Pages tagged "Agriculture & Land"
Karin Stark | Director of Farm Renewables Consulting
Karin Stark lives on a cotton and wheat farm in Narromine, NSW, giving her a first-hand perspective of the inherent energy challenges faced by farmers. Energy is one of the fastest-growing costs for farmers, and Karin's focus is on helping them to significantly reduce those costs and their emissions at the same time by facilitating the adoption of on-farm renewables.
"Energy was the highest operating cost on our farm, so in 2018 we installed Australia’s largest solar diesel irrigation pump, which has saved us 45% on diesel costs and stopped 500 tonnes of emissions from entering the atmosphere each year."
Read more from our interview with Karin below.
What is Farm Renewables Consulting?
Farm Renewables Consulting is an Australian owned business, based in Central West NSW, that's working with Government, community groups, and private industry, on the premise that shared stories and lived experience is one of the best ways to create meaningful change.
Karin has a background in Environmental Management and the design, delivery, and evaluation of community-based social marketing. Being a passionate advocate in this area, she also founded and convenes the annual National Renewables in Agriculture Conference and Exhibition.
Why is Farm Renewables Consulting taking climate action?
Farmers are on the front line of climate change, with fires, floods, and drought impacting the sustainability of farm businesses. Regional Australia and the agricultural sector also have massive opportunities in the transition to decarbonise the energy sector.
Farm Renewables Consulting helps to build communities of practice, particularly through the National Renewables in Agriculture Conference and increases knowledge to enable farmers to adopt renewables and see a successful transition to a clean energy future.
How is Farm Renewables Consulting taking climate action?
The driving force behind the decision to go solar was that energy was our highest operating cost on the farm. We were spending over $300,000 each year to run groundwater irrigation bores used to water our summer crops.
The 500kW solar-diesel hybrid pump was launched in 2018 to much media and community interest. It is on target for the system to be paid back in five years.
The environmental benefits are something we're proud of, with 500 tonnes of CO2 no longer entering the atmosphere each year. It's important we continue to share our story, to give other farmers the confidence to move forward to a low carbon future.
Is there a project Farm Renewables Consulting is currently delivering that you are excited about?
The 2022 National Renewables in Agriculture Conference will be the third time the event has been held. From the inaugural event in 2019, where 250 people came together to share stories of renewables on farms, the event has since grown to 350 in 2021.
We expect the 2022 Conference to be even bigger and better and for stories of innovative farmers to continue to be highlighted through the event and in the lead-up, via media and social media.
What real-world opportunities have you uncovered by taking climate action?
The installation of our 500kW solar-diesel pump led to the convening of the National Renewables in Agriculture Conference, the only event in Australia that brings those interested in agriculture and energy together.
What action would you like to see Australia take on climate?
We'd like to see the Federal Government take action on climate change by:
- Putting a price on carbon;
- Ensuring that climate change is depoliticised;
- Supporting and incentivising renewables and storage;
- Assisting Farmers for Climate Action's Repower Plan;
- Investing in knowledge and funds for community-owned energy (Helen Haine's report); and
- Implementing stronger R&D and commercialisation of cleaner energy sources.
Debbie Dowden | Owner and operator of Challa Station
Debbie and Ash Dowden own and operate Challa Station, a beef cattle enterprise based in the Southern Rangelands of Western Australia. Debbie says “We understand the need to rehydrate the Southern Rangelands, repair historical degradation and restore the natural environment”. Debbie is looking to create a Rural Women of the Year Project that will quantify our natural capital and develop a wholistic plan to increase it in the long term.
Read more about Challa Station story here.
Can you tell us about AG Dowden and Co.?
AG Dowden and Co has owned and operated Challa Station since 1888. Challa was a merino sheep station that has recently transitioned to a beef cattle enterprise because of wild dog predation on small stock. In 2015 AG Dowden and Co purchased Windimurra Station, a property that had suffered significant overgrazing for many years. The two properties are run as a single pastoral business unit.
Why is AG Dowden and Co. taking climate action?
We understand the need to rehydrate the Southern Rangelands, repair historical degradation and restore the natural environment. We have recently initiated a Human Induced Regeneration carbon project on our property and this has provided the financial capital to improve the natural capital. We hope that our project that will encourage other Southern Rangelands Pastoralists to take climate action. In addition, my husband’s family is 5th generation on this property, so in it for the long haul. We understand and implement long term projects. We have four children and we need to improve the word for their sake, and for the sake of future generations.
Can you tell us about your commitments to climate action?
In 2002 we held an SQF environmental accreditation. This has lapsed now but it demonstrates that we are not new to building natural capital. We can already demonstrate that we are a carbon neutral red meat business and we sell our excess carbon credits. We have ongoing ground work and plans for more that will assist in large scale rehydration and restoration of the rangelands.
Is there a project you are working on that you are excited about?
I am interested in developing a 'Rural Women of the Year' Project that will quantify our natural capital and develop a wholistic plan to increase it in the long term. This would be a groundbreaking project that would highlight the positive work being done in the Southern Rangelands.
What real-world opportunities have you uncovered from taking climate action today?
HIR Carbon projects and the possibility for soil carbon projects to be developed in the future. These exciting opportunities could radically change perspectives of the Southern Rangelands.
What climate action would you like to see Australia take?
Monetise natural capital as a resource.