Chance for young NSW farmers to get a 12-month business coach

“Roger Federer doesn’t play tennis alone, he has a coach, and business is the same - great leaders in the business world don’t run alone,” Young Farmer Business Program coordinator Alexandra Hicks said.

“Young farmers and fishers are often solo in the business world, so we are giving people a big head start with a coach for 12 months.

“An expert coach will push them, ask tough questions and motivate them to reach their goals.”

Applicants will need to be committed and willing to be a part of the coaching program for 12 months, which will include face-to- face planning sessions, weekly coaching sessions and more.

Applications close on February 11.

Apply online www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/yfbp or contact young.farmer@dpi.nsw.gov.au. 

Late last year a survey of 251 young farmers revealed nearly three in four fledgling producers in NSW were experiencing business barriers, while almost half felt like they didn’t have an opportunity to meet and network with other farmers.

Since 2016 the NSW Young Farmer business project has been attempting to fill that gap. 

Such has been the success, last year the DPI-NSW Farmers joint project got a $6 million state government boost. 

Business coach Chris Morrison said it didn’t matter where your business was starting from, as long as you had the determination and dedication to do something outstanding.

“I’m passionate about helping young people get really spectacular results through business,” Mr Morrison said.

Related

Anyone aged between 18 and 35 operating a farm, commercial fisheries or aquaculture business where they identify with primary production and are growing or producing food and fibre can apply.

The Young Farmer Business Program has also developed a new website to provide easy access to resources, tools and information. Farmers can subscribe to the e-newsletter or receive SMS messages to their mobile phone to find out about upcoming events and opportunities. 

Last July, NSW Farmers invested further faith in their under 35s by agreeing to give two young farmer representatives a vote on the organisation’s executive council. New young farmer pastoral branches were named for East and West Riverina, Central District, North Coast, New England Tablelands, and Sydney.