Future Drought Fund - Farm Business Resilience Program
Projected end date: 2029
Summary
The ACT Farm Business Resilience (FBR) Program helps farmers prepare for challenges that can affect their farm businesses. These challenges include drought, climate change, changing markets and other risks.
The first phase of the program ran from 2020 and 2025. Following its success, the Australian Government has provided more funding until 30 June 2029.
The program helps farmers build stronger businesses, care for their land, and stay connected to their community. It does this through training, learning with other farmers, expert advice, and practical activities to support long term success.
Background
The program is funded through the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund (FDF). The FDF is a $5 billion fund that helps farmers and regional communities prepare for drought and respond to climate challenges. The fund supports practical activities that help:
- build knowledge
- develop new skills
- try new ideas
- respond to changing conditions
The ACT Government works with the Australian Government to deliver the Farm Business Resilience Program in the ACT.
The project also works closely with industry groups, community organisations, and specialist partners. This helps make sure activities meet local needs and work alongside programs.
Project goals
The ACT Farm Business Resilience Program aims to:
- Help farmers and rural communities prepare for drought and climate challenges
- Help farmers build the skills and confidence to manage risks and make good business decisions.
- Encourage farming practise that improve farm productivity, landscape resilience, profits and long-term success.
- Strengthen connections between farmers and local farming groups.
- Create lasting benefits that continue after the program ends.
Building a strong and prepared farm business takes time. The program supports farmers to make small improvements over time that can lead to lasting benefits.
Project details
The program builds on the success of the first phase. It supports farmers, landholders and agricultural business across the ACT through:
- practical learning opportunities
- expert advice
- farmer network and peer support
The program looks at all parts of a farm business. It helps farmers improve their farm, income, and quality of life. It recognises that successful farms need healthy land, good planning, and support from family and the local community.
Farmers can take part in:
- workshops
- field days
- peer learning networks
- one-on-one advice
Farmers can learn about:
- Preparing for drought and a changing climate
- Managing land and natural resource
- Sustainable farming practices
- Farm business planning and decision-making
- Personal wellbeing and community support
A key part of the program is helping farmers plan for the future and build a strong farm business.
The program encourages farmers to:
- Identify risks and opportunities
- find areas for improvement
- take action to prepare for future challenges.
Farmers can also connect with established networks including:
- ACT Young Farmers Network
- Women in Agriculture Network
- Sustainable Grazing Group.
These networks give farmers opportunities to:
- share experiences
- learn from other farmers
- build connections within the local farming community.
Project partners and funding
Funding supports delivery of the program with project delivery partners:
- Landcare ACT delivering the Young Farmers Network. The network will help new and young farmers build skills, make connections, and prepare for challenges.
- Southern ACT Catchment Group delivering the Women in Agriculture Network. The network helps women in farming build confidence, skills, and community connections.
- ACT Rural Landholders Association of Farmers supporting the promotion and communication of the program.
More information
- Future Drought Fund - Farm Business Resilience Program
- Previous participants testimonials
- Other Future Drought Fund programs delivered by ACT Sustainable Agriculture
- Future Drought Fund – Regional Drought Resilience Program
- Future Drought Fund - Resilience Landscapes grant
What you can do
Contact the project managers if you are interested in:
- joining one of the social network groups
- participating in the broader program to build your farm resilience.
You must be an ACT rural landholder to participate.