Farmers2Founders workshops facilitating emerging entrepreneurs

The Farmers2Founders (F2F) program has been designed to help producers build their entrepreneurial and technological skills, so they can solve real industry issues, capitalise on and commercialise new technologies, and bring novel, high-value products to market.

AgriFutures Australia Senior Manager, Business Development, Jennifer Medway helped the F2F team kick off the program this month with a series of workshops, and presented at the first workshop in the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland.

Ms Medway said it was really encouraging to the see the number of producers looking to diversify and adopt emerging industries in the Atherton Tablelands.

“For the industry to realise the National Farmers Federations’ target of a $100 billion agriculture sector by 2030, the growth of new industries will need to be much more rapid. The Atherton Tablelands or “the food bowl” of the northern tropics has a wonderful opportunity to capitalise on the sundry of emerging industries.

“Through F2F and other AgriFutures Australia programs we’re working with individuals, businesses and emerging industries to support their establishment and growth,” said Ms Medway.

The regional workshops, in locations across Australia, aim to expose farmers to the latest trends and benefits of emerging new agriculture, food and fibre technologies, and show how these cutting edge technologies can benefit their business.

“As a F2F project partner, AgriFutures Australia will also host a dedicated F2F workshop for our industries later this year,” said Ms Medway.

Following the workshops, farmers that are ready to transform their businesses on-farm and beyond the farm gate can apply for the F2F innovators or early adopters streams in agtech, foodtech, and food innovation.

Partner and CEO of AgThentic Sarah Nolet and CEO of Food Futures Company Dr Christine Pitt, established Farmers2Founders after they saw a gap between the agriculture and tech communities, and knew a unique project was needed to solve the problem.

According to Sarah Nolet, F2F’s aim is to elevate the role of producers to solve real problems.

“Producers have hard-won expertise, insights, context, and networks. We must unlock this potential and enable producers to catalyse more high value agrifood innovations.”

The next round of F2F workshops will be held in Gippsland VIC and Bendigo VIC on the 22 May and 18 June respectively.

F2F is supported by AgriFutures Australia, Australian Wool Innovation, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Meat & Livestock Australia and Wine Australia.