Australia MTG - Australian Agroforestry Foundation
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The MTG regional Australian course

In practice, the MTG courses are regionally based educational programs in agroforestry, and vegetation design and management for farmers with the aim of:

  • improving the design and management of agroforestry and native vegetation projects on participants’ own properties.
  • helping participants understand the interests of governments, catchment authorities, industry groups and community organisations in agroforestry and native vegetation management and encourage mutually beneficial partnerships.
  • facilitating the involvement of participants in the development and promotion of agroforestry and native vegetation management within their region by providing a wide range of knowledge, skills, experiences and networking opportunities

Each regional MTG course is presented as a partnership between AAF, the participants and one or a number of regional partner groups or organisations. The regional partners maybe landowner groups or networks, government agencies, catchment management authorities, non-government organisations (such as Greening Australia, Landcare groups and Australian Forest Grower branches) or industry bodies.

Whilst every program is different, reflecting the different issues and opportunities in each region, there is a commonality in purpose and style. To ensure consistency and uniformity across Australia, while at the same time allowing individual regions adapt the content to suit their particular situations the MTG program has developed a framework for regional courses to follow. How regions ‘fill-in’ the basic framework is flexible and depends on regional land management constraints, the interests of regional partners and the requirements and interests of the participants.

Although the basic framework sets out 7-8 one-day sessions totalling around 50 hours, regions may wish to adapt this structure to suit their own circumstances (such as a mix of evening seminars and afternoon field trips). In order to allow for participatory learning and reflection the program should be delivered over a period of at least a month, preferably two. This also allows time for adapting the course content and for participants to build relationships within the group.

How to become a Master TreeGrower

We run 4 or 5 MTG courses every year. Most are delivered as a partnership with regional, state or community groups and require some financial support or sponsorship. The cost varies depending on location and funding. All participants receive a MTG Hat, Measurement Tape, Badge, Gate Sign and Certificate.

To see what’s involved in helping us run one in your area contact Rowan.

 


 

MTG PROGRAM OUTLINE

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1. Mastering trees on farms

Multipurpose farm tree design and management.Participant aspirations and interests. Visits to leading local examples of farmers growing trees.

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2. Tree products and markets

Explore markets for tree products and services such as timber, biofuels, bushfoods, essential oils and carbon. Visit processing plants and meet buyers.

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3. Tree measurement

Presentations and exercises in tree and forest measurement including the use of the Australian MTG tape. Measuring tree products and environmental services including carbon.

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4. Tree growth and management

How trees and forests grow. Ways to improve on-farm benefits and product value. Establishment, thinning, pruning and harvesting methods. More farm visits.

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5. Role of trees on farms

Trees for shade, shelter, soil conservation, salinity control, water quality, soil fertility, wildlife habitat and aesthetics. More farm visits and expert presenters.

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6. Multipurpose design & economics

Planning your revegetation and forest management projects. Rules and regulations. The economics of trees on farms and the risks. More farm visits.

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7. Graduation and the future

Review available institutional and commercial support, additional information and training needs and the role of local and national tree grower networks. Participants receive their MTG Gate Signs, Badges and Certificates.

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Join a growing community of practitioners as we build a resilient and thriving landscape; and where we collaborate to share information, improve our skills, and actively work on advancing our collective knowledge of agroforestry and all it embraces.

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