The Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, Brian Wightman, today hosted Australian cricket legend, Glenn McGrath, at Agfest.

Mr McGrath is attending the popular Tasmanian agricultural event as the Ambassador for Australian Year of the Farmer - a year-long celebration of Australian farmers' contribution to the nation.

Mr Wightman and Mr McGrath visited the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment stall at Agfest, to promote some of the programs DPIPWE runs to support farmers.

"As someone born and raised in country New South Wales, Glenn McGrath has a strong connection to life on the land," Mr Wightman said.

"As a sporting legend, and more recently, a fantastic community and charity leader, Glenn's star-quality is immense.

"It's fantastic to have him here at Agfest, devoting his time and attention to supporting Tasmanian agriculture.

"Agfest is always a special and exciting time for Tasmania's farming community.

"To have Glenn McGrath here sharing ideas and sampling what our primary producers and Government agencies have to offer shows just how popular and significant Agfest has become on the national stage," he said.

The programs and agencies being showcased at AGFEST this year include:

• The newly-formed Invasive Species Branch - providing information on invasive species management, including fox eradication and weed management.
• Quarantine Tasmania - featuring the state's fruit fly trapping system.
• The Browsing Animal Management Unit - using their planning toolkit to help farmers understand the browsing wildlife issues on their farm, as well as various control options and strategies.
• The Animal and Plant Health Laboratories - demonstrating seed testing and certification, veterinary pathology diagnostics for livestock and wildlife, as well as veterinary microbiology diagnostics.
• The Wealth from Water program - helping farmers boost production by improving soil productivity, and explaining the streamlined dam permit process.
• The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) and DPIPWE will also be showcasing the soil and climate modelling designed to help farmers better identify crop sites, and improve production.
• DPIPWE, in conjunction with the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA), Rural Skills Australia and Lifelong Learning Tasmania, will be rolling out the hands-on Discover Agriculture program, to help year 9-12 students identify agricultural employment opportunities.

The Australian Year of the Farmer is being marked by a series of events, programs and campaigns across the country.