Young Farmers Connect (YFC) is a national not for profit organisation committed to cultivating networks, resources and community for young farmers state and nation wide. YFC is a community that provides a national framework for peer support and a network that facilitates opportunities, land sharing, collaboration, education, mentorship and industry support throughout Australia.

The Sunraysia Local Food Movement are excited to be bringing YFC to Mildura to explore the needs of young farmers in our region and find out what we can do as a community to better support young and emerging farmers. Come along to hear more from our special guest Chez Orchard, YFC volunteer from the Albury region. This event is an opportunity to meet other new, young and aspiring farmers in our region- or come along to show them your support! Drinks and nibbles provided.

Chez spent 10 years in marketing and recruitment in the university sector before escaping the corporate world to find herself surrounded by rows of organic veggies in the Northern Rivers of NSW. What was meant to be a short career break became a healing journey and her passion for food transformed into a passion for the whole food system.

She is a advocate for local food economies, community sufficiency & food justice. With interests in organic and regenerative farming she draws inspiration from the ways in which regenerative communities can provide solutions to the challenges posed by the climate crisis and the disconnection so often felt in our modern world.
Chez co-founded a micro mushroom farm Swap&Grow Mushrooms and coordinated the sales & ecommerce support team for the Open Food Network in Australia. Most recently she has been supporting the growth of the Acres & Acres Coop, a member owned and operated project in the North East of Victoria working to build food resilience in the aftermath of the 2019/2020 bushfires. She volunteers for Young Farmers Connect to learn and grow alongside others interested in a brighter food future.

The Sunraysia Local Food Movement is supported by the Victorian Government.