Climate Smart Agriculture

AFTER THE VIRUS - IN S.E.QUEENSLAND

GUEST: Verity Morgan-Schmidt – farmer and former (founding) CEO of Farmers for Climate Action

Verity started life as a farm girl in the sheep and wheat country of Western Australia. In a career that has thus far spanned remote shearing sheds, auction rooms, media conferences and Parliament House, Verity has worked in both the corporate world and agricultural advocacy: rallying farmers and rural communities to make their voices heard on a wide range of issues; including climate change. Verity holds a Master of Arts (Politics) in Sustainability and is committed to collaborations to deliver climate change solutions both behind and beyond the farm gate. Verity, her husband and three small daughters currently farm beef and meat goats in S.E. Queensland’s beautiful Mary Valley.

INTRODUCTION TO THIS EPISODE:

My guest in this podcast episode is Verity Morgan-Schmidt the former (and founding) CEO of the not-for profit, Farmers for Climate Action organisation. Verity, her husband and three small daughters currently farm beef and meat goats in Queensland’s beautiful Mary Valley.

Verity believes that rural and regional Australia stands at a crossroads. With clear natural advantages, a history of world-class research and innovation, and talented people, the country has a once in a generation opportunity to build a future of resilience and sustainable growth. But she also points out that these opportunities cannot be realised by accident. She thinks that Australia in 2021 is staring down the barrel of critical challenges which can be ameliorated – but only if we act now.

In this interview, Verity describes some of those challenges, particularly as they affect the agricultural sector. She talks across many topics, including climate change, and the increasing risk of more extreme weather events, the efficiency of nitrogen-use in production systems, food losses and waste and - the erosion of connections between the rural and urban sector. Importantly, she also offers a range of solutions building to a pragmatic vision to help develop a resilient, climate smart agriculture sector in this country and region, starting now.

SUMMARY OF MAIN INTERVIEW TALKING POINTS:

• Verity’s personal and professional background as it has shaped her views on climate smart agriculture.
• Taking effective action on uncontrolled climate change from within the agriculture sector.
• The value of restoring our landscapes and regenerating our regions.
• The importance to agriculture of closing the Australian urban- rural divide.
• A ‘joined up’ or systemic approach to managing agricultural sector change.
• The role of politics and government in responding to sector challenges.
• Verity’s vision and suggested steps toward achieving a future climate smart agriculture sector.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN OR SUPPORTIVE OF THE DISCUSSION:

• ABARE estimates of climate change impacts on farm production value over the past 20 years.
• Regional Horizons: Farming Communities Leading the Recovery (2020) produced by Farmers for Climate Action/Verity Morgan-Schmidt. A 16-page report covering many of the issues discussed in the interview.
• Farmers for Climate Action: ‘a movement of farmers, agricultural leaders and rural Australians working to ensure farmers are a key part of the solution to climate change. And working across the agricultural and climate sectors to manage risks and find opportunities to adapt to, and mitigate, climate change.’

VERITY’S PRINCIPLES FOR INDIVIDUAL ACTION TO ACHIEVE CHANGE:

1. Own the space. Whether you’re a stay at home Mum, a retired farmer, or a passionate gardener - start by realising that your voice does matter. Even if you feel inadequate and even if you live in a safe seat. Don’t allow your power to be taken away from you.
2. Understand your personal Theory of Change. Are you best placed to drive change within a particular community? Perhaps a community of faith, perhaps a business network, perhaps it’s a sporting group. Or, do you have a unique story which needs to be shared? A personal relationship with a business leader or elected representative? Understand how and where your contributions can be most impactful.
3. Get informed. Now you know that you have power, and you know how you’re going to use it: build your own knowledge base on the most strategic issues for you to move forward on. Is your MP currently reviewing a piece of legislation? Let your community know. Perhaps your expertise will be in lobbying state Government for economic diversification resourcing for the Darling Downs community? Perhaps it will be building your knowledge on agro-ecology and engaging with your supply chains to exert this knowledge. Own the space, know your power, grow your knowledge.
4. Build bridges - not walls. Have you started to think of people who aren’t advocating for climate action as ‘other’? Stop. Reach out. Listen. What do they need? Is it personal economic security? Is it updated information? Is it business certainty? Understand what drives them. Then take small steps forward - together. The politics of fear has polarised Australia on the issue of climate - it’s up to us to reverse it.
5. Just start. There will never be a perfect moment. Start where you are. Start today - even if you feel imperfect, even if you feel inadequate. Just start.

GUEST AND CONTACT DETAILS:

Guest: Verity Morgan-Schmidt

Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE):

T 07 4639 2135 E [e-mail] WEB FACEBOOK

Production:

Produced for HOPE by Andrew Nicholson. This episode recorded in Toowoomba, S.E. Queensland, Australia on 18th February 2021

Incidental Music: James Nicholson