Free business bootcamp for young farmers

youth-in-dairy-3Due to popular demand, Agriculture Victoria will host another Young Farmer Business Bootcamp in Gippsland, this time in Sale.

The bootcamp is suited to young farm business managers and owners seeking to forge a successful career in the beef, sheep and dairy industries.

The course will bring a group of young farmers together to share information and experiences and develop skills to manage a farm business for the short and longer-terms.

The course is free and will be tailored to the dry seasonal conditions being experienced across East and Central Gippsland.

It will be delivered over two days at the Port of Sale, Friday 7 and Monday 17 December, starting at 9.30am and finishing at 3pm each day. Lunch will be provided.

Paul Blackshaw from Meridian Agriculture, a statewide agricultural consultancy business, will co-deliver the event with Agriculture Victoria.

Participants who attend the course can expect to improve their understanding of profit and loss and cash flow budgeting, balance sheets and gross margins, planning for and managing risks, as well as financial planning and analysis.

Local livestock farmer Jen Smith has played a part in bringing the bootcamps to the region.

“These workshops provide a great opportunity for every farm business to learn something that is directly applicable for their financial management,’ she said.

Agriculture Victoria Director Dougal Purcell said the bootcamps are an important part of the support the department provides to farm managers.

“We are delivering these events to support young farm owners and managers tackle the current conditions and think ahead to the longer-term direction of their businesses,” Mr Purcell said.

“The target audience of young farmers is very broad, roughly described as people up to around 45 years of age,” he said.

Participants can register on Eventbrite: http://salebootcamp.eventbrite.com.au. If you are unable to register online or would like further information, contact Caroline Love on (03) 5152 0603.

For more information about drought assistance for East and Central Gippsland farmers and dry seasonal conditions support go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons.