From ‘where you are’ to ‘where you want to be’

Farming comes with enough uncertainty. From crops, staff, machinery, audits, and getting produce to market, it can be difficult to take a step back and ask: “Where are we now? Where do we want to be? And how do we get there?”

Answering these three questions is the focus of phase two of Growcom’s Farm Business Resilience Program (FBRP) for horticulture. After successfully delivering the program since 2022, Growcom is proud to continue supporting Queensland growers with another three-year term.

The next phase brings a fresh team on board. Program Manager, Amy Nash will lead support assisted by Facilitators Sarah Reynolds (North Queensland), Fiona Beveridge (Central Queensland), and Liz Ford (Southern Queensland). Together, they will combine one-to-one grower support with practical events tailored to specific regional needs across Queensland.

Working alongside growers to develop Farm Business Resilience Plans gives farmers the opportunity to consider what could shape their farm’s future and put strategies in place to mitigate risk and maximise opportunities.

Ms Nash said FBRP support would extend beyond the planning process, to working with growers in turning plans on paper into practical outcomes in the paddock, the pack shed, or wherever support is needed in their business. 

Our role is to understand where your business is at and where you want to take it. From there, we work with you to map out the steps in between,” Amy said.

“Just as importantly, we help connect growers with the right services, funding options and technical expertise to support what’s in their plan.

“That might relate to infrastructure, disaster preparedness, succession planning or workforce — it depends entirely on the individual business.”

With a wide range of services, programs and grants available across regional Queensland, the focus is on helping growers identify what is relevant and making those connections practical and achievable.

“FBRP isn’t just about writing a plan,” Amy said.

“It’s about making sure that plan leads to action, with the right support around you to move it forward.”

Phase 2 of the Farm Business Resilience Program for Horticulture, delivered by Growcom, is funded through to 2029. The program is jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program.