The Dirt — Tasmanian Farming News December 2025
Welcome to the December 2025 edition of our monthly newsletter, The Dirt. Get the latest Tasmanian farming news from our community and beyond!
Welcome to Summer 2025!
November has been a huge month here at Sprout! Over the past few weeks we’ve been getting stuck into the busy spring period:
- Dom curated and ran our first Weaving Good Fire workshop along side fire practitioner Jason Andrew Smith and vertical development practitioner Steve Willings. These workshops focused on helping connect landholders with Country and sharing traditional fire knowledge within our farming community.
- We completed assessments for all 2026 Sprout Producer Program applicants and hosted interviews for prospective participants — an inspiring reminder of the talent, innovation and courage in small-scale farming across Tasmania.
- The Southern sequel of our Low Stress Stock Handling workshops ran in Ellendale, delivered by Nic Kentish, co hosted with TasFarmers and packed with practical, confidence-building skill development.
- And to round out the month, we held our first Picnic in the Paddock — a relaxed and sunny producer catch-up full of good conversations, good food and good people.
It’s been a whirlwind, but a rewarding one — and we’re so grateful for everyone who shows up, participates, volunteers, supports others, and continues to build this remarkable community of growers and producers.
IN Our Paddock
🌱 A rare chance to learn from JM Fortier — and directly support Sprout
Tasmania is lucky to have an incredible culture of knowledge-sharing among growers, and we don’t take that for granted. We know many of us are used to learning from each other, rather than looking outward — it’s something we’re proud of as a community.
But every now and then an opportunity comes along that genuinely adds something new.
On Tuesday 9 December, JM Fortier — internationally recognised market gardener, educator and author of The Market Gardener — will be at Longley Organic Farm for one day only. It’s going to be a full day of practical learning, real conversation and skill-building designed for people who are already doing the work.
Most importantly:
100% of proceeds from this event go directly to supporting Sprout Tasmania and our work standing beside small producers.
No external cut. No speaking-fee overhead. Every ticket sold strengthens the way Sprout shows up for farmers across the state — mentoring, advocating, and backing producers when they need it most.
Capacity at Longley is intentionally small, which means spaces are limited and we do expect to sell out — so if you’re planning to come, please book sooner rather than later.
We would love to see you there — learning together, connecting as a community, and supporting a stronger future for small-scale farming in Tasmania.
📅 Tuesday 9th December 2025
📍 Longley Organic Farm, 1690 Huon Rd Longley
🎟 Tickets on sale now!
🛻 Camping available 8–10 December
Click below for more event information or visit the events/workshops section of our website.
Tasmania to Host National Food Policy Forum
We are once again teaming up with TasFarmers to host a practical, on-farm learning Tasmania will host the National Food Policy Forum in Launceston on Tuesday 9 December (10:00 AM–3:30 PM) — a landmark national gathering focused on food security, local production, community resilience and shaping Australia’s food future.
With the federal government currently developing the national food security plan (Feeding Australia), this Forum is a rare moment for producers, grassroots organisations and regional voices to be heard by the people shaping policy.
Sprout Tasmania will be there contributing to the conversation — advocating for small producers, regional food systems and community-centred solutions that support the people who feed their communities. We’re committed to making sure that the practical realities and lived experiences of growers are represented, not overshadowed by large-scale policy language.
For producers and advocates, this is a chance to:
- contribute lived experience directly to national policy,
- highlight the importance of localised producer-led food systems,
- connect with others working toward fair, resilient and regionally driven food futures.
👉 If you care about the direction of food and farming in Tasmania, this is the room to be in.
Come along, add your voice, and help shape the future of food in Tasmania and beyond.
Event link: https://events.humanitix.com/national-food-policy-forum
🌱 Update on horticulture food safety regulations
After months of concern across the leafy greens, berries and melons sector, the Department of NRE has now updated its consultation materials and acknowledged that a fair regulatory model must be tiered — scaling requirements to the level of risk and the volume of production. This shift moves away from a blanket, one-size-fits-all approach that would have placed disproportionate burden on small producers.
