eNews 19 August 2019 - AgTeCH19 registrations open
FROM THE DESK OF CHDC'S AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
FROM THE DESK OF CHDC'S
AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
In this eNews: AgTeCH19 registrations open - 20 Young Tech Bursaries available and now is the time to secure your trade stall; EOI for Rural Economic Development (RED) Grants of up to $250K close 6 September; Small Business Artisan Producer Grants; and don't miss A DAM GOOD STORY...
It's back and we're excited! The third annual AgTeCH: Build it, Use it, Profit, a major innovation and technology event for the Australian agricultural community, will be held in Emerald, 6 November 2019.
The event brings together the smartest minds at the intersection of agriculture, machinery and technology to explore the future of agribusiness and showcase the latest innovations to improve farm and business profitability.
The Committee has pulled together an amazing speaker list from across Australia on the topics of Automation, Robotics and Drones, and IoT (Internet of Things) and Connectivity, plus in-field live demonstrations of agricultural tech in action (including SwarmFarm, John Deere, DAF drones in research, T3RRA Precision Terrain Solutions, PLF Australia and Moovement's beef "smart farm"), with a couple more to be announced closer to the time.
Applications open until 5pm Wednesday 9 October for Young Tech Bursary
With the support of our Young Tech Partners, CQUniversity and the Fitzroy Basin Association, CHDC is offering 20 budding agtech entrepreneurs and students (and their teachers) from across the Central Highlands a full bursary to attend AgTeCH19. Eligible students include those who are enrolled in CQUniversity and/or QATC, as well as Year 12 students from Central Highlands secondary schools. For more information and to apply, click here.
Time to register for a trade stall at AgTeCH19
Since 2017, AgTeCH has been held each year alternating between Emerald and Mungindi, NSW. Each event has sold out, with more than 240 attending Emerald and 265 at Mungindi, representing 2 million ha of production. This makes AgTeCH the largest regionally-based dedicated agtech forum in Australia.
If you are working in the agtech field - precision livestock, cropping or terrain services and agronomy, hardware and software manufacturers and sales, researchers, biotech, digital connectivity and ICT services - and want to connect to producers and agribusiness in Queensland, NT and NSW you should be here!
22 trade stalls are already taken and we have limited numbers of trade stalls remaining. Businesses with an office based in the Central Highlands are eligible for a 50% discount. For more information and to register for a trade stall check out the AgTeCH2019 Partnership Prospectus.
EOI for Rural Economic Development (RED) Grants of up to $250K close 6 September
Hopefully you have seen the great news that SwarmFarm Robotics at Gindie and Fair Dinkum Meats at Springsure and Emerald were two of 15 businesses in Queensland to receive a Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant to help fund the expansion of their business and create job growth in regional areas.
Fair Dinkum Meats plans to build a state-of-the-art boutique produce supermarket and smokehouse and SwarmFarm is constructing a purpose-built office facility to serve as its headquarters at Gindie.
The EOI process for the second round of RED grants is open now and CHDC strongly encourages any Central Highlands agribusiness to apply.
Projects must be primary production related, generate job creation, provide value for money and significant economic benefit to a rural area. This may include projects which:
• implement new technologies and innovations that enhance productivity, including technologies to improve internet connectivity, for example agri-tech products such as robotics or mobile apps
• add value to agricultural products, including developing new markets for value-added products
• assist with business development and expansion through provision of technical assistance, training and other activities
• assist businesses to achieve economies of scale by implementing collaborative business structures
• assist businesses to become investment and export ready
• improve energy use efficiencies, including transitioning to renewable energy sources.
The DAF RED Grants program offers emerging projects up to $250,000 in co-contributions to build industry and grow employment opportunities across the agricultural sector. This is the second round from a total of three funding rounds, with the program ending 2021. More information is available here.
How can CHDC help? We can provide regional data which you can use to support your application, link you to appropriate business and agencies related to your project, and write formal letters of support. The Department of Agriculture's Industry Development Officer Alicia Dunbar can also help. Don't leave it 'til the last minute though.
Small Business Artisan Producer Grants from $1,000 to $5,000 close 22 August 2018
Another Queensland Government program, the Small Business Artisan Producer Grants provide assistance to artisan producers of gourmet food (including non-alcoholic beverages) to help them grow their businesses, access new market opportunities and enhance their gourmet food expertise.
If successful, a 50 per cent funding contribution of up to $5,000 (excluding GST) is provided to artisan producers to engage business consultants, mentors or digital experts to assist them to establish and grow their businesses, and to seize market opportunities as they arise. More information here.
A DAM GOOD STORY - 40 Years of Irrigation from the Fairbairn Dam
The Fairbairn Dam is an amazing asset that directly and indirectly supports all industries and communities across the Central Highlands. A small team of volunteers has been working behind the scenes for the past seven years to source, collaborate and commit to paper as many stories about the first 40 years of irrigation from the Fairbairn Dam. 'A Dam Good Story' captures the facts and stories of those involved in the dam's construction and the enormous benefits it has provided irrigators, industries and the community. The stories are a precious history of our farming families and our community.
I've been lucky enough to have had a sneak peek and was overwhelmed by the quality, detail and depth that the volunteer effort of a few has achieved (I've bought eight!). Congratulations to the team of Chair Tracey Geddes, Lyn Sypher, Robyn Morawitz, Beth Burnett and Cameron Millar, and all the contributors.
This beautiful hard cover book is now available to purchase here and you're invited to attend the official launch at Emerald Art Gallery at 5:30pm this Friday, 23 August, by registering on the Facebook Event Page. See you there.
Contact Liz Alexander E: ealexander@chdc.com.au or M: 0429 471 511 for more information.
Beef producer Ian McCamley from Rolleston poses a question to panellists at the sold-out 2017 AgTeCH: Build it, Use it, Profit event.