Urban Farm Incubators: Growing the Next Generation of Farmers and Local Food Economies

Australia’s food and farming system is facing major challenges, from an ageing farming workforce to rising land costs and increasing food insecurity. This webinar explores how Urban Farm Incubators (UFIs) can support new farmers through land access, training, and business mentoring

In this webinar, we will share the key findings and insights from an in-depth examination of urban farmer incubators, authored by Joel Orchard, Coordinator of Young Farmers Connect. This work was carried out as part of an action research project examining Farmer Incubators in Australia, funded by the Greater Melbourne Foundation (formerly the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation) and led by Sustain: the Australian Food Network, in collaboration with Yarra Valley ECOSS, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and Whittlesea Community Connections. 

We will hear from Joel about the key success factors for establishing farmer incubators together with the policy and investment recommendations required from government and philanthropy.

Speakers include:

• Joel Orchard - Young Farmers Connect

• Sarah Saxton - Mornington Peninsula Shire Council

• Alex Haynes - Whittlesea Community Connections

• Chelsea McNabb - Yarra Valley ECOSS