As we entered the new financial year, we decided that a change is as good as a holiday and so we have changed the brand and the name of our organisation to AgriFood Catalyst.  This new brand allows us to focus on our passion for supporting Australian farmers, First Nations food entrepreneurs and food manufacturers to grow sustainably from paddock to packet.  Working closely with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers, AgForce Qld, Local Governments, Industry Organisations and individual businesses; we will continue to connect people, strategically deliver projects and support new innovations.  If you would like to work with us please send us an email to [email protected]

​We have had a long and fruitful working relationship with DAF.  When operating out of the Bunda St kitchens, DAF provided the expertise of food scientists to support our clients to develop commercially viable and tasty recipes.  In recent times we have partnered to deliver the Indigenous Native Food Development Program and recently we have received support to map the Indigenous food ecosystem in Queensland.  Amongst other projects, we have now taken on a three-month contract to work closely with the Regional Economic Development (RED) team providing agribusiness development support to primary producers, specifically in the Northwest Mineral Province and Atherton Tablelands region. If you have a project or would like to explore an innovation, please shoot Lara an email to [email protected]
Our work to strategically connect stakeholders in the agrifood industry takes on many forms.  Attending workshops, meetings and events as well as facilitating training and projects. We provide communications support to FNQ Growers and have been connecting our Queensland agrifood supply chain by attending monthly meeting to represent the growers of Far North Queensland to the Queensland Horticultural Council.  This allows us to advocate for growers and keep our finger on the industry pulse.

In our ongoing support of the FNQ Growers organisation, we have been interviewing the nominees for the 2024 Charlie Nastasi Farmer of the Year.  Taking the time to travel to farms throughout the FNQ region, film interviews with the nominees and then provide research on each to the judging panel, we have had a chance to get up close and personal with mango, papaya, citrus, sugar cane and lemon myrtle growers.  With four excellent finalists rising to the top of the list, we are very glad we are not a judge who has to pick the most innovative farming leader in the FNQ region this year. 
FNQ Growers President, Mr Joe Moro is impressed by the quality of finalists. “I believe that the horticultural industry in Far North Queensland has a very promising future with farmers like our finalists leading the way.” The 2023 Charlie Nastasi Farmer of the Year was Lorraine Stopford from Rocky Creek Orchards on the Atherton Tablelands. Lorraine was the first woman to win the title and was honoured to showcase the role that women play on farm.
​“I am privileged to be acknowledged for my work on farm, but I am also very aware that we are a family business, and my success has been built on the work that we do as a family.”
All of the nominations this year agreed that family was integral to farming success. Nominations were received from throughout the Far North Queensland region. Four finalists have been selected from the nominations to be assessed by the judges for their innovation, industry leadership and community contribution. Finalists include Joe Zappala growing papaya and sugar cane, Deb Nucifora growing mangoes, Claude Santucci growing lemons and sugar cane, and Bradley Moulton growing lemon myrtle.
Joe Zappala has been growing sugar cane and papayas on the family farm near South Johnstone for nearly forty years. He has invested heavily in fertigation systems and crop rotation to improve water efficiencies and soil quality. Joe also works with Papaya Australia to grow seed supplies with breeding systems to develop superior plant varieties.
Deb Nucifora is active in the community as well as in her mango business. A hard-working volunteer and business manager, Deb attends every Mango industry conference and is always looking for opportunities to develop the Deb’s Gold Mangoes brand.
Claude Santucci has been a leader of the cane industry for many years and brings his experience as a mentor and community leader to the citrus industry. Claude believes that citrus growers can learn a lot from the cane industry particularly in the strategy to be price makers rather than price takers.
Bradley Moulton leads the team at Australian Native Products as the largest grower and processor of organic Lemon Myrtle in the country. With farms in the Mareeba area as well as over the border in Northern New South Wales, Bradley is working to make the farm as sustainable as possible and working to develop export markets.
FNQ Growers will announce the winner of the 2024 Charlie Nastasi Farmer of the Year Award at the black tie gala dinner on September 13thin Mareeba. Join them for the charity auction and entertainment by Shandell at the Mareeba International Club as they celebrate the very best of farming in Far North Queensland. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased through www.trybooking.com/COTDM

ATIC project is gaining momentum in the region with plenty of projects and events underway.   

This Friday the 6th of September, Angela Nason from Tablelands2Tabletop will be hosting a workshop to engage more of our community and gain their feedback. 

​Be sure to stay up to date on new ATIC developments by subscribing to the newsletter: https://www.sustainabletable.org.au/projects/cairns-atherton-tablelands
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Since completing the Growcom, Future Fields project to establish a framework mapping the Indigenous Food Ecosystem, Lara has been on the road researching the native food supply chain as a part of our QRIDA project.  With time behind the wheel out to the NT and down to the NSW border, Lara is leaving no stone unturned in her hunt for the key stakeholders in the Indigenous food ecosystem.
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Lara recently met with Rayleen Brown, Chair of First Nations Bushfoods and Botanicals Alliance Australia (FNBBAA) in Alice Springs, to collaborate on the ecosystem map and formalise an arrangement to work together to support the industry. The team is looking forward to working closely with organisations like FNBBAA to support Indigenous owned food initiatives in their community. If you would like to contribute to the map or be involved, please email Lara at [email protected]
AgriFood Catalyst is supporting Blak Star Solutions to get contact information of First Nations businesses/organisations in the Cairns and surrounding areas including Yarrabah, Mossman, Port Douglas, Cassowary Coast and Tablelands. If you would like to connect with the project please email Marcella at [email protected]


