Great agritourism ideas at Maffra dinner October 21, 2009

AGRITOURISM… STANDING OUT IN THE CROWD

October 30, 2009

Pauline Porcaro opened up the options for agritourism at the Maffra dinner held on October 28. Her advice? Seek a point of difference that sets your business apart from others in the region.

CLICK ON LATEST NEWS for a report on her talk

CLICK ON SPEAKERS’ PRESENTATIONS to read her full list of suggestions…

Sponsored by: Wellington Regional Tourism, Rural Skills Connect, Wellington Shire Council and Gippsland Water. Supported by Agribusiness Gippsland.

  

Food sustainability: Expert urges joined-up thinking September 30, 2009

Apples or apartments? Triticale or townhouses? Sewerage plant or 7-11? Future planning could see developers having to earn the right to displace food production land.

Nationally acclaimed thinker and speaker Andrew Campbell will be discussing where Victoria will be growing its food, fuel and fibre in 2020.

Canberra-based Andrew is addressing the FOOD FARMING AND HEALTH conference organised by Agribusiness Gippsland on October 6.

He describes his vision for future land use. “No-one contemplates building a house or apartment block, or approving a new subdivision or suburb, without considering food production and consumption issues, including the potential for on-site food production, the re-use of storm water, energy and nutrients, and the minimisation of waste.”

Policy makers could lead the change in public opinion, he argues. “Government should lead the way with a ‘green, healthy and fair’ food procurement policy, such

 that public sector food meets progressively higher standards and drives investment and innovation for sustainability.”

Other speakers at the conference include:

-          Prof Linda Tapsell discussing the link between food and human health,

-          DPI deputy secretary Bruce Kefford explaining trends in Victorian agriculture

-          Mick Murphy on land use planning

-          How to feed 50 families off an acre

The Warragul conference, supported by VicHealth, Baw Baw Shire, the DPI and DSE as well as the West Gippsland CMA, is only $30, which includes lunch.

More than 100 attendees from across Victoria have booked in for the conference, to be held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre from 9.30 to 4pm. Participants include farmers, farm advisors, soil and water engineers, health professionals, local and state government representatives, land use experts and nutritionists.

Chair of Agribusiness Gippsland Alex Arbuthnot AM said: “Food production needs a serious rethink from the ground up.

“Soil health is a vulnerability, as is water availability. There is potential to close the loop by recycling resources and reusing processing waste. There is a responsibility to curb carbon outputs and optimise energy efficiencies. There is an opportunity to set Victoria apart as an innovative centre of food production excellence.

“We believe this conference will provide a blueprint to make some of these aspirations actual.”

Bookings are preferred for catering purposes although registrations will be accepted on the day.

Scroll down for a registration form or phone 0427 086 087 or 0402 267 802.

Today’s GippyAGchat went to 1896 ‘yes-please’ recipients August 31, 2009

Fast-becoming the ‘must-read’ news e-bulletin for Gippsland. Are you on the list? Email susanw@ptarmigan.com.au It’s free… every third Monday.

August 21, 2009

Nurture the land, nourish the people’…

Digest this! A one-day investigation into future food chains. Join experts to examine the way we grow, distribute and share healthy food. Get into grassroots networking and strengthen the links between farmers, food processors and health professionals.     

The total cost, including lunch, is ONLY $30.

PROGRAM

The big picture now and the future

Food, Farming and Victoria’s Progress to Sustainability, Andrew Campbell:Triple Helix Consulting

Food, health and Victoria’s progress to a healthy population, Ms Veronica Graham, State Public Health Nutritionist DHS

Foods for Victorians: What is happening? Trends and responses- Sustainable and secure food systems. Kirsten Larsen, Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL)

Innovative approaches with food and health:

Food and human health: How it works- Prof. Linda Tapsell, University of Wollongong

Healthy Farm Families, helping farming families make changes for better health, Sue Brumby, Director National Centre for Farmer Health

Afternoon session to be chaired by Gerard Callinan, ABC radio

Food and Farming Opportunities

Victorian Farms: What is happening-Trends in Agriculture: Bruce Kefford,

Deputy Secretary DPI, Victoria

To be followed by three workshop concurrent sessions.

