Home | Events | Publications | Media Releases | About Us | Contact Us

Alphabetical Index AAlphabetical Index BAlphabetical Index CAlphabetical Index DAlphabetical Index EAlphabetical Index FAlphabetical Index GAlphabetical Index HAlphabetical Index IAlphabetical Index JAlphabetical Index KAlphabetical Index LAlphabetical Index MAlphabetical Index NAlphabetical Index OAlphabetical Index PAlphabetical Index QAlphabetical Index RAlphabetical Index SAlphabetical Index TAlphabetical Index UAlphabetical Index VAlphabetical Index WAlphabetical Index XAlphabetical Index YAlphabetical Index Z

Farming for the Future

Farming for the Future is about promoting sustainable agricultural production in Western Australia. It is working closely with industry and researchers to define sustainable farm-level agricultural practices and with industry groups to encourage the adoption of sustainable farm practices. Farming for the Future also works with marketers and processors to ensure this effort is meeting market requirements.

Why do we need to demonstrate our sustainability?

International markets and local consumers want to be confident that their goods have been produced in a sustainable manner. Farming for the Future aims to provide a coordinated approach for Western Australian producers to meet this demand by helping industries become more sustainable. Farming for the Future is also in part a response to the State Sustainability Strategy.

Find out more by downloading Introduction to Farming for the Future [PDF 812KB] Farming for the Future Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) [PDF 2.1MB]

^top

What is a sustainable farm business?

A sustainable farm business is described by Farming for the Future as a business that shows responsibility for the sustainability of its natural, social and financial resources.

The sustainable farm practices promoted by Farming for the Future cover the following business activities:

Farm Economic & Social Sustainability

Business planning

Economic stability

Skills development

People management

Occupational health and safety

Quality of life

Heritage and culture

Natural Resource Sustainability

Native vegetation & wildlife protection & enhancement

Soil & land management

Fertility management

Salinity management

Acidity management

Surface & groundwater management

Water use efficiency

Waste management

Chemical & fuel management

Energy management

Air quality

Production risk management

Biosecurity

Animal health & welfare

Livestock identification & traceability

Weed risk management

Insect pest management

Plant & animal disease risk management

Feral & pest animal management

Food safety

To find out more about these elements you can download the Farming for the Future Self-Assessment Tool

^top

How are we recognising sustainable farm businesses?

Farming for the Future is supporting individual producers and industries to adopt the current recommended practices that have been identified or developed through a strategic consultation process.

Producers can be recognised as sustainable by participating in a recognised industry-based program. These range from environmental management and quality assurance systems to self-assessment tools or participation in industry programs. Many of these programs are compatible with international programs.

How can you get involved?

There are two ways:

  1. If you are in an industry program, internally or externally audited, then speak with the Farming for the Future team or program coordinator about becoming recognised by Farming for the Future.

  2. If you are not part of these programs or in an industry where these programs do not exist, then you can complete a Farming for the Future Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) as a part of your usual business planning process. This can then be returned to Farming for the Future to receive recognition.

^top

To contact us:

Farming for the Future
Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
Email: f4f@agric.wa.gov.au
Fax: (08) 9367 4265

John Noonan
Phone: (08) 9368 3123 or 0404 819 501
Email: jnoonan@agric.wa.gov.au

Jon Warren
Phone: (08) 9368 3361
Email: jdwarren@agric.wa.gov.au

Danielle England
Phone: (08) 9368 3187 or 0429 102 176
Email: dengland@agric.wa.gov.au

Susie Murphy White
Phone: (08) 9368 3929 or 0427 983 542
Email: smurphywhite@agric.wa.gov.au

Theo Nabben (Bunbury Office)
Phone: (08) 9780 6208
Email: tnabben@agric.wa.gov.au

Marie Shanks (Northam Office)
Phone: (08) 9690 2229
Email: mshanks@agric.wa.gov.au

See also

  • Production and environmental legislation : a guide for primary producers : July 2007
    A brief overview of legislation affecting agricultural land management in Western Australia. The legislation listed is State legislation unless otherwise noted. Landholders may use the guide to gain a general understanding of their legal obligations to manage the environment and as a starting point from which to develop a legal register for an Environmental Management System.

^top

Page updated: 22 January 2008

Content ID 6818