The Dirt — Tasmanian Farming News April 2026
Welcome to the April 2026 edition of our monthly newsletter, The Dirt. Get the latest Tasmanian farming news from our community and beyond!
As autumn settles in across Tasmania, it’s been a month of both reflection and momentum at Sprout. We’re marking an important transition in our board leadership while continuing to push forward on the issues that matter — from food safety regulations and fuel security, through to new opportunities, events and connections across the farming community. There’s a lot happening both within Sprout and across the sector, and this edition of The Dirt brings together a snapshot of that work, along with ways to get involved.
Warmly,
The Sprout Tasmania team
IN Our Paddock
Sprout seeking new Board Chair
Following the transition in board leadership, Sprout Tasmania is now seeking a new Board Chair to help guide the organisation into its next chapter.
This is a voluntary leadership role focused on providing strategic direction, supporting governance, and working closely with the CEO to ensure Sprout continues to grow its impact across Tasmania’s small-scale farming sector.
We’re looking for someone with strong governance experience, strategic thinking, and a genuine connection to Tasmania’s farming and regional communities.
If you’re interested in helping shape the future of Sprout and supporting the development of a resilient local food system, we encourage you to learn more and apply.
🌱 Growing Good 2026
Planning is well underway for Growing Good 2026, Sprout Tasmania’s annual fundraising dinner, returning to Hobart on Saturday 30 May.
We’ve been busy behind the scenes pulling the event together — and we’re very close to announcing this year’s keynote speaker, along with the chefs and producers who will be part of the evening. We’re genuinely excited about what’s coming together — watch this space.
Growing Good brings together farmers, industry and community for an evening centred on Tasmania’s food system — backing the future of small-scale farming through connection, conversation and support.
We’ll be sharing more details, including the full program and ticket release, very soon.
2026 Sprout Producer Program Launch!
The 2026 Sprout Producer Program launched at the end of March and got off to a cracker start. We established our connections base at the beautiful Cooinda Coastal Retreat, Roaches Beach, another stunning space shared by Girl Guides Tasmania. Bringing a new cohort together for the first time is always a little nerve-racking for everyone involved. Having a peaceful setting with the waves lapping in the background definitely helps to regulate the nervous system.
On the program this year we have eight farms from across Lutruwita joining us on the journey of peer-to-peer learning and network development. We have market gardens, regenerative lavender, kitchen gardens, mixed enterprises including poultry/sheep and honey berries/sheep. We had a remarkable number of ornamental flower growers apply for the program, so this year we also have opened up the scope of the program to include this flourishing sector. Although not conventional food produce, Dom considers flowers to be food for the soul and a lot of our producers grow flowers alongside their food producing crops to attract beneficial insects. We have also had medicinal and edible flower growers join us in previous years, so from a growing perspective we have a nice knowledge network at hand. As always, this year will be a learning and development year for Sprout as well as we trial the fit of ornamental flowers in the program.
Our Connections launch days are all about getting our farmers off their farms and into space together so we can get to know each other and become more familiar with the program. At the start of the program, the participants are complete strangers who over the next six months will be spending a fair amount of time together. Acknowledging we all come from different walks of life and lived experiences, we intentionally spend time working to establish a group culture where we can learn together, respectfully sharing and receiving knowledge, and consentfully offering and/or receiving peer support.
While our mornings were focused on group connections, we also made sure our new cohort got to experience the joys of connecting with the broader Sprout community. We whetted their appetite for farm tours with a visit to the wonderful Old Beach Berries, thank you Cathryn and David for providing the perfect introduction to our “warts and all” farm visits. We got to spend some time with Ash and Shanelle from RAW – Rural Alive and Well, and chat over the beautiful baked delights provided by new caterers, Song Cottage Table. The cherry on top, and final excursion, was to spend time with our magnificent co-founder and compost enthusiast, Tony Scherer and the inspirational growing community including Constance Farm and Felds Farms which includes Sprout board member Lauren. Tony, Lauren, Michael, Tyler and Andrew, we greatly appreciate the time and energy you gave and for the knowledge shared. Also, thank you to Athena from Goulds/Sparrow Foot Farm, and Austen from Lightwood Larder for coming along to meet the crew and help the days run smoothly. What a brilliant community of generous humans we have in our midst. The newly initiated 2026 Sprout Producer Cohort left their connections days with their brains full, smiles on their faces and looking forward to the next instalment.
Small Scale Producer Survey 3.0 launching
Sprout’s Small Scale Producer Survey is returning, with the next round going live on Monday 13 April.
This survey is a key tool in helping us understand the realities of small-scale farming in Tasmania — from production and markets through to the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.
The insights gathered directly inform Sprout’s advocacy, projects and conversations with government and industry, ensuring the voices of producers are represented with real data.
Keep an eye out for the survey launch and take part when it goes live.
Online Sprout Members Catch Up – Fuel Security
Sprout has been invited to participate in ongoing discussions with the Fuel Security Team at Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania (ReCFIT), contributing as a stakeholder representing Tasmania’s small-scale farming sector.
These conversations are focused on the real-time pressures facing farmers, including rising costs and the broader impacts on Tasmania’s food system.
As this situation continues to evolve, we want to hear directly from our members — what you’re experiencing on the ground, and what risks or challenges you’re seeing emerge.
We’re hosting an online member catch-up on Thursday 16th at 7pm via Zoom — an opportunity to share your experience, raise concerns, and connect with other producers.
