Northern Rivers Farmer Incubator Program
Year 1, 2024
Position Description
Job Title: Northern Rivers Farmer Incubator Program Participant (2024)
Reporting to: Andy Carbone, The Farm Manager / Georgina Johnson, Farmer’s Footprint Australia Partnerships Manager / Jordyn de Boer, The Farm Community Engagement
Internship: Volunteer /NSW NEIS Business Program supported (if applicable)
Hours: 16 – 24 hours per week, for 14 - 16 months (January 2024 – March 2025) . Plus occasional additional workshop or event hours.
Location: The Farm, 11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale, NSW, 2481
Position: 2 successful applicants will be in place for the duration of the program
Deadline: Applications for the 2024 Program close on 15th November 2023
About the Farmer Incubator Program
The Northern Rivers Farmer Incubator Program has been developed to create pathways for young farmers to upskill in the food systems industry. Over a 14-16 month period, candidates will be supported to establish and steward a 0.5 acre market garden business, through organic and regenerative farming practices.
The goals of the program are to:
Equip and empower young farmers with practical skills, experience and a network of diverse support systems
Encourage the growth, diversity and strength of local food systems
Support the establishment of new enterprises in the Northern Rivers Region
Contribute to the regeneration of land and topsoil, ensuring food security and resilience locally, regionally, and nationally
About the position
The position has been developed to upskill the current and future generations of stewards with toolkits that go beyond ecological practices; drawing on business fundamentals, finance and marketing toolkits. Identified as a large missing piece of the small-scale agricultural and food systems education system in Australia, the program is set to enable the graduation of participants to be equipped with a diverse set of skills, knowledge and connections to commence their own business in the food systems industry. If successful, you will be responsible for the establishment and stewardship of a 0.5 acre market garden, and management of pathways to market with the support of the Incubator Program Team. As part of the program, you will also attend regular workshops, business development courses, and mentorship sessions in order to increase your skills, experience and networks.
Roles and responsibilities:
Establish and manage the day-to-day operations of a 0.5 acre market garden, including crop scheduling, soil preparation, weed management, integrated pest and disease control, seed raising, planting and irrigation/watering
Establish relationships with retailers, chefs, farmers markets and other market pathways
Harvest and prepare produce for sale to chosen market pathways, and attend weekly farmers market stall (if relevant)
Attend regular mentor sessions, workshops, meetings, field days, as well as Self-Employment Assist requirements (if applicable)
Participant Expenses:
Inputs - compost, mulch, amendments, seedlings
Public Liability and Product Liability Insurance (sole trader)
Market stall weekly membership (if applicable) - $50/week shared between participants
Participant Requirements:
Attend all workshops and meetings provided by the Farmer Incubator Program in order to have completed the program
Have an ABN, and obtain your own Public Liability and Product Liability insurance as a Sole Trader for the duration of the program
Have secure accommodation in the region and transport
Be able to support themselves financially for the duration of the program (or until such that sales of produce can support you). The program may be eligible for support through the NSW Self-Employment Assistance program.
Submit an evaluation report at the end of each month, and attend regular meetings with the Partnerships Manager of Farmer’s Footprint Australia and Community Engagement Coordinator of The Farm
Cover the cost of inputs required to maintain the market garden (i.e compost, mulch, seeds, seedlings, amendments, etc)
Develop and submit a business plan for their market garden business
Livelihood
Must be able to demonstrate existing and secure accommodation in the Northern Rivers region
Must be able to demonstrate the ability to make a 14 month commitment to the program, including sufficient income outside of the program to ensure stability
As a candidate, you will be provided with:
0.5 acres lease-free for 12 months (Jan 2023 - Jan 2023), located at The Farm, in Ewingsdale Byron Bay. There is the potential to lease further land located on the premises or be supported to secure a suitable offsite location post graduation of program if the program is completed successfully and beneficial for all parties
The regular support of mentors throughout the program, located at The farm and Byron Shire Council
A series of facilitated workshops with experts and leaders in the industry on a diverse series of topics integral to achieving resilient local food production knowledge and systems. These include workshops covering Business Management and Finances, Soil Health, Pest & Disease Management, Agroecology, Pathways to market, Meet the Chefs,
Provided avenues for pathways to market such as retailers, local markets and restaurants
Water and irrigation use on-site
Use of machinery on-site
Use of processing facilities
Work experience and skills
Essential experience
At least 2 years experience both in theory and practice in farming or other relevant field
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Desirable qualifications
A form of study, practice or ongoing participation in education on ecological practices, methodologies and theories
Demonstration of previous commitment to programs, employment or education (and completion)
Personal qualities and traits
Passion for regenerative agriculture, organic farming practices and philosophies, or similar
Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills; you will be working within a growers collective
The ability to work independently and part of a team
Self-motivated, innovative and with a strong work ethic
Physical resilience; you will be growing throughout varying seasonal and climate challenges
Positive, can-do attitude
Willing to work flexible hours in response to seasonal changes
Relationships
Details of relationships relevant to this role
You will be working closely with the other individuals involved in the growers collective on The Farm
You will be working with mentors, workshop facilitators, and retail networks
You will be working closely with The Farms Manager, Andy Carbone, The Farms Community Engagement Coordinator, Jordyn de Boer and Farmer’s Footprint Australia’s Partnerships Manager, Georgina Johnson
If you have any questions contact georgina.johnson@farmersfootprint.org.au or jordyn.deboer@thefarm.com.au