- QFF Corporate Partner, Resource Consulting Services (RCS), have published a fantastic blog article titled ‘Telling the story of great farm stewardship’ highlighting the attraction of regenerative agriculture. Regenerative food and fibre production is becoming of increasing interest to markets because it is generally nature-positive, reduces climate risk, promotes farmer wellbeing and delivers healthy and nutritious food to consumers. Great farm outcomes often go hand-in-hand with indicators of farmer wellbeing and signs of a healthy business and successful production. RCS can help farmers build natural capital and profitable businesses by providing technical and practical assistance to support sustainable agriculture and natural resource management practices. Read their blog to find out more!
- QFF CEO Jo Sheppard will feature on the panel at the Queensland Futures Institute’s 2023 Policy Leaders’ Forum on 16 February in Brisbane. The panel will outline what opportunities and challenges they see for their members and industry. The panel will also provide us with an overview of the year ahead.
- There was no pining for pineapples at QFF member Growcom’s pineapple activation held at the Queens Garden in Brisbane this past Friday. The mini pineapple plantation was organised under Growcom’s new advocacy arm, Horticulture Queensland, signifying the official start of ‘The Year of Horticulture’ aimed at celebrating all things horticulture. The pineapple is the first commodity to be highlighted as part of a year-long awareness campaign of the state’s 104 various fruit, vegetable and nut crops. For more information on the Year of Horticulture, click HERE.
- Beekeepers can now apply for a permit to move European honey bees and other related materials into Queensland from the NSW General Emergency Zone (GEZ) after this zone was declared free of varroa mite (Varroa destructor). A biosecurity instrument permit is required for anyone bringing bees, hives, used beekeeping equipment or bee products (including unprocessed honey), into any part of Queensland from any state or territory.
- NEW Fee Free TAFE program opportunities available! The Queensland Government’s Fee Free TAFE program supports Queenslanders to skill up to meet the state’s current and future workforce needs. The Fee Free TAFE program, with an expanded list of qualifications and eligibility criteria, replaced the Free TAFE for under 25s program from 1 January 2023.
- A new Regional Tech Hub funded by the Federal Government and operated by the National Farmers’ Federation is helping rural, regional and remote Australians say goodbye to connectivity frustrations. The new and convenient book-in phone support service provides free, independent personalised connectivity assistance, answer questions, and provide advice on internet and mobile options, no matter where you live in regional Australia.
- Do you have an initiative focused on sustainability and innovation? Eligible farmers and manufacturers may be able to receive grants up to $500,000 through the Coles Nurture Fund. Apply before 24 February HERE. Previous projects include a vacuum truck to convert manure into renewable energy and Victorian beef producers who bought a machine to convert lucerne to feed pellets.
- Here’s an interesting read on how world-first tech combining robotics, artificial intelligence and engineering is giving real hope for the future of the Great Barrier Reef. Game-changing coral counting technology, to be used during annual coral spawning events, has successfully been trialled giving coral researchers greater control in mass producing coral efforts to restore the reef.
- Want to strengthen your skills in applying and pitching for government grants? Hop on the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training Mentoring for Growth Webinar on 27 February to better understand the grant funding process and get grant-ready to improve your chances of securing funding.
- Disaster assistance is now available to seven more flooded local councils following extreme monsoonal rainfall and flooding across Regional Queensland. Support has been approved through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) in the local government areas of Burke, Doomadgee, Lockhart River, Longreach, Mareeba, Mount Isa, and Townsville. Access assistance HERE.
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