iDairy - a sustainable farming future
iDairy is a once in a life time opportunity and a completely new way of developing emerging leaders. It will increase the industry sustainability and positively portray dairying, enhancing the attraction and retention of people to the sector. iDairy is a multi-faceted project consisting of an overseas study tour, development of a documentary, a special dinner documentary premiere, plus the development of a short film to be launched on various platforms.
With a competitive application process, only five participants will be selected to travel on the overseas tour and develop the documentary and short film, all with the assistance of a project coordinator. The travel itinerary is likely to include visits to China, Holland, Sweden and Chile. Participants will play an active role in organising a high profile dinner and documentary premiere, showcasing the industry and international tour. Participants will also be expected to actively participate in sessions that share their experiences with the Young Dairy Farmer Network SA.
Does this project sound interesting to you? Then please apply! For the application form, click on the link on under Relevant Documents to the left of this screen.
Contact
Penny McArdle
Mobile: 0428 501 779
Email: penny.mcardle@dpi.vic.gov.au
Making Milk Solid Business
Making Milk Solid Business was a series of three two-day workshops. The workshop series helped participants better understand the dairy industry and build their industry networks, while highlighting the importance of farmer input into industry policy and ongoing industry engagement.
The workshops covered a range of topics addressing business management skills, risk management techniques, leadership capabilities, as well as local and global industry awareness. The workshops introduced some excellent speakers and industry leaders to help motivate participants to develop themselves, and everyone was matched with a mentor to provide continued support and guidance after the sessions ended.
16 young South Australian dairy farmers were involved in this program.
The workshops were run through DairySA and the DEC with funding from the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Next Gen program.
Young Dairy Farmers Network
DairySA recently delivered the Moovers and Shakers project aimed at delivering a vibrant and informative forum, interstate study tour and development of the SA young dairy farmer network plan.
The forum was a huge success. It was developed by a group of enthusiastic young dairy farmers and dairy extension staff. Over 100 people participated in the key note sessions and series of 10 workshops.
Eight SA young farmer participated in the Moovers and Shakers study tour to Southern Qld and Northern NSW. They attended a young farmer forum as well as farm tours, learning about the young farmer network in that area and farming systems.
What is the Young Dairy Farmer Network S.A.?
The Young Dairy Farmer Network S.A. (YDFN SA) was developed to provide training, education and social interaction opportunities for young people in South Australia working in the dairy industry, with a particular focus on the development of young dairy farmers.
What does it offer?
Being a part of the network is a fundamental way of communicating with young people in the dairy industry to ensure they receive the information they need to reach their goals. The YDFN SA aims to build a stronger and savvier group of young dairy farmers, who are focused on enhancing the profitability and sustainability of the farm businesses in which they work. This is achieved through regional discussion groups, study tours, workshops, forums and specific training.
Created in 2009, the YDFN SA through DairySA has delivered hugely successful events and activities for young dairy farmers including Moovers & Shakers: Young Dairy Farmer Forum, special dinner events, Making Milk Solid Business workshop series, tours, dairy discussion groups, regular e-newsletters and iDairy.
The YDFN SA Advisory committee meets twice a year to provide input into YDFN SA activities and provide grass-roots feedback on what young dairy farmers are seeking to improve themselves, their involvement in the industry and the industry itself.
In 2010 eight young South Australian dairy farmers participated in the Moovers & Shakers Study Tour where participants attended the Skimming the Cream forum in Brisbane, met with other young dairy farmer networks and visited farms in SE Queensland and the Far North Coast of NSW.
Anually DairySA support small groups of young SA dairy farmers taking part in the GippsDairy coordinated Don Campbell Memorial Study Tour to Tasmania. DairySA and Dairy Australia also support one SA young farmer attending the Australian Dairy Conference each year.
Progressive groups of young dairy farmers meet regularly in the form of young dairy farmer discussion groups across the State with other young dairy farmer activities regularly held.
How to get involved?
To keep up to date with events, activities and training relevant to young dairy farmers in SA, please call the YDFN SA Coordinator to register your details. You will be kept notified via email and/or text message (you may nominate a preference), and for those that are familiar with Facebook, the Young Dairy Farmer Network S.A. has a Facebook page. The DairySA Dairy Diary, which can be found on this website, will also be listing YDFN SA events and contact information.
There is no pressure to join a discussion group or attend every event opportunity, you may wish to just be kept informed and select activities that interest you and your dairy farm business.
For more information or if you have any questions please contact:
Dairy Extension Officer
Penny McArdle
Mobile: 0428 501 779
Email: penny.mcardle@dpi.vic.gov.au
DairySA
Verity Ingham
Mobile: 0428 660 127
verity@dairysa.com.au