Beyond the Farm Gate: Turning Produce, Waste and Ideas into Viable Products & Tourism Attractions
Description
Beyond the Farm Gate: Turning Produce, Waste and Ideas into Viable Products & Tourism Attractions
A 5-week Lunch & Learn series for Northern Rivers producers, growers and makers
25 June - 30 July, 2026
Hosted by Vitality Farms Northern Rivers
Beyond the Farm Gate is a practical 5-week Lunch & Learn series designed to help Northern Rivers producers, growers, makers and food businesses explore value-adding, diversification and new income pathways.
Across five weekly sessions, we will look at what you already have — produce, surplus, waste streams, by-products, land, skills, infrastructure, relationships, provenance, production methods or ideas — and explore whether these could become viable products, services, partnerships or pilot projects.
Each session will feature a combination of guest experts, producers or case studies, with Laticia Braving from Vitality Farms Northern Rivers facilitating the conversation and guiding participants through a practical pathway from idea to viability.
This is not a theory-heavy webinar series. It is designed to help you bring a real opportunity, challenge or idea and look at it through five key lenses:
Opportunity
Market
Technical feasibility
Producer readiness
Commercial viability
By the end of the series, participants should have a clearer understanding of what they could value-add, who might buy or benefit from it, what technical or compliance questions need to be answered, whether the idea is viable, and what their next best step could be.
Who is this for?
This series is designed for Northern Rivers:
Producers
Growers
Makers
Food businesses
Landholders
Small-scale farmers
Value-add businesses
Supply chain and food system collaborators
Anyone exploring diversification, product development or new income pathways from what they already grow, raise, make, waste, know or have access to
Why attend the full series?
We encourage participants to join the full 5-part series, as each session builds on the last and is designed to help you move from idea to viability.
The series will help you explore:
What the opportunity might be
Who it could be for
Whether it can be made, tested or improved
What needs to be in place before taking it to market
Whether it is commercially viable and worth progressing
However, we know producers, growers and makers are busy, so single-session tickets are also available for those who want to attend a specific topic or access the recording.
Can’t make it live? Register anyway!
Each session will be recorded and shared with registered participants after the event.
We encourage you to attend live where possible, as there will be opportunities to ask questions, contribute to the conversation and connect with others across the Northern Rivers food, farming and producer ecosystem.
But if you are on-farm, in the middle of work, or unable to attend at the scheduled time, your registration will still give you access to the recording.
Session overview
Session 1: Finding the Opportunity
Thursday 25 June | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Guest speakers include Kelly Johnson from Woodlane Pantry and regional tourism expert, Linda Tillman, from the Tilma Group.
Session 2: Customers, Relationships and Routes to Market
Thursday 2 July | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Bree Wallace from Clarence Valley Organics, and former farmer and industry advocate, Julie Shelton from Forage.
(Please note there is a two-week gap here between session 2 and 3)
Session 3: Product Development, Testing and Technical Feasibility
Thursday 16 July | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Guest contributors include Sophie Perisce from Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) and Katrina Patton, Pyewackets Traditional.
Session 4: Producer Readiness, Compliance and Market Access
Thursday 23 July | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Guest contributors include Amanda Burchmann from JAB Agrisolutions and Kerry Rogers.
Session 5: Planning for Profit and Next Steps
Thursday 30 July | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Guest contributors include Emma Wallace, Rural Financial Counselling Service and Pam Brooks from Brookvale Farm.
Tickets
Full 5-Part Series Pass — $35
Includes access to all five live sessions and all five recordings.
Single Session Ticket — $10
Includes access to one live session and its recording.
VFNR Circle Members — Free
Members can access the series using the member code shared inside the VFNR Circle platform.
Description
Session 1: Finding the Opportunity
Beyond the Farm Gate: Turning Produce, Waste and Ideas into Viable Products & Tourism Attractions
Thursday 25 June | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
What could become something more valuable?
Join Vitality Farms Northern Rivers for the first session in our Beyond the Farm Gate Lunch & Learn series — a practical 5-week program designed to help producers, growers and makers explore value-adding, diversification and new income pathways.
