TEAM UPDATE

Welcome to winter – the season for hibernation is here but we are definitely not hibernating here at Sprout!

June is absolutely packed full for our team. In the calendar we’ve got three Sprout Producer Program events schedule along with our Low Stress Stock handling and Animal Nutrition Workshop jointly run with Tas Farmers in Riverside. We also have Cross Pollinate on the 22nd of June which is shaping up to be an eye opening exploration of small farms throughout a 12 month calendar year. With all of these events on we are bumper to bumper with tasks to bring it all together! 

We are sending lots of recuperating energy your way and we hope you find something of value in the June edition of The Dirt.

Warmly,
Calum Jacobsen
Administration and Communications Officer

CEO UPDATE

I think you can all guess what is top of mind for us at Sprout right now…yes, politics, State budgets and as we type this newsletter, the very recent vote of no confidence in our Premier. What uncertain times we find ourselves in. I am pleased about one thing, and that is that rain has reached many parts of the state since our last newsletter, and I sincerely hope you have received some relief on country.  Our thoughts are with our big island friends who are dealing with too much rain in certain parts!

The recent Tasmanian State Budget was handed down last week, and like many community-based organisations across the state including many we collaborate with, Sprout Tasmania was unsuccessful in securing the core operational funding we had applied for. Noted, it was necessary to pull in the strings on this year’s budget, however I will say that it seems to have been selective as to where and how those restraints have been made. While we continue to pursue alternative avenues to sustain and grow our work supporting small-scale farmers, this outcome highlights the ongoing challenge many not-for-profits face in securing stable, long-term support. At the same time, the State Government continues to seek our input through advisory groups and stakeholder engagement processes — work we value and are committed to — but which becomes increasingly difficult to sustain without reliable funding. In light of this, we want to let our members and supporters know that we will soon be making some shifts to explore new ways to generate the funds needed to continue our impact. Your support is more vital than ever.

Ways you can help? 

• Come alone to Cross Pollinate 2025 if you can. 
• Share our work, amplify our messages on social media or face to face. 
• Become a member, if you aren’t already. 
• Donate some funds, either once off, or choose a monthly amount.
• Help us connect with values aligned organisations or people you know who you think may be keen to support the work we do. 

Much of my work over the last month has been representing all of you in many different settings:

• Chatting with TasFarmers’ Drought Resilience Coordinator, Sophie Folder. 
• Opting in to an interview as part of a UNI QLD Research project looking into what policy and support Government does or could be providing to small scale farmers.
• Taking part in a large stakeholder meeting looking at values based institutional procurement and how turning these levers can really change our food system, especially when all scales of agriculture are able to play a part in the provision of local food. 
• Presenting to UTAS Diploma of Sustainable Living students to share what we do at Sprout and what role we see small scale farmers playing in the broader context of global food systems. 
• Meeting with Biosecurity Tasmania to discuss the development of draft regulations for implementing the new FSANZ Horticulture standards.
• Discussing meat processing with the Dept of NRE, including Biosecurity Tasmania, to see what needs to be worked on to improve the likelihood of accreditation success for any micro abattoir proposals. Included in this is working with STAMP closely. 
• Working more closely with the Tas Farm Innovation Hub and potentially exploring an MOU to ensure the voices and needs of small scale farmers are heard within this team as well. 
• Presented to the Hydro ‘Green Team’ – explaining what we do at Sprout and how important the small scale farming sector is to Tassie.

Upcoming work:

• Meeting with Minister Howlett – scheduled for 30th June. 
• Meetings with Federal Ag Minister’s advisor
• Presentation to Blundstone as our sponsor to share with the staff there about what their sponsorship is supporting and how they can further engage with the sector (October). 
• Service kill processing – final report launch (June) 
• Cross Pollinate 2025
• Finalising our first Community Action Plan

And finally, we are preparing for my extended annual leave…..yes, I am going away.  I have such confidence in the Board we have right now at Sprout, and our amazing team in Dom and Calum, that I am heading away, to go on a 3 month trip across our amazing country with my family, camping. I cannot wait to just reconnect with both my family and country, to really listen and observe.

This is a testament to how Sprout has evolved since 2011, to stand on its own two feet, with confidence and pride. 

Take care and as always, keep in touch. 

Jen  

IN Our Paddock

CROSS POLLINATE 2025

Farming Through the Seasons: A Year in the Life of Small-Scale Farms

Cross Pollinate isn’t just a conference — it’s a ritual. A time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the people growing food in Tasmania and the stories that shape our food system.

This year, we’re Farming Through the Seasons — walking through a whole year on a small farm, one month at a time. Each speaker brings a lived moment: the mayhem of goat kidding season, the joy and chaos of growing with kids in tow, the quiet work of rebuilding soil, the hard decisions that come with letting go and moving on.

It’s a space for honesty, for possibility, for asking the big questions. What does it really take to keep going? What are we holding onto that no longer serves us? How can we grow food — and community — that’s more resilient, more connected, and more human?

Whether you’ve just planted your first seed or you’ve been farming for a lifetime, Cross Pollinate is your place to recharge, reimagine, and grow alongside others who care deeply about this land and what it feeds

CROSS POLLINATE SPEAKERS

This year we have a sensational line up of speakers that will take us on a journey through the seasons of a small farm. Across 12 sessions these farmers, change makers and experts will delve into their lived experiences and share their insights to life on the land.

We will also be featuring two panel discussions facilitated by farming extraordinaire Felicity Richards who also happens to chair the Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisory Committee, Farmsafe Australia, and the Tasmanian Livestock Processing Taskforce.

Fraser Bayley

Fraser Bayley runs Old Mill Road on Walbunga and Brinja Yuin country, NSW — a small, community-connected mixed veggie farm that thrives on ecological principles. He’s all about flavour, resilience, and strong local collaboration.