1. Getting healthy food to the people: Distribution/access/choices Facilitators: Lee Choon,Vic Health and Debbie Mitchell, DHS

• How do people make food choices? – Sue Webster, Agribusiness Gippsland
• How distribution works for supermarkets, a national perspective , Mike Woods
• An Organic System Pure Harvest – Don Lizzaro
• Getting food to those in need; making it happen -Russell Shields-Second Bite and Food Alliance
• Community markets and other distribution models – Tara Kelly Brotherhood of St Laurence
• Cultivating Community Projects, Peta Christensen, Cultivating Community
• Food Bank and Wodonga Food for All program-Trevor Barker, Rural Community Support Manager

2. Producing “ clean and green” healthy food

Facilitators: Nick Dudley, DPI and Jo Caminiti, WGCMA

• Tomatoes & Integrated Pest Management  Mark Millis Flavorite
• Fruit for life -Helene Armour- Armour’s Apples
• Dairy building environmental concerns into QA -MGFarmC@re – Marguerite White
• Cherry Tree Organics-Beef Supply Chain -Shane  Blundy
• Developing a national scheme for free range eggs – Meg Parkinson
• Community supported Agriculture: Feeding 50 families from 1 acre.-Amy Glastonbury, Moora Moora CSA, Healesville

 3. Economic and regional development:

Building blocks needed for healthy food Facilitators: Vin Morris, Cardinia Shire and Peter Kurlich, Baw Baw Shire

• Soil and nutrients- Andrew Campbell, Triple Helix Consulting
• Food distribution systems in a climate-challenged future: fruit and vegetables as a case study, Silvia Estrada-Flores, Food Chain Intelligence
• Attracting and retaining good people- Karen Baum, People in Dairy
• Planning and Agriculture the issues and opportunities, Mick Murphy Chair of Future farming planning Panel 
•  ‘Climate Change Impacts on Agrifood Value Chains’ Nicki Marks, Strategic Market Analysis and Jonathan Creese, DPI Agri-business

(Program subject to change)

Savour the brain food! West Gipspland Arts Centre, October 6, 2009.   

How to register:

Please print out the booking form (below) or cut and paste into a Word document.

Complete the details and post with cheque (if applicable) to PO Box 1312, Warragul 3820

OR provide credit card details and fax to 9459 9699

OR email with credit card details to susanw@ptarmigan.com.au

OR email susanw@ptarmigan.com.au to raise an electronic invoice

Booking confirmations will be made by mail with credit card receipt, by email or, if unavailable, by phone.

This form will be a tax invoice for GST when fully completed and payment is made.

   

BOOKING FORM/TAX INVOICE

TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD 

Cost is only $30 (includes GST) includes lunch, session and notes – thanks to generous support from Vic Health, Agribusiness Gippsland, DPI, DSE and West Gippsland CMA.

 

NAME on card:……………………………………………………………………….

 

NAME of attendee: …………………………………………………………………..

 

TYPE of card: (eg VISA, Mastercard) ………..……..………………………………

 

Expires:………………………………Card no:………………………….……………

 

Signature:………………………………………………………………………………

 

EMAIL:………………………………………………………………………………..

 

ADDRESS: ……………………………………………………………………………

 

…………………………………………………………………………………………

 

PHONE: ………………………………………………………………………………

 

OR TO PAY BY CHEQUE (payable to Agribusiness Gippsland Inc) :

 

EMAIL:………………………………………………………………………………..

 

ADDRESS: ……………………………………………………………………………

 

…………………………………………………………………………………………

 

PHONE: ………………………………………………………………………………

 

THEN… Choose a workshop session: please circle/choose one (see below) 1 2 3

The afternoon session features three concurrent workshops. Please select one.

