Farm Smart - Oyster Focus - Merimbula

Farm Smart - Oyster Focus Program

Practical tools, stronger plans, and a clearer path to your Commercial Farm Development Plan.

A hands-on workshop series built specifically for NSW oyster growers. No generic farming content - every session is shaped around the realities of the oyster industry, from environmental risk to regulatory requirements to what it takes to run a commercially viable lease.

Farm Smart is the first workshop in a 4-part series rolling out across 2026–27. By the end of the series, you'll have a Commercial Farm Development Plan that's practical, compliant and built around your business.

What you'll walk away with from Farm Smart

• A farm business plan you've started (or sharpened) on the day

• A clear picture of your business and environmental risk profile

• Your completed Farm Business Checklist

• Practical actions to manage risk before, during and after tough conditions

• A stronger financial position and improved bank readiness

Using structured planning tools, we'll work through where your business sits today and map out the next steps - the foundations you'll build on across the rest of the series.

What comes next in the Oyster Focus series (2026–27)

Three more workshops building progressively on Farm Smart, each designed to grow your planning capability and work you through to a completed Commercial Farm Development Plan - practical, compliant, and built for the long term.

Workshop locations

Merimbula, Narooma, Port Stephens and Port Macquarie.

Who it's for

NSW oyster growers who want to strengthen their business, plan with confidence and set their lease up for the long haul.

Delivered in partnership with

DPIRD Aquaculture, OceanWatch Australia and the Rural Financial Counselling Service.

Heads up

Places are limited at each location to keep groups small and give you real, hands-on time. Registrations are essential.

About the program

The Oyster Focus Program is delivered by NSW Farmers as part of the Farm Business Resilience Program.

The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded by the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the NSW Government.