The Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund was announced by the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, on 21 March and will begin taking applications on 5 April.

Described as a competitive grant process open to Australian national agricultural industry representative bodies, the fund is designed to ensure agricultural leaders and their organisations are equipped with the skills to fulfil regulatory responsibilities.

The grants can be used to fund activities such as professional development, training courses, webinars or strategic planning activities. 

Minister Joyce said this once-off funding opportunity should enable peak agricultural representative organisations to develop the training and capacity to boost their elected representatives’ leadership skills long into the future.

“I encourage all interested industry bodies to get involved and find out more, including reading the guidelines that are already available,” Joyce said.

“Information sessions in capital cities have already been held and staff in my department are also happy to discuss the application process with interested people ahead of the grants opening,” he said.

The initiative forms an important part of the policy for a Stronger Agriculture Sector, announced at last year’s federal election to support Australian farmers who contribute around $58 billion to the nation’s economy

Barnaby Joyce said the Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund, would support farming, forestry and fishery leaders to gain the skills they need to effectively advocate agricultural commodity priorities into urban communities, join international trade delegations, open new markets and run national corporate organisations and agribusiness companies.

Applications open 5 April and close Wednesday 17 May, 2017. 

For more information, including the grant eligibility requirements, visit HERE. Those interested in receiving updates can register by email to [email protected] or call 1800 870 733.