1. Getting healthy food to the people – the logistics: Consumer choice, supermarkets, organics, good food accessible to all and achieving food equity.

2. Producing clean, green healthy food: Sustainable agriculture, case studies in vegetables, fruit, dairy, egg, beef and grains looking at different farming systems

3. Economic and regional development: Water, soil, nutrients, human resources, planning and climate change impacts on agrifood chains.

 

Checkout the website for more details of program and workshops on www.aginc.wordpress.com

 

WHAT? FOOD. FARMING & HEALTH CONFERENCE

WHEN? October 6, 2009. 9.15 am to 4.30 pm,

WHERE? Arts Centre, Cnr Albert & Smith Street Warragul

ENQUIRIES: Jenny O’Sullivan 03 56632386; 0427 086087 or email osulliva@dcsi.net.au 

 

Hosted by Agribusiness Gippsland Inc. ABN 20 185 883 721

THANK YOU!

 

Summit of success August 9, 2009

August 9, 2009
Global food security to banjo-plucking soil science, the range and relevance of speakers at last week’s Victorian Agribusiness Summit simply blew us away.
Tony St Clair stunned us with his work using CO2 to feed future herds, Allan Curtis sobered us up on how to solve outdated irrigation systems, Pauline Pocaro explained how a region lifted its agritourism visits more than 200% and Simon Boag has a career as a stand-up comic if he ever gives up the trawling business.
All this and the castrating fish.
If you weren’t there, you have no idea what you missed. It was even better than a Glenn McGrath delivery… oh yes, did we mention him too?
Glenn’s visit, sponsored by Elders, was the highlight of the two-day Victorian Agribusiness Summit held at the Continental Hotel in Cowes.
The event, organised by Agribusiness Gippsland, attracted attendees from across the state. Most of them attended the gala dinner on Wednesday night to hear McGrath’s tales of cricketing legends and farming lore. Country-born Glenn owns a vast spread 170km north-west of Bourke that is managed by his brother and family. “I find the further west I head in NSW, the more relaxed I feel,” he told the dinner.
The evening began with a selection of award-winning South Gippsland wines introduced in a speech by Rhyll winemaker Rick Lacey. It finished with a selection of Gippsland cheese from Berrys Creek Gourmet Cheese and Murray Goulburn Leongatha.
In between, table prizes included olive oil donated by Krowera Hills Olive Grove who also supplied the gift packs presented to the Elders celebrity auctioneer and to Glenn.
The sportsman shared some funny cricketing memories, including the time when two ducks landed alongside team members training in a Brisbane pool. Ducks being a bad omen for cricketers, the players saw the birds as a jinx. They were certain their innings on the Brisbane crease was likely to be short. McGrath scored his all-time highest score that day.
“Every time I go back to Brisbane I look for those ducks,” he laughed.
True sporting spirit emerged the following morning at the sportsmen’s breakfast organised by the Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo when the morning’s MC, Phil Dressing, found he had won the raffle first prize. The Rotarian generously donated the prize back, it was rapidly auctioned by Greg Price, and raised another $700 for the McGrath Foundation.
Phil jokingly wept throughout the auction.
The cricket star was the highlight of the two-day agribusiness conference which saw speakers from across south-east Australia gather to discuss opportunities for the sector. Professor Tim Reeves explained the looming impact of human populations on global food supplies.
Drawing on his experience working with UN food committees, he said: “I believe we have underestimated the demand and longer term supply of food. As early as 2030 we might need to double global food production.
“Already there are more people living in the city than country. More people more food off less land and also fewer people working in the country to produce that food.
“Agriculture is the noblest profession in the world. It produces food that keeps people alive, and it needs to be back up there where it belongs.”
Another speaker, Canberra-based Professor Tony Peacock flew in from Tasmania to talk about the emerging feral animal pests threatening not only native fauna, but possibly humans. “Wild dogs used to be about 14kg, they’re now about 17kg,” he said. “They’ll start prey- switching from sheep to cattle, so we have to be very aware of this trend and not forget that these dogs present a clear and present danger to us.”
