The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) congratulates Victorian farm forester Andrew Stewart who has been named this year’s Bob Hawke Landcare Award winner.
“It’s exciting to see a farm forester win such a coveted award and garner this sort of recognition for their work with trees on their property, which works in conjunction with a prime lamb business,” CEO of AFPA, Ross Hampton said today.
At his property in Victoria’s Otway Ranges, Andrew Stewart has planted around 50,000 trees and shrubs taking the property from 3 per cent woody vegetation to 18 per cent without impacting on agricultural production. He has identified the lower quality land on his property establishing plantations through family tree planting days over 25 years.
“Aside from the harvest providing additional farm income, Andrew has recognised the other benefits of farm forestry in terms of protection for stock, reducing soil salinity and improving land quality,” Mr Hampton said.
“As he increases trees on the property, Andrew is able to offset greenhouse gases from sheep production which allowing his property become carbon neutral.
“The fact Landcare has named a farm forester for this award is particularly exciting because it promotes the broad benefits of farm forestry practices which creates timber that is very much in demand right now, and demand will only increase in the future.
“Farm businesses nationally, but particularly in strategic forestry hub regions should seriously consider following Andrew Stewart in making trees a part of their business. The benefits are exponential.
“Congratulations to Andrew Stewart and to Landcare to highlighting such an important farm practice for Australia,” Mr Hampton concluded.
See a video showcasing Andrew Stewart’s work here.
The original media release is here: AFPA congratulates Andrew Stewart – Farm forester and National Landcare Award winner