Karen Goldsmith knows a thing or two about the impacts of drought on a community.   

The mother of two has been directly involved in the agriculture industry her entire life. From growing up on a farm to studying Agriculture at university and working in the industry her whole career, she has seen first-hand how tough the past five years have been for her community, and she wants to help out to do something about it.

Karen is one of three community engagement officers working with the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) to help roll out the State Government’s Drought Employment Program in the west of the catchment.

The Drought Employment Program aims to provide drought-affected people the opportunity to earn off-farm income to support their families and rural communities, contribute towards natural resource management outcomes and increase their confidence and skills for the future. It is part of the government’s overall Drought Support Package.

“Droughts don’t just affect farmers, they affect the whole community,” Karen said.

“I have seen shops close, people lose their jobs and families leave town. It’s devastating.

“The Drought Recovery Program and this specific employment program can make a big difference not just to farming families, but to the wider community as well.”

Karen has hit the ground running and is meeting with organisations and businesses to scope out future projects.

“My role is to support farmers in the Donald, Charlton, St Arnaud and Wycheproof areas who are facing the worst of the difficult conditions,” she said.

“I am working with the whole community to find suitable projects for our DEP crews to work on, with an aim of finding a suite of projects that will ensure our farmers have off-farm paid work.

“I am looking for projects around pest, plant and animal control, planting and watering revegetation sites, fencing, track and public facility maintenance GPS mapping of weeds, minor erosion control (eg revegetation), improving soil health and monitoring and evaluation of environmental assets.

“Call me or contact the North Central CMA if you have any projects that fit that bill. We are happy to help you deliver them.”   Call Karen on 0427 544 111 or contact the North Central CMA on 03 5448 7124 or via email on info@nccma.vic.gov.au or visit www.nccma.vic.gov.au