The head of the Co-operative Research Centre for Invasive Animals described the development of ‘superdingos’ and other highly hybridised dogs reported by Australian game hunters. Hunters, he argued, had some protection from hordes of these wild dogs, he said. Unarmed bushwalkers haven’t.
The summit also heard from Tony St Clair who is heading up an exciting ‘green’ energy project due to go live in Gippsland early next year. The company is taking CO2, using it to feed beds of algae which converts the greenhouse gas back into oxygen. The algae, which doubles its population ever 24 hours, is then centrifuged into a biofuel oil, leaving behind a high-protein vegetable mass suitable for stock feed. Early results show the feed cuts beef cattle methane emissions by 20 to 40%, he added.
Another speaker detailed how an agritourism campaign by a small Italian region saw visitor night stays increase 207% in eight years. Newly-returned from a study fellowship, Pauline Pocaro is due to start a national speaking tour explaining how the Italians lifted their agritourism industry by a rigorous accreditation system.
Water availability was a hot topic with Prof Allan Curtis from Charles Sturt Universiry arguing for more rigorous control of water allocations in the Murray Darling Basin, even to the extent of shutting down inefficient irrigation systems and installing desalination plants on the big river.
The former East Gippslander criticised federal water policy leaders of the recent past.
“There’s been no attempt to define which irrigaton systems we should shut down, where we should focus and where we should pull back from,” he said.
He warned that some town and cities might have to go; their inhabitants paid off via a restructural package.
‘We are investing billions of dollars into irrigation upgrades into districts that might have to close,” he said.
South Gippsland beef producer and MLA director John Wyld argued for balance in measuring agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions. The ability of pasture to absorb CO2 has not been added into the maths, he said. “We only count one side of the equation,” he said. “The grass the animal eats uses carbon absorbed from the atmosphere. As far as I’m concerned it’s a closed equation
Other speakers included Gippsland-based Simon Boag explaining the open-sea fishing to a fascinated audience – they later voted him one of the summit’s best speakers.
Another Gippsland speaker, Peter McGauran, explained the structure of the thoroughbred industry and the scope for its expansion via sales to Asia.
Asian demand was an underlying strength for Australian dairying too, explained Dairy Australia MD Mike Ginnivan.
Asia was named as a key market by Ian James, from the horticulture group AUSVEG and by Ben White from Regional Development Victoria.
He announced grants, totalling $400,000, available to individual agribusiness entities.
Noojee potato grower Liz Clay was also a popular speaker discussing organic farming and Gippsland’s Joanne Butterworth-Grey delivered the surprising news that Victoria enjoyed 50% market share of Australian wine sales.
There were figures flying around from Roger Gaudion, NAB agribusiness boss for Victoria and Tasmania and also from Shane Kelly, MD of Adviser Edge, Australia’s largest agribusiness research house. He presented figures from David Bryant showing that investment in commodities has proven a viable counterbalance to investment in the ASX over the past 100 years.
Alex Arbuthnot, AM, chair of Agribusiness Gippsland said: “We delivered an absolute winner. There were moments that I used to awake at nights and wonder whether we could bring it off. But the attendees were simply blown away by the diversity of quality speakers we attracted to this event and the dinner with Glenn McGrath was just tops.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by all the very favourable comments. It was an honour to host it and a pleasure to attend.”

June 7, 2009

VICTORIAN AGRIBUSINESS SUMMIT, Cowes, August 5-6, 2009:

REGISTRATION FORM AND FULL PROGRAM

Come to Cowes on August 5-6 and hear the newly appointed chair of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Michael Taylor AO.

Discover social perspectives of regional change and share insights into future food security.

Learn what’s ahead for dairy, wine, equine, horticulture, organics, biomass and agritourism. Two great days at the Continental Hotel.

