more.

The position has now been moved south to Hobart and will now be known as the Sustainable Farm Practices Facilitator.

For the last four and a half years Don Defenderfer, the federally funded Tasmanian State Landcare Co-ordinator has worked out of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association's (TFGA) office in Launceston.

Chris Oldfield, acting general manager of the TFGA, says the decision "is a terrible loss to the State's farmers".

"From being based at the TFGA offices in Launceston, Don was able to work closely with the farmers and create

good working relationships and achieve great outcomes.

"By being so close to farmers, Don was always aware of the arising needs through regular consultation with the TFGA staff and our 3000 farming members.

"The credibility and recognition that the Tasmanian farming community had with Landcare will essentially be lost by the Government’s decision to rename the

coordinator's role and move it to Hobart.

"The facilitator of Sustainable Farm Practices will find it harder to get the first hand exposure that is needed in this role by sitting in a Government office in Hobart.

"I wish the Sustainable Farm Practices facilitator all the best. I sincerely hope that the person taking the position will be willing to travel the State regularly to

spend time with the custodians of so much of our land, the Tasmanian farmers," Mr Oldfield says.