Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory
A lot of people do not know; the RALF is the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator
Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD
The RALF role to me is about networking with people, engaging and bringing them together so they can learn
Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory
Getting them to understand some practices, learn from each other, provide them with some knowledge, training and try to find out what they need.\
Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD
Really engage with them and build their capacity
Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory
We have got growers in a whole lot of different commodities. But we have also got training, knowledge symposiums and engagement activities
Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD
Helping them with grants, grant writing and running grants
Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory
The RALF role is the conduit for the agricultural community. We will get everyone together on the same page and they will learn different techniques from each other
Kellie Evans, Grazier, Atherton Tablelands QLD
The RALF role in my community is basically that social networking and I have gained so much knowledge from all different aspects that I can put back into my field
Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD
It is really engaging with people, supporting them and being there for them. It has been great working with people like Kellie and just seeing the growth, the capacity, and the love for learning
Kellie Evans, Grazier, Atherton Tablelands QLD
I had questions about trying to learn a little bit more about sustainability and soil health. Straight away she had three or four options. She had phone numbers and contacts of people she knew could answer the questions
Liza Maeasigan-Nguyen, Dragon fruit farmer, Northern Territory.
We see that we can work with the RALF when it comes to soil health and sustainability, because we know that there is a lot of things we need to learn
Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory
Everyone is keen to do the right thing in their area but they’re not necessarily aware of how to do it, that’s where we can draw on people’s knowledge from interstate and the RALF network itself
Mark Savina, Sugarcane farmer, Wet Tropics QLD
Mark: I have struck up a good relationship with them and a working relationship. I have got numbers in my phone that I know I can ring and say “Look, I’ve got a problem, who do I go to see?”. Because of their experience in the industry and that is what we need
Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory
I hope that this publication can really showcase what the RALF role is all about for the people in the region, for the farmers and pastoralists.
Vuong Nguyen, Dragon fruit farmer, Northern Territory
I am happy that I’m included, I feel involved with the RALF
Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD
I would love to see the publication for the RALF role engage people and make them understand what a RALF does
Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory
It is a non-commercial, non-biased, not trying to sell anything, independent advice on sustainable agriculture.
Vuong Nguyen, Dragon fruit farmer, Northern Territory
I think it has opened to Darwin and Australia. It opened to many people that care about their land and what they do
Mark Savina, Sugarcane farmer, Wet Tropics QLD
We need that person to coordinate help for us all the way along
Kellie Evans, Grazier, Atherton Tablelands QLD
Her phone number is on speed dial, it is in my favourites section of my phone. She is the first person I call
Evizel Seymour, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Wet Tropics QLD
I love the RALF role because I am a people person
Emily Hinds, Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator (RALF), Northern Territory
When you get to meet these people face to face and create real relationships and friendships.
Vuong Nguyen, Dragon fruit farmer, Northern Territory
It is a thumbs up for everyone
RALFs were funded and supported by the department as part of the $450 million Regional Land Partnerships (RLP) program over five years (2017-18 to 2022-23).
The RALF component of the program was allocated over $33 million, nationally, over five years.
RALFs worked to build the future of sustainable agriculture in Australia. There was a RALF in all 52 NRM regions based across Australia. Their role was unique. They were out in the community assisting stakeholders and were the key contacts for landcarers to learn about sustainable agriculture.
RALFs supported farmers, industry and community groups (including Landcare Groups) to adopt new and innovative sustainable agriculture practices. Establishing and building partnerships with these key groups was central to the RALF role. RALFs contributed to the RLP program’s agricultural outcomes.
The Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator (SAF) program builds on the valuable work of the RALFs. Learn about the SAFs and find the SAF in your region here.