Orchard Resilience Project
Tasmania’s orchard industry is a high-value sector that plays a vital role in regional communities.
Over the next three years, we will be working with Soils for Life to support orchardists in Tasmania to build more resilient farming systems. Working closely with growers and industry, the project focuses on practical, on-farm learning that builds confidence and supports informed decision-making.
At the centre of the project is a demonstration orchard site, where a grower is already implementing climate-smart and regenerative practices. This site offers a working model that will help us illustrate how and why these practices are working, while supporting the farmer to continue refining their management in response to a changing climate.
Our Approach
This project takes a farmer-led, collaborative approach, placing value on local knowledge, experience and peer-to-peer learning. The focus is not on research trials, but on real-world application, helping growers understand what works in their system and why.
Key activities include:
- Establishing an orchard demonstration site, working with a grower already implementing climate-smart practices;
- Supporting monitoring and data collection across soil, production and financial performance at the demonstration site;
- Delivering field days to showcase practices, share insights, and build practical skills;
- Facilitating a peer learning program, connecting growers to share experiences and learn from one another, and;
- Developing case studies and communication materials to share learnings more broadly.
PROJECT PILLARS
HELPFUL LINKS
Soils For Life Orchard Resilience ProjectBackground
Tasmania’s orchard industry is a high-value sector that plays a vital role in regional communities. The revenue from cherries, berries and other fruit brings in over $220 million to the state and Tasmania is recognised internationally for the high quality of our orchard produce.
However, growers are facing increasing challenges associated with climate variability, including frost risk, water availability, and maintaining soil health.
The Orchard Resilience Project is part of a broader national initiative led by Soils for Life, supporting orchardists across Australia to build resilience through improved management practices and stronger knowledge networks.
Demonstration sites are a key component of the project, providing growers with additional support for monitoring, data collection and analysis. This helps farmers better understand the ecological and economic impacts of their practices and supports more informed decision-making over time.
The project builds on and complements existing industry efforts, ensuring that activities add value to what is already happening on-farm and within the sector.
Project Goals
Establish 1 demonstration site
Deliver 3 field days
Deliver 1 peer-to-peer learning program
Support orchardists to adopt and refine climate-smart and regenerative practices
Improve understanding of soil health, water use and overall farm resilience
Enable growers to use data to inform management decisions
-
Image credit: Nathalie Laurence
-
-
This project is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Related News
-
10 September, 2024 1 Min Read
Giving soil health a boost
With the return of spring, the growing season starts gathering speed and NRM South welcomed the return of the spring growing season by hosting a workshop aimed at market gardeners...
Read More -
29 June, 2023 3 Min Read
Unlocking the Power of Soil: Soil Extension Project Cultivates Sustainable Land Management in Southern Tasmania
The Tasmanian NRM's Soil Extension Project has achieved remarkable success in raising awareness about soil health and promoting sustainable land management practices across Tasmania. Running from June 2022 to June...
Read More
