An upcoming field day at Campbell Town will give Tasmanian producers valuable information on how to generate new income streams and build drought resilience through farm agritourism opportunities.
The Farm Gate Futures Agritourism Field Day, to be held on 6 February, is being delivered by the Tasmanian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (TAS Farm Innovation Hub) in partnership with agribusiness consultants Optimum Standard and Regionality Pty Ltd.
The TAS Farm Innovation Hub is one of eight Hubs nationally funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Allison Clark from Optimum Standard said the field day would help farmers, fishers and producers in Tasmania looking for new opportunities to value add or diversify.
“The focus of Farm Gate Futures is to build each farmer’s ability to adapt to change that may include impacts as a result of changing market conditions, climate, changing technologies or responses to crisis impacts such as floods and drought,” Mrs Clark said.
“Working together with agritourism specialist Regionality Pty Ltd, we’ve helped 100 Tasmanian farmers and agritourism businesses innovate and become more resilient over the last year, and this field day will be a great opportunity for farmers to come together to share knowledge and experiences and learn about how to enhance their current business model.”
Rose Wright from Regionality said the field day will explore the opportunities and current market for agritourism in Tasmania and help farmers investigate their potential, capacity and resources to innovate on farm.
TAS Farm Innovation Hub Director, Sandra Knowles, said the field day presented a unique opportunity for Tasmanian farmers.
“As our climate changes and becomes more variable, we need to build climate resilience into communities and be innovative in our businesses,” Ms Knowles said.
“Agritourism brings some exciting possibilities for Tasmanian producers to diversify, grow and adapt to our changing climate and this field day will give them the knowledge to help with this journey.”
The field day will be held at The Grange at Campbell Town on 6 February, 10am-1pm. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Media contact: Melissa Lewarn, melissa.lewarn@utas.edu.au 0427 354 058.