Agritourism field day invitation The Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday Food and Agritoursim Strategic Action Plan (the Plan) is the first step in a catalyst process, designed to identify the key actions needed to encourage and support investment in new, quality food and agricultural tourism product. The Plan aims to foster the development of a vibrant regional food culture to underpin the tourism experience regionwide. It identifies opportunities for regional producers and tourism operators to collaborate to add value to their products and services, including leveraging growing consumer demand and trends for quality food experiences. The Queensland Government, Mackay Tourism Limited, and Whitsunday Marketing and Development Limited engaged Knowledge Transfer Services to facilitate the development of the Plan in consultation with the community. What is an agritourism field day? More than 70 food producers, tourism and hospitality operators, community members and local government representatives contributed their knowledge and experiences at a series of five workshops held throughout the Agritourism provides business opportunities for the agriculture and tourism sectors to work region. together and develop quality products, services and experiences for visitors and consumers. The consultation process identified missing links between key sectors and the various elements of the paddock to plate value chain. Whilst there is the desire from a producer perspective to accessto higher yielding markets, effective These activities add value to a farm and the surrounding region and can relate farm produce, collaboration is needed to address some of the gaps in systems and processes currently. These fundamental logistical connections the viability for producers to trade and distribute regionally. While there its environment or education about farmchallenge life. E.g. on-farm tours, accommodation, dining or is an appetite amongst commercial buyers to use the regions produce, they simply do not have access to reliable information and entertainment. a consistent supply of produce at a cost effective price to make it viable for their business. There are a number of existing businesses within the region who have the capacity to provide logistical and transport This information day will help you learn about nature-based and food services, however accessagritourism, to reliable and timely information on the availability, pricetourism and distribution of food is a significant issue. Strategic intervention is required to bring the supply, systems and demand together to make this opportunities that may be available how approach you can make work for you. viable. Aand collaborative will be requiredthem to establish a functioning regional paddock to plate value chain where the region will be able to develop and maintain the transition from an agricultural region to a food region. If you want to integrate tourism into your farm business, this field day will provide an introduction to the Agritourism Business Development Program. The program includes a series of six fullday workshops that are designed to help you prepare to establish and/or improve your food or agritourism business. Why should I come? • Agritourism is an opportunity to diversify farm business: it could provide an alternative or additional income stream and a succession plan for keeping the family on the farm. • Learn from locals: listen and learn from experienced local producers who are already on a path to developing food or agritourism as part of their farm business. • Find out about where to get advice: meet people from local and state government agencies who can help support development of your venture. Who can participate? The program is open to farmers, producers and rural land owners, whether or not you have considered farm-to-plate agriculture or have an idea you want to bring to life. If you are unsure, contact us and we’ll help you decide if it’s right for you. Agritourism field day events There is significant interest in supporting the implementation of the Plan from a number of producers and organisations in the paddock to plate value chain. A steering committee will be formed to consider the Plans recommendations and commence the implementation phase of the project. Presented by the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Region and facilitated by Knowledge Transfer Services, you are invited to join us at one of the following events: One of the first areas of focus for the steering committee will be to form a Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Food Council to ensure that the collaboration across industry sectors and between community and government continues and that the carriage of this plan remains a priority well into the future. A series of presentations on the Plan will be conducted in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday local government areas in late 2014. This will provide an opportunity for those who engaged with the planning process to be involved in taking the next steps to develop the MIW region as a well recognised food and agritourism region. Wed 18 Feb 2015 Mackay Region Agritourism Field Day Mon 16 Feb 2015 Whitsunday Region Agritourism Field Day Fri 20 Feb 2015 Isaac region Agritourism Field Day Whitsunday Gold Coffee Leighholmes, Freckle Farm, 1 minute north of Proserpine 432 Cheeseborough Rd 247 Olletts Road Eton on the Bruce Highway Clermont Registration: 8.30 am – 9 am Registration: 8.30 am – 9 am Registration: 8.30 am – 9 am Start: 9 am - 3 pm Start: 9 am - 3 pm Start: 9 am - 3 pm Cost: $30 (includes morning Cost: $30 (includes morning Cost: $30 (includes morning Launched by the Honourable Jann Stuckey MP, Minister for Tourism, Major Events, tea and lunch) tea and lunch) tea and lunch) Small Business and the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday, 8 October 2014. RSVP: Thurs 12 Feb 2015 RSVP: Fri 13 Feb 2015 To register visit: www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/agritourism For more information contact: Amanda Lavarack Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Office Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Phone: 07 4898 6811 Email: [email protected] RSVP: Tues 17 Feb 2015
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