Alan Blackburn and Associates Consulting


Farm Managment and Agribusiness Consultants

Environmental Management Systems

Sustainability and Profitability

An important component of a farm business plan, involves planning a sustainable farming system.

Some people think sustainability means planting trees or fencing riparian areas.  Whilst these are commendable actions we believe the more important challenge involves planning a farming system that is both profitable and sustainable.  Fortunately ongoing research is showing many avenues for improving sustainability and profitability outcomes.

We work with clients to help them design and implement farming systems that are both profitable and sustainable.

Alan Blackburn as a principal in the Rural Resources Group Pty Ltd has co-managed the National Landcare Facilitator Project for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry from 1997-2005. He has run training courses for farmers, providing participants with the framework and tools to prepare an Environmental assessment and action plans for their property, as well as a process for monitoring, and if required, auditing their environmental management system. 

Alan Blackburn is author of the chapter “Sustainable Land Management” in the book “Financing Your Farm”.

Alan Blackburn has assisted individual farmers in developing sustainable farming systems.

Environmental Management Systems and the FARM Software System

To assist farmers with this aspect of business planning, Alan Blackburn and Associates Consulting worked with Oaksford Pty Ltd in developing the FARM Software System.  This is not to be confused with our “Farm Business Planner” software.  The FARM Software system is available from Oaksford Pty Ltd.  The software provides an integrated system for keeping farm paddock, NLIS, OH&S, Chemical, QA and Environmental records as well as a process for assessing, planning and monitoring Environmental Management and OH&S systems.

The FARM Software System is being used in Victoria where a “trial” version is being given to farmers participating in the “Pathways to Industry” project.  It is also being used in farmer training programs in WA and Northern Territory.  Contact us if you are interested in purchasing the FARM Software system.