{"id":309807,"date":"2021-11-22T13:04:33","date_gmt":"2021-11-22T03:04:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=309807"},"modified":"2021-11-26T19:43:33","modified_gmt":"2021-11-26T09:43:33","slug":"grants-to-boost-agritourism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/11\/22\/grants-to-boost-agritourism\/","title":{"rendered":"Grants To Boost Agritourism"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Agriculture Minister Mark Furner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

November 22, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grants are now available to help farmers establish or expand their operations into agritourism.<\/p>\n

The Queensland Farmers\u2019 Federation (QFF) has partnered with the State Government to deliver the Queensland Agritourism Grants program, offering a 50 per cent co-contribution up to a maximum of $25,000 to match farmers\u2019 funds.<\/p>\n

QFF CEO Dr Georgina Davis said Queenslanders were increasingly looking to explore their own backyard through unique, authentic experiences that immerse them in rural and regional communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cLimited only by imagination, agritourism includes overnight accommodations and farmstays, direct sales of fresh or value-added products, recreational and educational experiences, demonstrations and displays, farm tours and hands-on experiences including participating in agri-processing activities such as cheese making,\u201d Dr Davis said.<\/p>\n

\u201cProviding opportunities for farmers to grow their businesses, agritourism creates new and alternative markets for produce, and an opportunity to gather valuable feedback from consumers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, there are relevant considerations including safety, animal welfare and biosecurity, land-use planning and other regulatory requirements, business structures, succession plans and tax implications.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese grants will assist farmers to establish or expand into agritourism by employing professional or specialist services or constructing or modifying on-farm infrastructure in line with these important factors, allowing them to play a positive role in growing sustainable tourism.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said agritourism was an important growth industry for Queensland\u2019s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be especially important in regional and rural areas over the next decade with an estimated value of $4.5 billion by 2030,\u201d Mr Furner said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is so much untapped potential, with many farming enterprises already looking to diversify their operations and supplement their income through farm gate sales, pick-your-own fruit and veggies visits, interacting with farm animals, farm-to-table dining, farmers markets, on-farm cooking classes and farm tours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Applications for grant funding close January 10.<\/p>\n