Growers sprout silver lining

JENNIFER Robinson says her organisation has advocated for and supported small-scale farmers and growers through COVID-19, with a silver lining emerging in this difficult time.

For some years, Sprout Tasmania’s volunteer-run staff have provided expertise and support to smaller producers.

But general manager Ms Robinson said the pandemic created extra challenges and supply chain difficulties, making Sprout Tasmania’s work all the more important.

“A lot of them relied on hospitality for a large percentage of their sales,” she said.

“In the North, with Harvest Market closing, that was one of their main channels to individuals and families.”

She said joining the Department of Primary Industries’ newly formed Tasmanian Agricultural Co-ordination Group, with some 15 other industry representatives, had been “invaluable”.

“That’s helped us feed templates and information back to our members and farmers to lessen the burden of doing all of that themselves,” she said. Though many of her clients had been forced to refocus efforts on delivering to individuals and creating new products such as “veggie boxes”, Ms Robinson said the pandemic had seen some farmers given a lift as locals focused more on promoting local businesses.

“The silver lining in this horrendous experience could be an opportunity for us to look at how we function as a community and support those small farmers,” she said.

“It’s fantastic to see everyone being so collaborative.”