Agri-Innovation Business Development Program 2020

The first round of the Agri-Innovation Business Development Program (BDP) wrapped up in December 2020. This program, a part of the Wakool Agri-Innovation Program, was delivered by Regionality and designed to guide participants through a process of exploring opportunities to innovate, diversify, and value-add in their businesses. 

This program was not like learning at TAFE or hiring a business consultant. Instead, the BDP provided an immersive, hands-on venture planning program. This program was delivered through a series of group workshops and one-on-one planning sessions, tailored to help participants learn new concepts to apply to their specific industries and ventures. Homework was an important part of this process, as each workshop provided an opportunity for participants to update the group on their learnings. 

The first two sessions of the program were held in March 2020 at the Wakool Hotel. These sessions provided an opportunity for a range of Wakool businesses to come together and discuss their professional goals. Covid-19 made for significant challenges in program delivery. While the program had been designed to take place in a face-to-face format, a shift to online delivery ensured the program could continue. Despite this hurdle, 8 of 10 participating businesses followed the program through until its end. 

Above: Program participant Hayley of Pattison Pastoral on the cover of The Bridge Newspaper on 21 January, 2021.

Above: Program participants at the final Business Development session in December 2020.

The last session of the 2020 Business Development Program was held at the Wakool Hotel. Each participant provided the group with an update on their business or enterprise, also giving feedback on the program stages and overall design. Together, the group discussed key challenges they had faced and identified possible roadblocks and avenues for new opportunities in their businesses. 

Examples of ventures explored by participants include Hayley Pattison's launch of a Paddock-to-Plate platform for Pattison Pastoral, and Kate Redfearn's exploration of new waste-management and utilisation techniques for 12 Good Eggs. 

Though the program has concluded for 2020, WMLIG and Regionality will continue to provide support to participants. Ultimately, the BDP provided participants with an encouraging environment to explore new perspectives and bond over new ideas.

If you would like more information about the Agri-Innovation Business Development Program, contact leigh.fletcher@wmlig.org. 

Program Partners:

This event was a WMLIG initiative, facilitated by Regionality and made possible through funding from the Australian Government as part of the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program.