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The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) has invited us to attend the National Mentoring Summit in Canberra on October 20th and 21st.  We look forward to sharing our experience of mentoring programs in the industry and our region.  If you would like to know more about the ARLF mentoring programs please visit https://rural-leaders.org.au/national-mentoring-program-drought-initiative

Queensland horticultural growers will be better supported to tackle the complexities faced around climate risks, market challenges, and modern farm management with further support now available through Growcom’s Farm Business Resilience Program (FBRP) for horticulture. Previous FBRP Program Manager Karen George has moved to take on an exciting new role as Knowledge Broker with the TNQ Drought Hub.  Former Harvest Trail Information Service State Manager, Kristy Banks has taken the reins as the new FBRP Program Manager, bringing a wealth of experience in horticultural extension program management.  Joining the team are Lara Wilde, Managing Director of AgriFood Catalyst, and Ebony Faichney, Founder and Managing Director of Farmour.
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Lara is no stranger to FBRP, having been a longtime collaborator with the program assisting FBRP clients with business advice in her previous role as CEO of the FNQ Food Incubator.  “We’ve worked with growers for many years to create value added, shelf stable products from surplus produce; creating new income streams and opportunities for brand awareness.” Lara said. “Collaborating with QFVG to deliver the FBRP means we can connect our growers with many more services and supports to make their farm business more resilient. We really appreciate working with such a professional team and such a comprehensive and supportive program,” said Lara.
Ebony is a horticulturalist and Managing Director of Farmour. Most recently, she worked alongside mango growers in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, through “the wet season that just never wanted to end,” as she put it.  “It’s great to be part of the QFVG team to deliver this program in Mareeba and surrounds. The self-assessment is an easy tool for a quick business health check-up, in addition to the drought funding and loan products available. I look forward to helping new and old clients get the most out of what we can offer.”
The FBRP has been open to horticultural growers throughout the state since 2021. In this time 187 growers have completed the Farm Business Resilience module within the industry’s best management practice platform, Hort360.
Horticultural growers’ engagement with FBRP has led to a variety of farm business improvements including:

• Valley Syndicate, Bungundarra: John Cranny used the Program to secure a QRIDA Sustainability Loan, which helped finalise the finances needed to acquire a stake in the family farm. This support helped ensure the farm’s continuity and resilience through careful planning and succession management.
• Lakeland Produce, Lakeland: Through the Program Maria Lorenzo was able to complete a whole farm risk analysis and develop a business plan to produce value-added organic products. She plans to grow her farm with QRIDA support to fund a dam to improve water security and farm resilience.
• Carey Farm, Dimbulah: Rita and Jim Carey identified the need for a pig exclusion fence to protect their irrigation and reduce water costs. Although this became a self-funded project, it shows how important resilience planning is for dealing with specific farm challenges.
• Mackays Group, Lakeland: Mackays Group used the Program to successfully apply for a QRIDA Drought Preparedness Grant. This helped them build a pipeline extension that significantly improved water security, allowing them to irrigate more land and maintain operations during drought.

The FBRP team is ready to continue working with growers across the state to access practical advice and tools that fit their needs, and financial support to build more resilient farms that are equipped to handle the uncertainties and challenges of the horticulture industry.
To make an appointment to start your Farm Business Resilience Plan, email Lara at [email protected]

FIAQ provides valuable assistance in various areas such as education, grants, employment, food safety, technological issues, general advice, leadership, supply chain, operations, and HR. Currently they are delivering food safety training and mentoring programs. 
FIAQ were recently in Cairns running a series of workshops for food manufacturers and entrepreneurs in the region.  Lara took the time to meet with President Jana Cameron to discuss how AgriFood Catalyst could best support FIAQ to assist food businesses.  With our support we hope to see many more FIAQ workshops and programs in the region including their fantastic mentoring program.
Nominations are now open for the Food Industries Association of Queensland (FAIQ) Annual Awards 2024! Do you know an individual, team, or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the food industry this year? Now is the time to recognize their hard work and innovation for the below categories. Nominate them here: https://foodindustries.com.au/food-manufacturing-nomination/

QLD Food Manufacturer of the Year 2024
QLD Quality Champion of the Year 2024
The Fresh Faces Award: Recognising Rising Stars in Food Manufacturing 2024
QLD Food Development & Innovation Champion of the Year 2024
 
For more information please visit: www.foodindustries.com.au

On the 19th of September we will be heading to Mossman to learn more about the latest developments in future plans for the Mossman Sugar Mill.  If you would like to be included please email Lara at [email protected]

Planning is underway for a soils workshop at Stockade Farms On October 11th.  The full day workshop is sponsored by Growcom and will include presentations by Dhiraj Gajera, Regional Soils Coordinator – TNQ Drought Hub; Jess Uhlig from Green Foods Australia and Simon Jackson from Stockade Farms.  If you have an idea for the workshop or feedback please email us at [email protected]