Nationally recognised soil extension program on offer in the NT

A nationally recognised training program aimed at building the capacity of the Northern Territory’s agricultural community in managing soils is on offer in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs from May 2022.

The program will be facilitated by Territory Natural Resource Management (TNRM) who will collaborate with The University of Queensland (UQ Skills) to deliver the Sustainable Soil Management skillset from the Diploma of Agriculture.

TNRM’s Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator Emily Hinds said the program aimed to build the skills and capacity of the NT’s agricultural sector in soil knowledge and management.

“Northern Territory soils are some of the most fragile in the world, and our agricultural communities depend on this natural resource for economic viability,” she said.

“Participants will be supported and encouraged throughout the project to monitor their soils and apply best practice soil management techniques.”

The program is being delivered as part of the Smart Farms Small Grants from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s National Landcare Program. The funding will provide professional development skills and training to sample soils, interpret results and manage soils for production and sustainability.

The training will be offered as a blended model with online learning offerings alongside face-to-face training sessions on property with lecturers from UQ Skills delivered in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs over 12 months. The face-to-face sessions will incorporate practical workshops and on ground demonstration.

This project is set to build on other TNRM projects including the NT Soil Consortium activities, working with partners for healthy NT soils.

The first of the two day sessions for each region are:

DARWIN: Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th May

KATHERINE: Thursday 26th and Friday 27th May

ALICE SPRINGS: Monday 30th Tuesday 31st May

For more information or register here