Cricket legend, Test giant and farmer Glenn McGrath will be the special evening speaker at a glittering dinner on the beachfront Continental hotel at Cowes.

Relax and visit the world-famous penguin parade, or golf with special deals for conference guests. Try laps of the international GP circuit, open sea or indoor fishing, helicopter rides, surf lessons or wineries…

Program AUGUST 5

8.45-9.30: Registrations/coffee/networking

9.30-9.45: Introduction – Chair AGINc, Alex Arbuthnot AM

9.45-10.00: Welcome – Ministerial address

10.00 -10.40: Keynote speaker – ABARE. Australian agribusiness – what are the trends?

10.40 – 11.15 MORNING TEA

11.15 -12.00: Keynote speaker – Senior public servant Michael Taylor AO, discusses global upheaval and agribusiness outlooks for regional Victoria. Newly appointed chair of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Mike was previously secretary of DoTARS and the former secretary DAFF.  He was Chief Executive with the Australian Dairy Industry Council, and prior to that, held various positions within the Department of Agriculture, Victoria.

12-12.45: Neil Clarke, Corporate farming. Good? Bad? Inevitable? Rural market analyst Neil heads a Bendigo-based agribusiness consultancy and is a founding member/chair of Australia’s largest private extension group.

12.45-1.45 LUNCH

1.45 – 2.05 plus 5 minute questions: INDUSTRY UPDATES Future of dairy: Mike Ginnivan, Managing Director, Dairy Australia. Mike was appointed in 2003 after an extensive career in senior management roles with international and Australian companies, after an early career as a research scientist with the DPI.

2.10 – 2.30 plus 5 minute questions: INDUSTRY UPDATES Future of wine: Joanne Butterworth-Gray, Chief Executive, Victorian Wine Industry Association. Appointed in 2006, Joanne spent 15 years owning a horticulture-based food/wine tourism business. A recipient of the RIRDC Award for two consecutive years, she is a former Agribusiness Gippsland director.

Small sector spotlight: Four takeaway points on the future of your sector

2.35-2.40: Fisheries – Peter Clarke, Chair, Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Cooperative

2.40-2.50: Equine – Peter McGauran, Chief Executive, Thoroughbred Breeders’ Australia and Aushorse

2.50 – 2.55: Horticulture – Richard Mulcahy, CEO AUSVEG

2.55-3.00: Meat – John Wyld, Farmer and MLA director

3.00-3.15: Panel discussion

3.15-3.30: Mike Taylor review

3.40 CLOSE/ AFTERNOON TEA: Alex Arbuthnot AM

4pm: Networking, Golf, Penguin bus, Vietnam Museum

6.30-7.30: Pre dinner drinks

8.00: Dinner

9.00: Speaker post main-course Glenn McGrath, farmer and Test legend

DAY TWO

8.45-9.15: Registrations/coffee/networking

9.15-9.20: Introduction – Chair AGINc, Alex Arbuthnot AM

9.20-9.50: Pat McNamara: Farming after fires. Former Victorian deputy premier, having led the National Party for 11 years.

9.50 – 10.20: David Bryant: Which has performed better? Commodities or the ASX? Farmer and fund manager David presents the surprising answer. Later this year he is addressing the Financial Planning Association of Australia’s national conference on his research into agricultural investment. David established Rural Funds Management in February 1997, accumulating $180m of assets across agricultural sectors. He is heading a management buyout of Great Southern Funds Management.

10.25 – 10.45: Elders Agribusiness MD Paul Hutchinson – Agribusiness banking – today’s risks.  Appointed in 2006 and previously Chief Operating Officer, Customer Solutions with New Zealand Post Ltd. A member of the Elders Rural Bank board, he is a graduate of Harvard Business School Executive Management programme.

10.45-11.15  MORNING TEA

11.20 – 11.50: Kate Carnell, AO: Chief Executive, Australia Food and Grocery Council. Direction for the Food Sector. Former ACT Chief Minister.