This first session will focus on identifying opportunities.
Many farms and food businesses already hold untapped value in what they grow, raise, make, waste, know or have access to. That might be surplus produce, by-products, waste streams, underused infrastructure, skills, land, provenance, production methods, relationships or ideas that have not yet been tested.
Guest speakers include Kelly Johnson from Woodlane Pantry and regional tourism expert, Linda Tillman, from the Tilma Group.
This session will be facilitated by Laticia Braving from Vitality Farms Northern Rivers.
Together, we will look at:
What you already have access to
What is currently underused, wasted or overlooked
Whether this could become a product, service, collaboration or pilot project
What may be worth exploring further
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Kelly Johnson from Woodlane Pantry — an award winning advocate for local food systems and regional produce, known for creating thoughtful, value-added food experiences grounded in connection, provenance and community.
Participant outcome
You will leave with a clearer sense of possible value-add opportunities within your own farm, business or network.
Can’t make it live?
Register anyway. This session will be recorded and shared with registered participants after the event.
Live attendance is encouraged, as there will be time for questions and discussion, but registering ensures you can still access the recording if you cannot attend on the day.
Description
Session 2: Customers, Relationships and Routes to Market
Thursday 2 July | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Who would buy it, use it or help bring it to life?
The second session in the Beyond the Farm Gate Lunch & Learn series will focus on customers, buyers, relationships and routes to market.
Having a good idea is only one part of the picture. For a value-added product, collaboration or pilot project to work, producers also need to understand who it is for, who might buy it, who could help distribute it, and what makes a product or producer easier to work with.
This practical session will explore market demand, buyer readiness, hospitality and wholesale relationships, collaboration, pricing, consistency, logistics and the importance of building trust across the food system.
Guest contributors from local food networks, including Bree Wallace from Clarence Valley Organics and former farmer and industry advocate, Julie Shelton from Forage.
This session will be facilitated by Laticia Braving from Vitality Farms Northern Rivers.
Together, we will look at:
Who the customer, buyer or partner could be
What problem the product or idea solves
What buyers need from producers
What makes a product easier to stock, serve, promote or distribute
What relationships could help bring an idea to life
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Julie Shelton from Forage is a former farmer and former Chair of the Food and Agribusiness Network. She brings deep experience in local food systems, producer support and industry connection, helping producers explore buyers, relationships and practical routes to market.
Participant outcome
You will begin identifying who your customer, buyer, partner or route to market could be — and what you may need to consider before approaching them.
Can’t make it live?
Register anyway. This session will be recorded and shared with registered participants after the event.
Live attendance is encouraged, as there will be time for questions and discussion, but registering ensures you can still access the recording if you cannot attend on the day.
Description
Session 3: Product Development, Testing and Technical Feasibility
Thursday 16 July | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Can it be made, tested or improved?
The third session in the Beyond the Farm Gate Lunch & Learn series will explore product development, testing and technical feasibility.
This session is designed to help producers, growers and makers understand what may be required to move an idea from concept to something that can be tested, improved or eventually taken to market.
For food products in particular, questions around ingredients, processing, shelf life, safety, packaging, consistency, storage and product performance can quickly shape whether an idea is viable. Understanding these questions early can save time, money and frustration.
Guest contributors include Sophie Perisce from Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) and Katrina Patton from Pyewackets.
This session will be facilitated by Laticia Braving from Vitality Farms Northern Rivers.
This session will explore:
What makes an idea technically ready
What information you need before seeking support
When you may need a food technologist, researcher or technical partner
What testing or proof-of-principle support can look like
How early technical advice can help shape a stronger product
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Sophie Perisce from Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA) will bring practical insight into how food ideas can move from concept to testing. Sophie will help unpack what producers and makers need to consider around ingredients, processing, shelf life, safety, consistency, when to seek technical support, and the support available through FaBA.
Katrina Patton from Pyewackets Traditional brings lived experience in organic farming, wild fermentation, regenerative agriculture and community food systems. With a background in business and sustainable development, Katrina will share practical insight into turning farm-grown ingredients and traditional processes into a values-led product, brand and business.
