Project jumpstarts community investment in local dairy farms

People passionate about dairy farming in Far North Queensland are invited to an information session on FNQ Dairy Pathways – a new project set to see the local dairy sector thrive into the long-term and support the next generation of farmers.
Dairy Farmers Milk Cooperative (DFMC) is one of the organisations driving the project. With 33 dairy farm members in the FNQ region, its team knows the opportunities and challenges.
“Reflecting agriculture generally, the traditional pathways to farm ownership are under pressure. It is too expensive for many young people to get started in the industry or buy their own farm,” said DFMC Executive Officer Mark Kebbell.
“But we believe that with the right support and local leadership, community investment can provide new options for people to enter and grow in dairy in FNQ.”
DFMC is collaborating with Cultivate Farms and Circular Head Farms to help the Atherton Tablelands community develop a scalable investment model that provides new opportunities for local dairy farm ownership.
Drawing on success of Tasmania’s Circular Head Farms model, the FNQ Dairy Pathways project seeks to establish a similar community investment in dairy farms around Malanda.
“Circular Head Farms raises funds from local investors to buy farms and then gets keen, often young farmers to run them,” said dairy farmer and Circular Head Farms founder Stephen Fisher.
“Over time, these sharefarmers can raise their own cows and eventually buy a stake in the farm.
“We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved in our local region – Circular Head Farms now owns and operates 12 dairies providing wealth creation opportunities for young farming families, and we believe the same can be done in FNQ.”
FNQ Dairy Pathways project manager Sam Marwood, who is also co-founder of farm succession innovator Cultivate Farms, says Tablelands locals will lead the development of the investment model because they know and understand the region’s farming potential, and its challenges, best.
“We’re bringing together a team of local Pathway Leaders to jumpstart development of the community investment model. They’ll be provided training and mentorship and will guide the project into the long-term, ensuring it maintains its focus on local benefit,” Sam said.
“Anyone passionate about the future of FNQ dairy farming – including farmers, business owners or local leaders – is encouraged to come to an information session and apply to be a Pathway Leader.”

Information sessions and BBQ

Location: Malanda Dairy Centre, 8 James St, Malanda.
Times: Monday 18 November, 6pm – 7:30pm
Tuesday 19 November, 12:30pm – 2pm
RVSP: Email Howard.smith@bega.com.au
To find out more about the project: Email sam@cultivatefarms.com.au

Media enquiries: Susan McNair, +61 439 389 202, susan@curriecommunications.com.au

About FNQ Dairy Pathways project

Dairy Farmers Milk Cooperative (DFMC), farm succession innovators Cultivate Farms and Circular Head Farms are collaborating to help the local FNQ community develop a scalable, community-led investment model that promotes sustainable, locally owned dairy farms.
Drawing on the learnings and success of the Circular Head Farms model in Tasmania, this project seeks to establish local community investment in dairy farms around Malanda in the Atherton Tablelands, and support dairying in the region thrive into the long term.
Founded by local farmer Stephen Fisher in 2014, Circular Head Farms raises funds from local investors to buy farms and then gets keen, often young, farmers to run them. Over time, these sharefarmers can raise their own cows and eventually buy a stake in the farm. The model has proven to be a great success, and Circular Head Farms has enabled local ownership of 12 farms with more than 9,000 cows, and provided career opportunities for young farming families.
This project will bring together, train and mentor a team of Local Pathway Leaders on the Atherton Tablelands, to jumpstart developing their own local community investment model.