11.50 – 12.25: Case studies 

Organics – Organic Federation of Australia

Agritourism – TBC

Biofuels/alternative fuels – Tony St Clair, agribusiness manager MBD Energy, the company that this year signed a deal with Loy Yang Power for a CO2 bio-sequestration plant. Former Chief Executive of NZ Federated Farmers, Queensland-born Tony has also served as executive director with the VFF.

Moderator: Jenny O’Sullivan – farmer/McKay Future Farming winner.

12.30-1.30 LUNCH

1.30 – 1.45: Richard McEwan, DPI soil scientist and Central Victorian winegrower: Launching new land use map for Victoria

1.45-2.05: Allan Curtis: BA Dip Ed Melbourne, PhD. Issues for communities of rural Victoria. Professor of Integrated Environmental Management at Charles Sturt University, Allan established Australia’s first Landcare schools education program and served five years on the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council’s community advisory council.

2.05- 2.25: Trevor Budge – Adjunct Professor at RMIT University. The outlook for food supplies in the future. Bendigo-based Trevor is the founding Director of Research Planning Design Group, a private consulting firm focusing on rural and regional Victoria since 1988. He has been President of the Victorian division of the Planning Institute of Australia.

2.25-2.45: David Crombie, National Farmers’ Federation National agro-political outlook: Politics and markets.

2.45- 3.00: CONCLUSION and THANKS Alex Arbuthnot AM

Program subject to change

STAYING OVER? The Continental http://www.thecontinentalhotel.com.au or visit http://www.visitbasscoast.com/accommodation.asp

Registration costs include all sessions, morning and afternoon teas and two lunches, session notes and a few goodies! – $130 plus GST one day OR $210 plus GST two days

PLUS! Glenn McGrath addressing the gala summit dinner – a gourmet event featuring some of the finest local foods and wines at the elegant beachfront restaurant of The Continental on the Esplanade at Cowes.  Dinner (including initial drinks) $60 plus GST for conference attendees or $75 plus GST. Numbers strictly limited! BOOK EARLY!

REGISTRATION FORM/TAX INVOICE 

We suggest you cut and paste the following onto a separate Word document. This will allow you to fill it in onscreen and the file can then be emailed to resthaven@waterfront.net.au or printed for faxing/posting.

Please retain a copy for your records. Receipts will not be issued. Complete one form per delegate.

 

Delegate Name/Business:…………………………………………………………………………………….

 

 Address:……………………………………………………………………………………………….

 

Phone:………………………………………………………………………………………………….

 

Mob:…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

 

Fax:………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

Email:……………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

• Day 1 OR 2 only (August 5 or 6) $143 incl $13 GST    $143.00
• Day 1 AND 2 (August 5-6) $231 incl $21 GST                $231.00
• Gala Dinner Tickets
• $66 (inc $6 GST) conference participant                            $66.00 
• $82.50 (incl $7.50 GST) non-participant                           $82.50

Agribusiness Gippsland membership for 10% registration discount.

• Annual membership (incl GST)                                                $55.00    

 TOTAL inc GST

(less 10% AGInc membership discount if applies)    $………………..

Please lodge your registration form and cheque payable to Agribusiness Gippsland Inc

• by post: PO Box 1312, Warragul, 3820                                      

 OR by credit card via fax: 9459 9699 or cut-and-paste then email to resthaven@waterfront.net.au 

 

Name on card:………………………………………………………………………………………………………

  

Type of card: (eg VISA, Mastercard)…………………………….Expires ……………………     

  

Card number……………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

 SIGNATURE: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Please indicate any special dietary or other requirements:

 

      Please tick if you agree for your details to be provided to our conference partners.

      Please tick if you would like us to send you details of special deals: Penguin visit, golf, Caldermeade farm, GP hot laps, Vietnam Vets museum, surf school, wineries, fishing….