Participant outcome
You will better understand whether your idea may need technical input and what you would need to prepare before approaching a food technologist, research partner or product development support service.
Can’t make it live?
Register anyway. This session will be recorded and shared with registered participants after the event.
Live attendance is encouraged, as there will be time for questions and discussion, but registering ensures you can still access the recording if you cannot attend on the day.
Description
Session 4: Producer Readiness, Compliance and Market Access
Thursday 23 July | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
What needs to be understood before taking it to market?
The fourth session in the Beyond the Farm Gate Lunch & Learn series will focus on the practical requirements that sit behind value-adding, diversification and market access.
Before investing in a new product, service or collaboration, producers often need to understand the systems, standards, risks and compliance requirements that may affect whether an idea can move forward.
This session will explore the real-world considerations that can shape producer readiness, including compliance, animal welfare, biosecurity, traceability, labelling, market specifications, approvals, weighing and specs, farm systems and supply chain expectations.
We will also explore how agricultural products can move into food as medicine opportunities, and what needs to be understood.
Guest contributors include Amanda Burchmann from JAB Agrisolutions and Kerry Rogers.
This session will be facilitated by Laticia Braving from Vitality Farms Northern Rivers.
Together, we will look at:
What needs to be in place before an idea can go to market - including requirements of natural
What compliance or approval issues may need to be considered
What systems buyers, processors or partners may expect
What risks could slow an idea down if they are not addressed early
How producers can reduce barriers before investing time and money
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Amanda Burchmann from JAB Agri Solutions brings practical, producer-first experience across livestock, compliance, agribusiness and supply chain systems. Amanda will help unpack what producers need to understand before going to market, including traceability, biosecurity, animal welfare, approvals, market specifications and reducing barriers before investing time and money.
Kerry Rogers brings more than 25 years’ experience in new product development across food and complementary medicines. As a food technologist, naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist and researcher, Kerry will help explore product readiness, food as medicine opportunities, compliance considerations and what needs to be understood before taking an idea to market.
Participant outcome
You will identify what practical requirements, risks or systems may need to be addressed before your idea can move forward.
Can’t make it live?
Register anyway. This session will be recorded and shared with registered participants after the event.
Live attendance is encouraged, as there will be time for questions and discussion, but registering ensures you can still access the recording if you cannot attend on the day.
Description
Session 5: Planning for Profit and Next Steps
Thursday 30 July | 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Is it viable, and what should happen next?
The final session in the Beyond the Farm Gate Lunch & Learn series will help participants bring the pieces together and decide whether an idea is ready to test, refine, pause, collaborate on or progress.
Across the series, participants will have explored opportunity, customers, technical feasibility, producer readiness and market access. This closing session will focus on viability — including costs, pricing, margins, cashflow, risk, business readiness and next steps.
This is not about forcing every idea forward. It is about helping producers make clearer, more informed decisions about what is worth pursuing, what needs more work, and what may not be viable right now.
Guest contributors include Emma Wallace, Rural Financial Counselling Service with case study to be announced soon!
This session will be facilitated by Laticia Braving from Vitality Farms Northern Rivers.
Together, we will look at:
What it may cost to test or develop the idea
What pricing or margin questions need to be considered
What risks need to be understood
Whether the idea is ready to test, refine, pause or progress
What the next best step could be
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Pam Brook brings deeply personal, real-world experience in knowing when an idea is ready to test, refine or grow. Drawing on her journey establishing Brookfarm, Cape Byron Distillery and Coolamon Baby, Pam will share practical reflections on viability, pricing, cash flow, risk, resilience and building something sustainable.
Participant outcome
You will leave with a clearer understanding of which pathway your idea may fit into:
Ready to test with customers
Needs technical advice
Needs compliance or business work first
Best suited to collaboration
Not viable right now
Can’t make it live?
Register anyway. This session will be recorded and shared with registered participants after the event.
Live attendance is encouraged, as there will be time for questions and discussion, but registering ensures you can still access the recording if you cannot attend on the day.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
