A GROUP of Wheatbelt farmers recently received funding to film a DVD on the benefits of tree cropping and is encouraging others to apply for a similar grant.
The funding was made available through Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management (NRM)’s Community Small Grants Incentive Scheme.
The Greener Horizons DVD was designed to encourage other farmers to investigate tree cropping as an option on their less-profitable soils.
It was put together with the help of AVONGRO Wheatbelt Tree Cropping.
Bencubbin farmer Michael Hogan was featured and said the grant helped make the project possible.
“We hope this DVD will give other farmers the confidence to consider tree cropping on poor farming soil,” Michael Hogan said.
Other beneficiaries from the grants program included the Mukinbudin Conservation Group to publish a book on rare butterflies.
The Northam Senior High School also received funding to develop a bush tucker garden and the River Conservation Society to study invertebrates at the Gwambygine Pool near York.
Next year's round of grants is now open and community groups, schools and other organisations are being encouraged to apply.
Preference will be given to first time applicants.
Priority will also be given to projects that meet Caring For Our Country targets listed in their 2010-11 Business Plan.
Funding of up to $15,000 per project is available and the closing date for applications is December 10.
For more information and to download an application form, visit www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/funding/csg