A group of people sitting on green plastic chairs underneath a big tree.

A group of people standing around and talking to each other, outside on a farm.

02 August 2023

Empowering Sustainable Farmers in Tasmania

Grant Amount: $55,000

Region: Tasmania

Delivered by: Sprout Tasmania

Year funded: 2023

Project status: In progress

The Challenge

Accessing land for new farmers in Australia poses serious challenges. Soaring land prices, particularly in regions close to urban centres, create significant financial barriers. Securing long-term leases can be difficult, as many landowners prefer short-term, less stable arrangements. Additionally, navigating complex regulations and administrative processes can be daunting for newcomers.

The Innovation

Sustainable Table is funding Sprout Tasmania to research the variety of models of share and lease farming within Australia and internationally. The organisation will develop a set of resources (including contract templates and case studies) that either land owners or wanna-be farmers can access to kick start this process and help to break down the barrier of access to land.

The project’s key objectives are:

To build the capacity of the small-scale producer sector. Sprout Tasmania recognises the need for an abundance of people farming in this way to bolster the food system in Tasmania, and to bring about long-term relationships between consumers and those that produce the food they eat.
To provide support and advocacy on a regular basis to the small-scale farming sector.
To increase the provision of seasonal, local produce provided from small-scale farms into all avenues of the food system.

Why did Sustainable Table fund this project?

Sprout Tasmania understands the small-scale farmers in Tasmania; their needs, ideas and challenges. They are well respected across industry and the sector as a whole.

Please consider donating today to help us support more projects like this and regenerate Australian food and farming.