What we do
Since 2006, Rural Business Support has been working closely with our partners to provide a range of programs across South Australia and the Northern Territory to help farmers who are doing it tough to find their way back to financial wellbeing, and in doing so, to help preserve their families, their communities and their dignity.
We have been on a constant journey to find ways to do more to make a difference in the lives of rural business people and their families.
We believe that sustainable rural communities are essential for Australia’s future, and that by supporting rural communities through adversity we have the opportunity to empower business owners with the knowledge and confidence needed to build future resilience.
Our business financial counsellors and strategic analysts co-design business programs aimed at collaboratively removing barriers to building resilient rural businesses.
With a focus on developing better business practices, financial and industry literacy, growing individual capabilities and building confidence; our programs are developed and delivered in partnership with federal and state governments, industry groups and other agencies.
Tap below to found out more about our recent Programs.
AUSVEG Business Health Check
The Business Health Check was set up under VegNET SA, a research and development extension and business capacity building program, funded by Hort Innovation.
CURRENT
NT Farmers Financial Fitness
In partnership with the NT Farmers Association (NTFA), Rural Business Support is delivering the NTFA Financial Fitness Program to growers in the Darwin and Katherine regions.
COMPLETED
Pastoral Business Review
In Collaboration with Outback Community Authority Rural Business Support was contracted to deliver the OCA/RBS Pastoral Business Review in the Northern Flinders Ranges.
COMPLETED
Please speak to Chief Executive Officer, Brett Smith, on 1800 836 211 if you’d like to partner with us to assist your industry group to develop their business and financial literacy.
Historical Projects
Government
Best Practice Management Programme (Punjabi growers in Riverland SA)
Ten week program for Sikh and Punjabi men providing assistance to improve their financial position. Topics included support in making informed decisions, improving self-esteem and motivation as well as support with a life plan direction.
Skills Training for Farmers
A series of workshops for SA’s farming community following the results of the RBS commissioned report (produced by Rural Directions) “Characteristics of Profitable South Australian Farming Businesses from 2006-2010”. The workshops explored the challenges facing farmers now and into the future, and the business management skills required in the sector to meet those challenges head on. The workshops also explored how farmers learn and the preferred delivery mechanisms, as well as the hook to get farmers into learning. The workshops also discussed issues such as ‘who pays’ and ‘who delivers’.
Succession Planning Assistance
A promotional campaign on Succession Planning for the Rural Financial Counselling Service was developed through funding from the Australian Government. Promotional material, a tool kit and an extensive communications program including workshops, print and TV advertising was developed resulting in succession planning assistance hours increasing 485% over a one year period.
Farm Management Tools Project (Plan to Profit)
The Farm Management Tools Project utilised state government funding to contract a consultant to research the agribusiness sector for best practice farm management tools for use by Rural Financial Counsellors. The successful consultants were required to gain an understanding of current service practices, existing client needs and identify a range of business tools available in the agribusiness field to assist clients in betting understanding their business position and reaching objectives. Mike Krause from Applied Economic Solutions developed the Plan to Profit software which assists clients with a five year scenario of business options.
Drought Response
In addition to heightened staffing levels for rural financial counselling from 2006 to 2010, rural financial counsellors facilitated Drought Information Sessions and Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy Application Centres across all areas of the state.
Branched Broomrape Eradication Program
Rural Financial Counselling assistance was provided to farm businesses within the branched broomrape exclusion zone, assisting them to deal with additional imposts as a result of the eradication program.
Strategic, Succession and Family Workshops
A $100,000 project to facilitate workshops throughout SA included RBS managing a tender process to select and appoint professional presenters to deliver workshops in all regions of the state. A total of 23 workshops were held, on a variety of topics including cost of production, strategic and succession planning.