This form will be a tax invoice for GST when fully completed and payment is made. ABN 20 185 883 721 Delegates unable to attend may send a substitute. An administration fee of 20% will be retained by AGInc if notified less than two weeks before summit. If AGInc is not advised prior to event only 50% of registration fees will be returned.

PROFIT FROM CHANGE: Victorian Agribusiness Summit August 5-6, 2009 May 7, 2009

Cricket legend, Test giant and farmer … Glenn McGrath will be part of an exciting offering of speakers at Victoria’s foremost annual agribusiness summit this year to be held beachside on beautiful Phillip Island.

A keynote speaker will be Michael Taylor AO, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Australia, discussing global upheaval and agribusiness outlooks for regional Victoria.

Two days of notable and new speakers; Australia’s industry leaders share their insights at this annual highlight in Victoria’s agribusiness calendar.

And you get free, highly targeted advertising in the hugely popular enewsletter GippyAGchat, read by 1000 ‘yes-please’ subscribers.

PLUS!!!! Book and pay for your sponsorship/stand before May 30, 2009 and you will go in the draw for a seat at McGrath’s table.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Naming Sponsor $7500 plus GST

–    4 tickets to Conference & Dinner

-         1 trade display stand

-         5 front-placed Gippy AGchat ads

-         material in satchel

-         2 seats at McGrath dinner table

-         logo prominently on all printed materials

-         naming rights to conference

-         major acknowledgement in opening speech

 Gold sponsor $5000 plus GST

-         3 tickets to Conference & Dinner

-         1 trade display stand

-         3 Gippy AGchat ads

-         material in satchel

-         1 seat at McGrath Dinner table

-         logo on all printed materials

-         acknowledgement in opening speech

 Silver sponsor $1500 plus GST

-         1 ticket to Conference & Dinner

-         material in satchel

-         1 trade display stand

-         2 GippyAGchat ads

-         logo on all printed materials

 Trade display stand $1000 plus GST

-         material in satchel

-         1 GippyAGchat ads

-         1 entry

-         logo on some printed materials

 Satchel sponsors $500 plus GST

-  material in satchel

- 1 Gippy AGchat ad

-  logo on satchel

-  logo on some printed materials

CONFERENCE SPONSORS ALREADY INCLUDE:

Elders

Victorian Government – Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Victoria

Bass Coast Shire Council

CONTACT US FOR THE BEST SHOT AT SUCCESS! Simply click in the comment line below and we’ll help you make your mark in Victorian agribusiness.

Or phone Sue 0402 267 802 or 03 9456 9791, fax 03 94599699 

Agribusiness Gippsland Inc works with farmers, local councils, state and federal government, catchment management authorities, community groups and others to support regional agribusiness and work in partnership with existing regional organisations. It is supported by the following Gippsland councils: Baw Baw, Bass Coast, Cardinia, East Gippsland, Latrobe City, South Gippsland and Wellington shires.

 PO Box 1312 Warragul VIC 3820   

Gippsland farms to feed future health needs May 7, 2009

Representatives from State Government and Gippsland agriculture have met in to plan a joint effort linking food production to public nutrition.
The project, led by Tarwin Lower farmer and consultant Jenny O’Sullivan, aims to make closer links between good nutrition and sustainable farming.
“We are considering the entire food supply chain, from the way we farm, how we grow it, transport it and present it to the consumer,” said Jenny.
“Modern life sees so much encouragement to eat meals of poor nutritive value. We want to see if we can take an ag-based approach to overcome this.  “It could be such a wide-ranging brief and even include involving urban design, schools and local councils to encourage a healthy lifestyle.”
Initial meetings have been held and the concept has active support among local councils, catchment management authorities and health bodies.
Farmer interests are represented by Agribusiness Gippsland Inc.
AGInc chair Alex Arbuthnot said: “Food security is starting to emerge as an issue in the public’s mind. Gippsland can take a lead in providing food of quantity as well as quality, but we need to set up the framework now.”