NSW Farm Business Resilience Program alumni reunite to celebrate four years of impact
4 Jun 2025
The NSW Farm Business Resilience Program (FBRP) marked a significant milestone last week, welcoming 116 alumni and guests to the 2025 Coaching Alumni Gathering, 29-30 May.
Held on Wiradjuri country at Dubbo, the event brought together primary producers from across the state, including 15 dedicated business coaches and alumni from the program’s inaugural 2021 pilot cohort through to those completing their business coaching this year.
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) Director Education, Darren Bayley said the gathering was a testament to the enduring value of the program and the strong connections it has fostered.
“This event is a celebration of the resilience, innovation, and collaboration that our alumni have demonstrated over the past four years,” Mr Bayley said.
“The fact that so many producers remain actively engaged with the program years after completing their coaching speaks volumes about the impact it’s had on their businesses and their lives.”
Since its inception in 2021, the program has supported thousands of farmers to strengthen their business management skills, navigate risk, and plan for the future.
Program outcomes have been strong, with:
- 95% of participants reported gaining new skills and knowledge to support risk management and strategic planning.
- 68% of businesses improved their drought risk management practices.
- 97% of participants have made or plan to make changes to their strategic decision-making.
Mr Bayley said more than 400 farm businesses have completed FBRP’s core coaching programs, supported by over 40 experienced coaches.
“In addition to one-on-one and group coaching, the program has delivered over 100 workshops on topics ranging from financial management and WHS to succession planning and personal wellbeing, benefiting thousands of farm businesses,” Mr Bayley said.
“Our coaching programs help producers shift their mindset to work on their business, not just in it.
“This approach builds the economic, environmental, and social resilience needed to thrive in a changing climate.”
The event also highlighted the value of peer networks, with many alumni maintaining strong ties with their coaches and fellow cohort peers.
FBRP Alumni George Hamilton, Meroo NSW - Sheep farming said It was a great few days and it was great to meet new like-minded farmers with similar interests.
“The presentations were topical and really resonated with the audience.’ Geroge Hamilton, Meroo NSW- Sheep farming,” Mr Hamilton said
Another FBRP alumni Laiton Turnham, Guyra NSW – Beef farmer, said we learned so much from our coach in that 6 months, understanding what’s happening financially, and knowing how to manage when the budget is short.
“We can now plan for that rather than reacting. We now spend more time in the office planning and as a result we make far less mistakes,” Mr Turnham said.
“We heard about the event and thought there are so many people like us, either going through tough times or planning for the future and we can relate. Farming can be lonely and it’s hard to find the time to get off farm and connect. We want to keep learning and DPIRD think enough of us to invest in this event, so we wanted to make the time to come.”
The Farm Business Resilience Program is funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the Farm Business Resilience Program is a joint initiative between the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Federal Government.
More information
Media contact: pi.media@dpird.nsw.gov.au