Characteristics of Profitable Farms 2006-2010 Project
On behalf of the Government of South Australia RBS managed a research project on the common characteristics of 33 farming business, from different regions and industries, who remained profitable over the 2006-2010 period of drought. Funding was then utilised to facilitate the NRAC tour of the Riverland and Lower Murray on behalf of the state government, and to publish a document of case studies of farmers who exited industry during the drought.
SA Department of Communities and Social Inclusion – Sampson Flat Bushfire DSCI Case Management
Case management of individuals affected by the Sampson Flat Bushfire, assessment and evaluation of business, development of business recovery plan including redevelopment and operational improvements, business diversification and access to new markets, documentation of plan and file note maintenance as well as a monthly reporting to Department of State Development and Sampson Flat Business Bushfire Recovery Committee.
Industry
Farm Business Strategic Review
Through strategic briefing sessions, RBS assisted family businesses to develop a Strategic Action Plan using proven tools and on-farm support to consider fundamental questions around where their business was at, clarify where it was going and commit with confidence to where the family ideally wanted it to be. Since its inception, pilot versions of the program have been successfully delivered to farming families in the dairy, pork, grains and livestock sectors, including in drought-affected regions, with the backing of PIRSA and industry bodies. One of the key outcomes was the preparation of bank reviews to assist with securing the necessary financial and consulting support to implement strategic action plans.
Business Skills Workshop
Through interactions with horticulturalists in the Virginia area following the Gawler River flood event, we identified the longer term capacity building potential of providing tailored business skills training for this ethnically diverse group. After seeking and securing funding from the Department of Industry and Skills, RBS delivered a series of free business skills workshops for the mostly Cambodian and Vietnamese horticulturalists in this community. Most of the participants spoke little or no English, so we had all of our materials and presentations translated into either Khmer or Vietnamese. The sessions were well received by growers, providing a valuable template for RBS around the effectiveness of providing business skills training to producers in their primary languages.
Farm Business Advisory Service
RBS Farm Business Analyst’s dedicated their services to support farmers become more profitable and secure in their enterprise by working with clients to:
- Look at the health of their business
- Consider family transition plans
- Align goals and aspirations
- Put future plans on a page
SA Wine and Grape Growing Industry Scoping Project
RBS employed a business support specialist to provide an enhanced level of assistance to wine grape growing clients in SA which included a scoping study to develop a strategic approach to industry wide adjustment. An outcome of the project was a proposal for a pilot project in a cool climate wine growing region for a planned approach to structural adjustment.
SA Fish Industry Scoping Project
As a result of reduced catches, increasing input costs, concerns regarding marine park declarations and the strong Australian Dollar, it was recognised that a significant number of fishers may become eligible for Rural Financial Counselling assistance. In 2010/11, the Service employed a business support specialist to work with the fishing industry to scope the likely need for additional assistance and promote outcomes for the industry.
NT Fish Industry Scoping Project
Following contact with the Northern Territory Seafood Council (NTSC) and Primary Industries and Resources (NT Government) it was determined to employ a consultant to survey and scope the NT fish industry to determine the need (if any) for additional rural financial counselling assistance. The study revealed a number of fisheries which were declining in value and heightened concern of industry participants surrounding the impending marine park declarations.
Uniting Communities – Managing Your Farm Business
Content development and program delivery to farming families in relation to business planning as well as mentoring and referral to other business service providers.
SA Murray Darling Basin NRM – Farm Boards Pilot
Content development and program delivery to farming families in relation to financial management and planning as well as governance.
Partnerships - University of Adelaide
Rural Services Survey
RBS participated in a University of Adelaide PhD candidate research on whether family owned farms are at a disadvantage when compared to corporate farms in accessing finance. The research, funded by the Australian Research Council, utilised the current RBS client list with 54 clients accepting to participate.
The Survival of Australia’s Family Owned Farms: Capital Raising and Credit Access
RBS participated in a University of Adelaide PhD candidate research on whether family owned farms are at a disadvantage when compared to corporate farms in accessing finance. The research, funded by the Australian Research Council, utilised the current RBS client list with 54 clients accepting to participate.
