Farmers receive $60,000 grants for Building Farm Businesses, Redman
Author: Terry Redman
Published on: 01-February-2011
Nine Wheatbelt farming businesses will be the first to receive grants to help better prepare for future droughts.
The Building Farm Businesses grants are being offered as part of the Federal and Western Australian governments’ drought pilot.
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the drought pilot had attracted strong participation from farmers since it was launched in May last year.
Farmers from the nine properties completed five farm planning training sessions where they made themselves eligible for grants by developing a strategic plan for their businesses.
They have been approved to receive the maximum allocation of $60,000 each.
Individual projects include planting drought or salt-tolerant pastures; soil improvement; equipment upgrades; realignment of fencing to protect vulnerable land; succession planning; soil testing and draining waterlogged areas to assist in controlling salinity.
About 207 farm businesses have completed the extensive farm planning training course, run by the Department of Agriculture and Food and Curtin University. Another 132 businesses are currently undergoing training.
“This farm planning training course gives farmers new skills in areas such as long-term planning and taking a more business-focused approach,” Mr Redman said.
“It also changes farmers’ mindsets, as it focuses on building a resilient business, rather than waiting for a crisis and then having to react to it.
“The demand shown for the farm planning course - and the feedback I’ve received from farmers who have completed it - shows it is well targeted, relevant and people are open to the idea of learning how to better their businesses.”
Other components of the drought pilot include: income support to help families meet basic household needs; a range of counselling services; community grants; support for farmers who decide to sell their farm; and beyond farming, a program for farmers to talk to former farmers or mentors about opportunities that arise when they sell up or retire.
Minister's office - 9213 6700
