these stories.
BCG’s Drought Hub Officer Jenna Allan, who played a key role in organising the event, said the positive effects of events such as Climate Courage reverberate throughout the community: “BCG has always known connection is important in building resilience and the Covid-19 pandemic has only intensified the need for it. Climate Courage provided the perfect platform for connection and engagement. It had a little bit of everything, a thought-provoking guest speaker, great live music by Josh DeAraugo and great people. Young farmers from across the Wimmera, Mallee and North Central came together to share ideas and have some fun!
“Climate Courage was an excellent way to launch BCG’s Young Farmer Network which will act as a catalyst for growth, connectedness and inclusion amongst early career farmers and young local agribusiness professionals,” Ms Allan said.
To become involved in BCG’s Young Farmer Network call BCG on (03) 5492 2787 or email kelly@bcg.org.au
This project is co-funded by FRRR and the North West Broadacre Node of the Victorian Drought Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.