This is a significant step forward for the sector and a direct reflection of the collective voices of growers who spoke up — in webinars, surveys, conversations and community submissions.
Sprout has advocated strongly throughout this process for scale-appropriate regulation, practical implementation pathways, and ongoing education and support, rather than administrative load for its own sake. The Department’s new consultation page now includes reference to small producers and requests feedback on how a tiered structure should work in practice.
🟢 For anyone producing leafy greens, berries or melons, we encourage you to review the updated information and provide feedback via the link below:
https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/product-integrity/development-of-the-primary-produce-safety-(horticulture-produce)-regulations/primary-produce-safety-(horticulture-produce)-regulations-supporting-information
Sprout will continue engaging in this process so that the voices and lived realities of small and diverse producers are represented in policy — and so that food safety outcomes are achieved without compromising viability, diversity or local food security.
🌱 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
🌾 Equipment donation available for Sprout members — first in, first served
Sprout members have the opportunity to receive a generous donation of equipment from David and Lyndy Pinner, who are keen to ensure these items continue to support local growers.
Available for donation:
- EarthWay Precision Garden Seeder (includes 6 seed-size discs + instructions)
- ≈ 50 tree guards
- ≈ 500 x 100 mm pots
- ≈ 50 seedling trays
All equipment has been used on a certified organic farm and has not been exposed to chemicals.
📍 Pick-up only — Cressy
If you’re a Sprout member and can put this equipment to good use, please make direct contact:
📞 David & Lyndy Pinner
A big thank you to David and Lyndy for supporting fellow growers and helping resources continue to circulate within the community.
🥩 Have your say on the future of meat processing in Southern Tasmania
Access to reliable, humane and affordable slaughter and processing remains one of the biggest challenges facing livestock producers in Tasmania — something our recent Service Kill Industry Report highlighted clearly. Long transport distances, limited booking windows and rising on-farm costs continue to affect business viability and regional food security.
To address this, STAMP (Southern Tasmanian Association of Meat Producers) is leading work to design a producer-driven micro-abattoir solution, and they need input from producers to ensure it reflects real needs on the ground.
STAMP’s survey is asking Southern Tasmanian producers of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs about:
- preferred slaughter and processing models (mobile vs fixed),
- current annual throughput,
- flexibility around kill dates and processing needs,
- value-adding opportunities (packaging, cryovac, labelling, small-batch products),
- and what producers are realistically willing and able to contribute to make a solution viable.
This information will directly shape the business model, location and service offering — so the outcome isn’t something done to producers, but built with producers byproducers.
👉 If you are a livestock producer in Southern Tasmania, please complete the survey before Thursday 12 December.
The more data collected, the clearer the path forward for a processing option that genuinely serves producers.
Survey link: https://forms.gle/uT2EVESWym4HWcC87
Sprout strongly supports efforts that empower regional meat producers and strengthen local food systems, and we’ll continue to stay engaged in this important conversation.
Calling Coal Valley Smallholders – Apply now for NRM South’s 2026 PMP workshops
Imagine a thriving property that works for you, not against you! If you’re a smallholder in the Coal Valley or surrounding Tasman and Sorell regions looking to make the most of your land, applications are now open for NRM South’s Property Management Planning workshops. Learn from local experts, connect with fellow landholders and build a practical plan for success.
Running between late January and early May 2026, this six-part weekend workshop series will guide you through how to develop a customised Property Management Plan — a roadmap for managing your land’s natural assets, improving productivity, and protecting environmental values.
Tailored specifically for small properties (typically 5–100 hectares), each workshop combines expert advice with on-ground learning, covering topics such as soil health, grazing and pasture management, water and weed management, revegetation, and native vegetation care. You will also receive personalised property maps, fact sheets and resources, and have the chance to connect with other landholders and technical experts.
