27 Traceability the key to success Vol 19 No 23, June 15, 2020
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Farmers must drive change Colin Williscroft
C
colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz
ATCHMENT groups offer farmers the chance to take the lead in freshwater quality enhancement while maintaining profits. In the process they encourage thriving farming communities, presenters told a Beef + Lamb eforum. Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective chairman Roger Dalrymple said community catchment groups let farmers make change from the bottom up rather than having it forced on them from the top down, which has often been the approach. Farmrs in catchment groups can help lift knowledge and education and have more control of pressure to make environmental improvements while ensuring their businesses remain sound. Three of the six groups represented were formed in response to regulations introduced by regional councils. Hurunui District Landcare Group co-ordinator Josh Brown says his group can be traced back to the implementation of the Canterbury Land and Water Plan. When the plan was rolled out it became apparent it did not properly recognise the lesser environmental impact of dryland farmers. The group sought to give sheep and beef farmers a voice and pull together and put data behind changes to the plan they believed were necessary, which was partially successful. Members then broadened their focus from the policy and looked to achieve more changes on the
CONNECT: Catchment groups need to involve whole comminities, not just farmers, to be successful, Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective chairman Roger Dalrymple says.
ground, where a lot of good can be done, Brown said. Individual groups need a coordinated approach to succeed. King Country River Care co-ordinator Anna Nelson says catchment groups should consider pooling members’ resources and appoint a facilitator. “Pay someone to do that work and earlier rather than later. Farmers are busy people and having a paid person means action happens.” Western Bay of Plenty farmer Rick Burke, who helped establish the Project Parore group, says having a facilitator helps bed down a plan of attack and there are usually people in catchment communities with the expertise. It’s important to do forensic environmental work early on
because farmers will ask what the problems are, so being able to provide data will be a big step forward in getting them onside. North Otago Sustainable Land Management Group chairman Peter Mitchell, whose group is an incorporated society, says having the backing of a legal framework provides accountability that gives assurance to potential funding bodies. “So it’s not a political or lobby group. Having a good management focus helps to connect with other groups in the community.” Dalrymple says catchment groups must be driven by farmers and setting grandiose goals will be self-defeating. “You’ll just chase people away. Take small steps and include everyone.”
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Farmers are busy people and having a paid person means action happens. Anna Nelson King Country River Care
It’s a message supported by North Otago Sustainable Land Management Group chairman Peter Mitchell. “Don’t start too big and think you’re going to change the world.” Dalrymple encourages groups to be based around communities, whether they be schools or river catchments, where those involved know everyone else.
“People have to be able to connect.” That means getting whole communities involved, no matter where they might approach issues from the start. “You’ve got to connect with the wider community, not just farmers.” His group has deliberately invited activists to meetings. “They might not come to all of but you have to get them involved.” Including Maori is also part of the equation. “You haven’t got a community catchment without involving iwi.” Fairlie farmer and Upper Opihi/ Opuha Catchment Group member Mark Adams says new groups should start with an open mind and that includes the facilitator, so everyone comes up to speed together. Initially, group members should be prepared for a massive data collecting exercise and it’s important to take an honest approach towards that. “That can be unpleasant when you find yourself on the wrong side of the numbers.” Getting the backing of farmers who might initially be sceptical can also pay off, he says. “If you work with people who are belligerent you can turn them into champions.” Dalrymple says from what he has seen, farmers are not only up for the challenge they are embracing it. Not only are farmers in his group doing more river water testing than the regional council they want to out-do what other farmers in their area are achieving. “When you put up the results of different tributaries in the catchment the competition is amazing.”