The considerable investment by government, industry and growers in agroforestry during the
1990s has sought to increase its adoption in many regions of Australia – due to its multiple
socio-economic and environmental benefits. However, many landholders are delaying
adoption or under-investing in farm vegetation due to the uncertainty of how they can
effectively access viable markets for their products and services.
While grower cooperatives have gained attention as a possible marketing approach, this is
not the only, nor necessarily the most effective, approach for all small-scale growers around
Australia to optimise their commercial returns from the products and services of farm
vegetation. Leading farmers around Australia have used a variety of approaches to using
farm vegetation for profitable enterprises – all with different essential ingredients for their
particular situations. Their experiences are of great benefit to others currently exploring and
developing farm vegetation.