Our Member Meet Ups across our regions are our FAN ecosystem at its best – where our members host on their farms and in their manufacturing facilities, sharing their stories and knowledge to inspire and help others.
Thanks to this month’s hosts – Adele and Scott Frew (Belli Beef), Nick and Brydie Holliday (Belvedere Farm) and Mick Dan (Good Harvest Organic Farm) and the Sunshine and Sons team. If you’d like to host a future meet up we’d love to hear from you.
Yours in collaboration,
Emma Greenhatch
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Upcoming Events
There’s lots going on in May – as part of Queensland Small Business Month!
In our special #QSBM Insights and Innovation from our Industry Sessions – we’re inviting industry trailblazers to share what success looks like for them and how an innovation mindset has helped to unlock new opportunities.
Krista Watkins Natural Evolution and #eatqld Champion
Tuesday 25 May
Joel Kuperholz Vimantech and Purple Hive Project
Joel is the Founder of Vimanatech, an Australian tech company creating and assembling technology to benefit those in rural Australia, with a focus on agriculture. Joel has a track record in autonomous field robotics, co-founding the first Mars Rover team to compete at NASA’s Mars Desert Research Centre in Utah, USA. Vimantech is the lead developer behind the groundbreaking Purple Hive Project, a solar-powered, artificial intelligence-based device trained to detect the Varroa mite in real-time.
BOOK HERE
Feedback, input and tips welcome!
Got suggestions, input, tips on what you’d like in FANMail – email us.
FAN News
FAN would like to announce the appointment of Mick Hay and Mark Peters to the FAN Board. We would also like to thank retiring Director Craig Agnew from The Happy Snack Company, who has helped FAN to navigate a period of significant change over the past 12 months.
Meet Mick Hay
Rimfire Resources
Meet Mark Peters
Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre
Upcoming Grants
Sunshine Coast Business Awards
The Sunshine Coast Business Awards are back in 2021, a fantastic opportunity for FAN members to be recognised for their achievements and to celebrate at the Gala event on 13 November. Entries open on 20 May and details of upcoming information sessions will be available shortly.
READ MORE HERE
Grant writing workshops
Join Jenny Lawson from Successful Grants at an upcoming Grant Workshop – hosted at a Sunshine Coast Council Library near you. In these workshops, discover ways to find grants that match your initiative, learn how to understand the fine print for guidelines and eligibility, and get tips on how to appropriately respond to criteria. FIND OUT MORE HERE
Made in Queensland Grant
The $15.5 million 4th round of the Made in Queensland (MIQ) program is now open. Eligible manufacturers can apply for grants $50,000 – $2.5million with matched funding to become more internationally competitive and adopt innovative processes and technologies. Regional manufacturers may also be eligible to receive up to 75% of project funding in this round for projects up to $500,000. READ MORE HERE. For more details contact FAN’s Grant Writing Partner Jenny Lawson at Successful Grants.
QLD Govt Preferred Supplier
Current tender opportunity with the Queensland Government to join the Preferred Supplier Panel (PSP) for the provision of Groceries, Dairy and Beverages. Closing 4 May. FULL DETAILS HERE
Member Opportunities/Resources
Gluten-Free Expo Special Offer for FAN Members
The Gluten-Free Expo invites FAN members to participate in the Brisbane Gluten Free Expo in a dedicated space for $600. To register email [email protected] or FIND OUT MORE HERE
Farmers2Plate Exchange Subsidy
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, under their (Agribusiness Diversification, Agritourism Program), is providing a limited number of event tickets (excl. masterclass, travel & accomm) for Queensland farmers located outside the Scenic Rim, Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane regions, to attend the Farm2Plate Exchange being held in Scenic Rim (Beaudesert) from 18-19 May. Tickets are available on a first come first serve basis. MORE DETAILS HERE
R&D Opportunity
Quantal Bioscience, a unique small science business, would like to speak with growers and about their experiences, problems and successes in monitoring and diagnosing microbial pathogens and diseases in a range of systems, including protected cropping, aquaponic and nursery, and post-harvest operations. READ MORE HERE
FAN Member Landcare workshop
Thursday 27 May
Are you interested in understanding and valuing the natural capital on your property and learning more about how you as a producer can benefit from participating in the emerging environmental markets? Submit your EOI here or for more info contact [email protected].
Alternative Plant-based Proteins
Based on research performed by FIAL, as part of Capturing the Prize, the plant-based and alternative proteins category is set to grow to $A5 billion by 2030, creating an additional 6,000 new jobs to the Australian economy if opportunities are realised. READ MORE
The Future of Food
The healthy food market is growing and evolving fast. The interest in healthier food coincides with many factors in our society, from our desire to look and feel good, nutritional needs, food intolerances, sustainability and, of course, the impact of COVID-19. But how does this affect the attitudes, behaviours, consumption and buying habits of Australian consumers? Read a recent report from Davidson Branding.
READ HERE
Member News
ABC Landline sharing the love
Another great FAN-member story on ABC Landline from Jen Nichols – this time on Little White Goat Cheese (iview 18 April). Keep an eye out for an upcoming story on FAN Ambassador Martin Duncan aka Sunshine Coast Foodie on his growing Sconetime movement!
QLD Strawberries Campaign
Have you seen QLD Strawberries recent campaign? Check out the innovative initiative and share, share, share.
My Dilly Bag workshops
Aunty Dale Chapman from My Dilly Bag has some Bush food tasting workshops coming up that are a great idea for Mother’s Day. FIND OUT MORE HERE
Delicious Produce Awards 2021
And the State Winners are in for this year’s Delicious Produce Awards – another great showing from FAN members! Congratulations go to
Big Heart Bamboo, Walker Seafoods, Bunya Red Farm and Green Valley Fingerlimes.
Send us your news to share with our FAN community.
Our Partners
Special thanks to FAN’s Partners and Sponsors who provide significant resources towards the ongoing sustainability of FAN and the growth and resilience of our regions’ food and agribusiness industry.
