The NRAC Project: Agriculture and the Environment – Facing the challenges and making the changes is an initiative of the Murrumbidgee Horticulture Council Inc (MHC), a not-for-profit organisation based in Griffith, New South Wales which represents the interests of horticulturists and high security irrigators in the Murrumbidgee Region. The project is funded by The Natural Resources Advisory Council NSW (NRAC), an independent body reporting to the Minister for Climate Change, Environment & Water.

In 2007, the partnership between MHC and NRAC was established to promote the sustainable management of natural resources in the Riverina. The project’s focus has been on engaging women and young irrigators in achieving specific, visible and achievable outcomes in chemical compliance (see Training and Workshops) and water benchmarking (see Benchmarking).

Building on existing partnerships and achievements in natural resource management, associated industry partners include MIA EnviroWise, The Young Irrigators Network, RGA Environmental Champions and the former Riverina Agricultural Women (RAW). Working collaboratively, these partnerships have developed information networks, access to services, accredited face-to-face and on-line (virtual) training, funding opportunities and support systems, to encourage involvement and interest in the environment and on-farm safety.

Engaging the community (see Art Competition), developing a chemical compliance portal for rural women (see Links) and water benchmarking and reporting for young irrigators (see Benchmarking) were the three distinct components targeted to achieve the Objectives of the project.