Big thanks to our 100+ members and supporters who have provided input, insights and participated in the first round of our Regional Action Plan Workshops.
This process is all about identifying local opportunities in Noosa, Moreton Bay, Gympie and the Sunshine Coast, and we are grateful to Advance Queensland, Noosa Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council and Sunshine Coast Council for their support.
The Regional Action Plans will drive both region specific and cross-regional activities over the next 18 months, providing an important platform for us to continue to grow our collaborative ecosystem. We’d love to see as many of you as possible at our next workshops, where the Sustainable Innovation Co team will help us to refine lots of big ideas into tangible actions (details below).
Yours in collaboration,
Emma
Table of Contents
FAN Action Groups
Join us for the second round of workshops, where specific actions and initiatives will be mapped out. Workshops will be delivered in a hybrid model, both in-person and virtually.
Local leaders, innovators, problem solvers, risk takers and forward thinkers are invited to take part and help shape specific actions for our 4 regions.
AgTech Uptake Program
We’re pleased to share details on FAN’s rollout of the AgriFutures Australia Producer Technology Uptake Program. The pilot program supports producers to increase adoption of technology solutions in their businesses.
FIND OUT MORE HERE.
ONLINE SESSIONS
Monday 1 August
AgTech in Australia – The State of Play
Presented by Australian Agritech Association
Monday 15 August
Farm Tech Planning 101
Presented by Rural Edge / IntellectAg
DEMO DAYS
Wednesday 7 September
Demo Day – Moreton Bay
Supported by AusIndustry & Moreton Bay Regional Council
Thursday 6 October
Demo Day – Noosa
Supported by AusIndustry & Noosa Council
Member Resources
Brewers and Distillers Masterclasses
These highly valuable sessions covered topics including market opportunity identification; on and off-premise trends; category drivers; retailer requirements; margin enhancers; promotions and marketing and more. These sessions were supported by Queensland Government. VIEW HERE
Foot and Mouth Information
Australia is responding to a potential threat of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) arriving on our shores.
Learn more about improving biosecurity on your farm:
farmbiosecurity.com.au/
Find out more about FMD here: https://fal.cn/3qifH
Member Opportunities
The Curated (side) Plate
The Curated (side) Plate – what a line up. This initiative from the Sunshine Coast Council is a great celebration of the Sunshine Coast’s producers, growers, makers and supporters.
HERE’S a list of FAN Member events. Make sure to head to The Curated (side) Plate site for a full line up.
Tastes of Moreton Bay – it’s back!
Don’t miss out on any of the food or fun!
Tastes of Moreton Bay is the pinnacle celebration of local Moreton Bay produce, boasting 40+ amazing events over five weeks from Aug 19 to Sept 25.
Here’s a ‘taste‘ of what’s to come, a great story from FAN Member The Mini Farm Project.
Noosa Destination Management EOI
Noosa Council is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from members of the community and/or industry to join a Project Control Group (PCG) to help guide the Shire’s Destination Management process.
Interested in learning more or applying?
FIND OUT MORE HERE.
Maroochydore State High Wanderlust event
MSH Year 12 Tourism students are excited to bring you the 3rd Wanderlust Food and Drinks Festival on 25 August 5.30-7.30pm. This year’s event will feature more FAN members than ever and will also raise funds for OzHarvest.
REGISTER HERE
Grants & Support
Entrepreneurs’ Programme – Strengthening Business from AusIndustry
Flooding events in early 2022 heavily impacted businesses across South East Queensland. In response, the Australian Government extended the Strengthening Business program to work with you to address the challenges and opportunities your business now faces. Strengthening Business connects you with experts to help your business recover and prepare for the future. To find out more visit business.gov.au/EP or contact the Strengthening Business Facilitator in your local government area.
| Moreton Bay | Paul Misipeka | 0407 289 375 |
| Sunshine Coast & Noosa | Steve Telburn | 0418 922 567 |
| Gympie | Ed Andrew | 0477 721 069 |
AusIndustry team members will be at the AgTech Demo Days to discuss this program and support available.
R&D support for start-ups and small businesses
Innovation is a major driver of business growth. However, many start-ups and small businesses face barriers such as a lack of technical expertise or funding when trying to access research and development (R&D) to explore new opportunities. CSIRO’s Kick-Start program helps start-ups and small businesses overcome some of these barriers to pursue R&D activities, by providing an end-to-end facilitation service.
FIND OUT MORE HERE.
Next round of Business Boost grants on the way
Small businesses ready to take their business to the next level are being encouraged to apply for a Business Boost grant up to $15,000. Previous Business Boost grant recipients have used the funds to introduce an online booking system, redevelop their website, develop a customised workplace health and safety system or train their staff. Businesses will need to co-contribute at least 30 per cent of the total cost of their proposed project with grant funding paid to successful small businesses following completion of the project.
FIND OUT MORE HERE
Member News
4 Ingredients Award Winning Success
4 Ingredients won the coveted Australia Post ORIAs (Online Retail Industry Award) for best Online Retailer SME. In Kim’s words “this is a National Award, it is a little over-whelming in terms of the innovation, the creativity … and the multitude of opportunities that lie within.” READ MORE HERE. A big congrats to Kim and Melinda – so well deserved.
Project Salubrious Official Opening
Congrats to Kurt and the team on the official opening of Project Salubrious’ new cafe. Located in Moreton Bay the new cafe is already receiving rave reviews READ HERE. Kurt’s a big supporter of REKO Moreton Bay, and we also found out a Michelin Star Chef – you kept that under your hat!.
Your Mates Expansion
Congrats to Matt and the team at Your Mates – the team recently announced plans to develop a new $8 million facility located next to their exisiting premise. The new brewery will increase their capacity to brew almost 1 million litres of their award winning beers. So we’ll be seeing lots more of Larry and Sally!
READ MORE HERE.
#PlateForAMate campaign
We’re feeling proud on the launch of this national campaign, which was inspired by insights shared by FAN. Australia’s premium food and baking brands have joined forces for #PlateForAMate 2022, a multi-channel campaign which encourages Australian’s to ‘share a plate with a mate,’ reminding people of the power of shared meals to bolster mental health.
Member Spotlight
Jade King – Green Valley Agriculture
Jade King wanted to grow something native and a little bit different on her Queensland-based plot of land. She put the question to her high school class and one student had the suggestion of growing fingerlimes. 300 trees later, Jade is a commercial fingerlime grower and well known across our FAN network for her passion and big ideas. Aided with the help of a Nuffield Scholarship, sponsored by the AgriFutures Australia Emerging Industries Program, Jade is on a mission to grow Australia’s fingerlime industry and establish an industry body to expand on research knowledge and skills.
LISTEN HERE to her fascinating story.
AgriFutures Australia is a supporting FAN’s rollout of the AgTech Uptake Program.
Information and podcast courtesy of AgriFutures.
Our Supporters
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.
