Clarence Valley Council’s Sustainable Agriculture Small Grants Program supports local farmers in adopting land management practices that benefit not only their farms but also the wider community and natural environment.

Farmers are invited to submit project proposals aimed at addressing environmental challenges or enhancing the health and productivity of their land. Funding will not be provided for capital purchases or new business ventures unless the project demonstrates a clear environmental benefit.

Each financial year, a limited number of grants of up to $5,000 (including GST) are available for eligible projects. Funding is awarded through a competitive process based on merit.

Before starting an application, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the program guidelines in full and contact Council’s program representatives if they have any questions. Enquiries can be submitted via email, or you can email a request to book a 30-minute phone consultation.  Contact details can be found on the council grant information webpage.

The Sustainable Agriculture Small Grants Program aims to collaborate with primary producers to:

• Encourage and support the uptake of improved land management techniques.
• Strengthen knowledge and skills in natural resource management and sustainable farming practices.
• Enhance on-farm biodiversity, water quality, and soil health

To be eligible and have your application considered, you must:

1. Be a landholder, a group of landholders, or a farming group/association actively operating on land zoned Rural (RU1, RU2) within the Clarence Valley Council Local Government Area. If you do not own the land, you must obtain written consent from the landowner and/or any relevant authority for the proposed project activities.
2. Align your project with at least one of the program’s stated objectives.
3. Complete all required sections of the application form.
4. Provide itemised quotes for all goods and services for which you are requesting funding. You must also include quotes for any costs you are covering as part of your contribution. For any goods or services over $3,000, it is recommended that you obtain at least two written quotes.  
5. Match or exceed the grant amount with a financial and/or in-kind contribution.
6. Obtain any necessary approvals to carry out your project—for example, a controlled activity approval for works within 40 metres of a waterway. 
7. Ensure all insurance liabilities are considered — Council has no insurance responsibilities for applicants’ projects. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that they, and any contractors they engage, hold all relevant and adequate insurance coverage.
8. Agree to collaborate with Council staff throughout the implementation of the project.
9. Commit to continuing improved land management practices beyond the completion of the grant-funded project.

The following are examples of activities that may be funded under the program (this list is not exhaustive):

Fencing and Infrastructure - Projects that reduce land degradation and improve water quality, livestock health, and biodiversity, such as:

• Internal fencing to support rotational grazing or exclude livestock from degraded areas.
• Fencing to protect waterways or areas of high biodiversity value.
• Stock watering infrastructure to support rotational grazing or livestock exclusion (e.g. troughs, pipes, header tanks).

Revegetation Projects - Planting local native species in areas such as agricultural drains, paddocks (for windbreaks or habitat), constructed wetlands, or dams.

Weed Management - Control of problematic agricultural weeds in high biodiversity areas, or trials of more environmentally friendly weed control methods in production zones.

Emissions Reduction - Activities that reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane-reducing feed additives, adoption of renewable energy solutions, regenerative agriculture practices, enhanced fertiliser efficiency, and strategies to increase soil carbon sequestration.

Soil Health Initiatives - Production and application of sustainable soil amendments like compost or biochar using farm or local waste materials.

Biological Controls - Introduction of beneficial organisms (e.g. dung beetles, predatory insects) alongside reduced chemical use to support ecological balance.

Innovative Practices - Trialling regenerative agriculture techniques to assess their effectiveness under local farming conditions.

Pest Animal Management - Strategic control of priority pest animals to protect environmental or productive values.

Habitat Enhancement - Installation of artificial hollows or nest boxes to support beneficial native wildlife, such as rodent predators in orchards or tree crops.

Environmentally Beneficial Earthworks - Small-scale earthworks with clear environmental outcomes, including sediment traps, constructed wetlands, or low-impact soil interventions (e.g. Yeoman’s plough).

Education and Capacity Building - Workshops, training, or other activities that build skills and knowledge in sustainable agriculture and natural resource management.

Note: Funding will not be provided for business start-ups or capital purchases unless a clear and significant environmental benefit can be demonstrated.