Join here:
No RSVP required — just jump in.
🌾 GROUNDED: a festival for better farming
GROUNDED is a roaming Australian festival that brings together farmers, growers, chefs and thinkers exploring the future of food and farming.
Held on working farms in different locations each year, the event focuses on regenerative agriculture, ecological land management and building resilient food systems. The 2026 festival will take place at Yan Yan Gurt West Farm in Victoria, with talks, farm tours and conversations connecting people working across agriculture, food and environmental stewardship.
Sprout Tasmania will be attending, and helping out as a Tent Host for one of the main marquees at the event, so if you are coming along, please come and say hi to Jen between talks.
Tickets are still available for those interested in attending.
🌱 Why your Sprout membership matters — and why now is the moment to join
For 14 years, Sprout has stood beside small producers — listening, learning, advocating and showing up where it counts. What began as an idea has grown into a statewide voice that is now recognised across industry and government as the home of small-scale producers in Tasmania. When legislation changes, when policy is drafted, when decisions affecting growers are being made — Sprout is in the room, representing you.
We’ve reached this point because producers have trusted us, shared their experiences, and backed the work we do. And now we’re taking the next step — a truly member-led model where producers and supporters help shape Sprout’s direction and impact.
To do that sustainably, we’ve introduced a new pay-what-you-can monthly membership.
No more set annual fee — just a contribution that reflects what you can manage, month by month, while still strengthening Sprout’s ability to:
- advocate for scale-appropriate regulation and fair market access,
- deliver training, workshops and practical resources,
- build community and connection across farms and regions, and
- elevate the visibility and value of small producers across Tasmania.
Because when small producers thrive, so do communities, local food systems and our shared environment.
Whether you’re a grower, an ally of growers, someone who eats local food, a hospitality powerhouse, or simply someone who wants to see Tasmanian producers flourish — your membership makes a tangible difference.
👉 Active annual memberships will expire at the end of their term — but you don’t need to wait. You can switch to the new monthly system today and help secure Sprout’s future now.
We’d love to have you with us for the next chapter.
Your Community
🧑🌾 Young person seeking farm work opportunity
We’ve been asked to share an opportunity from a young person in the community looking to get started in agriculture. They are based in Ranelagh and would be looking for opportunities within that area of the Huon Valley outside of school hours.
Cally (15 years old) is keen to gain experience working on a farm, with a particular interest in cattle (beef or dairy). They have several years of experience working with horses, is confident around livestock, and is eager to learn.
Cally is ideally looking for work that involves livestock and/or horses, and is passionate about building a future in farming.
If you or someone you know may be able to offer an opportunity, please get in touch!
🌱 Polytunnel growing opportunity – Allens Rivulet
A Sprout member is seeking expressions of interest from growers interested in leasing established infrastructure at a property in Allens Rivulet (formerly Broome and Brine farm).
The site features 14 polytunnels, organic soil, automated irrigation (bore water), and fencing in place — offering a ready-to-go setup for market gardening or small-scale production.
The current owners are looking for someone to lease 6–10 tunnels, with potential for a longer-term arrangement if it’s a good fit. The aim is to see this high-quality growing infrastructure actively used by a local producer.
If you or someone in your network may be interested, please contact Michael:
♻️ Have your say on farm waste management
NRM South, in partnership with TasWaste South, is seeking input from primary producers across southern Tasmania on waste management.
The project aims to better understand current waste streams, challenges and opportunities across agriculture, aquaculture and forestry, with the goal of improving recycling, recovery options and supporting infrastructure for producers.
Your feedback will help shape practical solutions and future programs.
The survey is open until 17 April and only takes a few minutes to complete.
🌿 Farm role – Goulds Natural Medicine
Goulds Natural Medicine is seeking a full-time team member to join their organic herb farm in Allens Rivulet.
This is an opportunity to work within a farm focused on growing medicinal herbs, suited to someone with an interest in farming and aligned, hands-on work.
If you or someone in your network may be interested, reach out to directly for more information.
Email: bronzewingfarm@gmail.com
Aboriginal Heritage Bill 2026 – public consultation open
Public consultation is now open for the Aboriginal Heritage Bill 2026, which proposes to replace the existing 1975 legislation and update how Aboriginal cultural heritage is recognised, protected and managed in Tasmania.
The draft Bill includes provisions to recognise Aboriginal heritage as a living and enduring culture, acknowledge Tasmanian Aboriginal people as custodians, and establish new governance and management frameworks for heritage protection.
Consultation is open until 6 July 2026, with opportunities for individuals and organisations to review the draft and provide feedback.
🧺 Crabtree Crop & Crafts Market – call for stallholders
Local growers and makers are invited to be part of the Crabtree Crop & Crafts Market on 19 April, with a relaxed, harvest-style community event planned in the Mountain River / Crabtree area.
Producers of all sizes are welcome — from larger growers selling from vans or stalls, through to backyard growers with smaller quantities. Stall spaces are free, with flexible options depending on what you’d like to bring along.
The market runs from 10am–4pm at the Valley Campground, offering a friendly and informal space to connect with the local community and showcase produce.
A great opportunity to sell locally, meet other growers and be part of a grassroots community event.
That’s it for our Tasmanian Farming News this month. As ever, do get in touch if you have any questions or issues. We’re always here to help.
Thanks as always,
The Sprout Team.