Key details:
- Applications open: October 30, 2025
- Applications close: 5pm, December 8, 2025
- Successful applicants notified: by December 10, 2025
- Participant contribution: $350 per property (max two individuals)
- Contact: Tim Ackroyd – tackroyd@nrmsouth.org.au
Click here for the program guidelines and details on how to apply: https://nrmsouth.org.au/calling-coal-valley-smallholders-apply-now-for-our-2026-pmp-workshops/
🐑 National survey on abattoir access — small & regenerative producers encouraged to participate
Processing access continues to be one of the biggest limiting factors for small-to-medium and regenerative livestock producers across Australia. To better understand the barriers and build evidence for long-term solutions, the Macdoch Foundation has engaged Nous Group to run a national survey capturing producer experiences.
This is an important opportunity to ensure the realities of small and regionally based producers are represented in national data — not overlooked or generalised.
The survey asks about:
- accessing slaughter and processing services,
- freight and logistics impacts,
- business viability pressures caused by limited processing capacity,
- and the flow-on effects to regional communities and local food systems.
👉 The survey has been extended to 7 December!
🎯 If you are a livestock producer — or you work closely with them — please complete the survey and share it across your networks. The more voices represented, the stronger the case for meaningful change.
🔗 Survey link: https://nousgroupau.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dpxYmYgiBWXu92C
🌿 Webinar: Understanding Emissions Reporting, Carbon & Biodiversity Opportunities
Mandatory greenhouse gas reporting for larger businesses begins in 2025, and expectations across the agricultural sector are shifting quickly. If you’re unsure what this means for farming businesses—or whether there are opportunities as well as obligations—this session is for you.
Following strong interest at the Hamilton Resource Centre workshop earlier this year, we’re hosting this webinar online to ensure more producers can access the information.
This practical session will cover:
- What emissions reporting is and what it means for farm businesses
- Realistic carbon farming options, with insights from a Derwent Valley farmer already participating
- An introduction to the emerging biodiversity market and what farmers need to know
- How to prepare now to build confidence, protect your business and respond to new opportunities
This webinar is supported by the Carbon Farming Outreach Program — an Australian Government initiative helping farmers measure, manage and benefit from carbon and biodiversity opportunities on their land.
🎟 Free to attend — register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1368142544179?aff=oddtdtcreator
🦌 Have your say — future of wild fallow deer management in Tasmania
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) is now seeking community input on the implementation of the Tasmanian Wild Fallow Deer Management Plan 2022–2027.
A Discussion Paper outlining proposed management options for deer across Tasmania is now available, and NRE Tas is inviting feedback from landholders, producers and the wider community to help shape the future direction of deer management.
Producers who currently experience impacts from deer, manage land for biodiversity, engage in hunting, or are affected economically or environmentally by deer populations may be particularly well placed to contribute to this consultation process.
📌 Consultation focus:
- statewide deer population management
- regional approaches and land management priorities
- balancing agricultural, conservation, cultural and recreational values
🗳 Feedback can be provided via the online survey:
Have your say on the Deer Management Policy Review – Fill out form
🔗 Information page + Discussion Paper:
https://nre.tas.gov.au/deer-changes
📅 Consultation closes 5 January 2026
For further details, contact Game Services Tasmania:
📧 GameServicesTas@nre.tas.gov.au
📞 1300 292 292
Potatoes Tasmania — CEO / Business Development Lead position now open
Potatoes Tasmania is recruiting for an inaugural CEO / Business Development Lead — a key leadership role supporting the continued growth and development of Tasmania’s potato industry.
This position would suit someone with:
- experience in agriculture or agribusiness,
- strong strategic and communication skills,
- a collaborative leadership style, and
- proven experience in project management, funding or research partnerships (advantageous but not essential).
📍 Location: Tasmania
🌱 Sector: Agribusiness / Not-for-Profit / Industry Development
⏱ Work type: Flexible with negotiated part-time hours
🗓 Applications close: 5 December 2025
Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV and cover letter outlining relevant experience and motivation for the role to:
📧 RBT.HR@ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au
This notice is shared to support sector visibility and encourage strong leadership opportunities within Tasmania’s agricultural community.
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.