Win for agribusinesses
Wimmera small-scale agribusinesses will share in a $2-million State Government boost.
Businesses including Grampians Olive Co. at Laharum and Five Ducks Farm at Pomonal plan to use money on new infrastructure and equipment upgrades.
They are two of more than 15 businesses across the Wimmera to receive up to $25,000 to help ‘scale-up, expand and diversify’ their products.
Five Ducks Farm co-owner Anita Evans said the grant money helped purchase commercial kitchen equipment and transform a shed storage space.
“This is very positive and will help tourists have better experiences when they visit us, while also allowing us to store more stock for them to buy,” she said.
“We purchased commercial kitchen equipment, which allows us to make a new product line.
“And we will be using local contractors to help with the building of our shed.”
Agriculture minister Jaclyn Symes said more than 130 businesses would benefit from SmallScale and Craft Program Business Development Grants across Victoria.
She said money would help small businesses grow and fill a need for jobs across Victoria.
“Small-scale and craft agribusinesses play a vital role in Victoria’s regional tourism and our reputation as a producer of quality food and beverages,” she said.
“As we move into recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, these grants will help businesses grow and diversify, generate jobs, boost our regional economies and build resilience.”
Ms Symes said other businesses to receive support included several craft beer breweries, a range of specialist distilleries, sourdough bakeries, specialist livestock farmers and horticulture such as mushrooms.
She said many of these businesses hosted tasting rooms or outlets on their properties for visitors to try their produce, while also supplying restaurants and bars or exporting their products internationally.
“The diverse range of businesses reflects the crucial role the small-scale and craft sector plays in regional economies, providing jobs and attracting tourists, as well as generating overseas sales,” she said.
Ms Symes said a further round of grants for larger projects up to $200,000 each would be announced later this year.
For a full list of recipients and to find out more about the smallscale and craft program, people can visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/ artisanag.