In a bid to revitalise and support the primary production sector in Byron Shire, Byron Shire Council’s Agricultural Extension Officer, Andrew Cameron, is looking to connect with farmers and landholders.
Council’s latest economic data has shown a decline in primary industry output in the Shire. ‘We are seeing more and more people selling up in the city, and moving to places like Byron Shire to live on the land on large “lifestyle lots”,’ said Mr Cameron.
‘Our larger lots are beautiful places to live, but they are also prime land for farming and food production. It can be an overwhelming task to take on land for the first time, and we are now offering a support service to help people overcome some of those challenges.’
Mr Cameron said part of his role is to help new landowners with ideas on how to manage the land productively and sustainably.
A former ‘tree changer’ himself, with more than eight years experience farming and running a small agricultural business locally, Andrew is committed to nurturing the local agricultural sector to become more sustainable and to embrace more regenerative practices.
‘I am offering free one-on-one consultations, with local farmers and landowners, to offer a range of support services, solutions, networking and funding opportunities,’ he said.
‘Council is committed to ensuring Byron Shire land is used in a productive, sustainable way. We want to ensure local farmers are able to work in a way that is profitable while achieving positive environmental outcomes,’ he said.
For enquiries, or to book a free on-farm consultation, please contact Andrew on 02 6626 7223 or email [email protected].
To sign up to the Byron Shire Farming Network newsletter visit www.byron.nsw.gov.au/byronshirefarmingnetwork.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