At Cross Pollinate, Fraser is bringing decades of experience (and a healthy dose of humility) to the stage in an informal chat with fellow grower Stan Robert. Their session “If We Were Starting Again” will be like pulling up a stool in the packing shed — casual, candid and packed with hard-earned insights from two experienced market gardeners.

What would they do differently? What do they want the next generation of growers to know? Come along and find out.

Fraser will also join our Farming and Parenting panel, exploring the juggle of raising kids while growing food.

Emma Bowen

Emma Bowen is a permaculture designer, farmer, and community builder with a deep belief in the healing power of gardens. She was co-founder of Pocket City Farms — a thriving urban farm in inner-city Sydney that transformed a former bowling green into a place of food, education, and connection.

Now based in the Huon Valley with her family, Emma is breathing life back into a former apple orchard at Rising Farm, where she’s developing a permaculture-inspired hazelnut orchard. She also consults through Yarrow, designing gardens and supporting community projects. Emma will join the Letting Go to Grow panel to share her reflections on transition, transformation, and how land shapes us just as much as we shape it.

Hayden Findlay

Hayden Findlay runs Ravens Creek Farm outside of Geelong, Victoria. From humble beginnings on a beef property in 2009, Hayden has transformed his farm into a biodiversity-rich haven — trialling (and sometimes letting go of) multiple stacked enterprises along the way.

In his talk, Hayden reunites with his first farm employee, Ollie Benson, to revisit the highs and lows of diversification. Why did he walk it back? What lessons came with growth, and with letting go? He’ll also join the Letting Go To Grow panel, exploring when walking away is the wisest step forward.

Emma Horswill

Emma Horswill is a farmer-florist and co-owner of Earthenry Farm in Lower Snug. Across 9 acres of gardens and fields, Emma grows over 100 varieties of field flowers — offering pick-your-own experiences, workshops, and school programs. Her creativity spans from public art to science outreach, and she brings it all together on the farm.

Her session focuses on Garden + Gossip, a volunteer program that welcomes locals into the field for shared learning, laughter, and labour. Emma will share how this simple idea grew into a thriving community initiative, strengthening both the business and its people.

Kate Field

Kate Field is one half of Leap Farm and Tongola Cheese in Copping, Tasmania — where she and husband Iain raise Swiss Toggenburg goats, make award-winning cheese, and somehow also find time to run a skincare line and the Bream Creek Farmers Market. On top of that, Kate is an emergency specialist doctor and trainer.

At Cross Pollinate, Kate will share “The Mayhem of Goat Kidding Season” — an insider’s look at the messy, magical chaos of October on a goat dairy. From feeding newborn kids and checking early health to managing the wellbeing of mother goats, this session peels back the curtain on a critical moment in the seasonal rhythm of small-scale farming.

Cross Pollinate Panel Discussions

Letting Go To Grow

Small-scale farmers are often emotionally, physically, and financially invested in what they do. But sometimes, the best thing for the person (or even the farm) is to shift direction. This session creates space for honest, reflective, and possibly cathartic storytelling.

Our panellists will explore the courage and clarity it takes to step back, pivot, or walk away from aspects of farm life that no longer align with personal wellbeing, values, or vision. It’s about reclaiming agency, not as a failure, but as an act of self-respect and evolution, and will prompt the audience to reflect on what they’re holding onto that no longer serves them.

The Ultimate Juggle – Parenting & Farming

Small-scale farming is not just a job—it’s a lifestyle. For farming parents, the boundaries between work, family, and self are porous at best. There’s immense beauty in raising kids close to the land, but also real challenges in balancing childcare, farm schedules, income pressures, and personal well-being.

This panel will see honest conversations on parenting while growing food and running a farm. We dig into the complex, messy, joyful, and often exhausting reality of raising children while running a small-scale farm. It’s not just about logistics—it’s about identity, relationships, safety, creativity, burnout, and resilience. It aims to normalise the chaos, celebrate the wins (big and small), and share the load through collective wisdom.

Tickets

🍰 Tickets include morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea made with love and local produce by Jim and Marie Zerella from Gardeners Bay Farm.

🚪 Doors open at 8:30am for a 9:00am start

🍻 Wrap up with networking drinks between 5:30 – 6:30

📍Moonah Arts Center Hobart

📅 June 22, 2025

Animal Welfare Workshops – A Collaboration with Tas Farmers

FINAL TICKETS SELLING FAST
We are very pleased to be collaborating with Tas Farmers to present a series of workshops covering Animal Welfare later in the year. The workshops are structured with two back to back days on farm followed by an online session the following week. Expect to learn about: 

• Low-stress Stock Handling (Nic Kentish from LSS)
• In-depth Animal Nutrition
• Comprehensive Race Design
• How to Conduct Fit to Load Assessments

Stay across our socials for ticketing details and Southern date announcements. 

JUNE – Riverside Workshop – Tickets Available NOW!  June 11th, 12th and 19th.
OCTOBER – Derwent Valley workshop (Date TBC)

$165.00 per person (this is heavily subsidised by the Tasmanian State Government Grant, as usually the two days of LSS would be $880 per person)

ONLY A HANDFUL OF TICKETS LEFT

RIVERSIDE TICKETS
If you can’t make it to the Riverside event, remember we are hosting another identical workshop in Derwent Valley in October. 

Complete our EOI here, to be the first to hear about the dates once we have locked them in. 

FREE Animal nutrition online workshop

TasFarmers and Sprout Tasmania welcome you to attend a Livestock Nutrition Workshop!

Join us on June 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM for an exciting virtual workshop where we’ll dive deep into the world of livestock nutrition.

With dry seasonal conditions in Tasmania posing a challenge to animal health and wellbeing, ensuring they receive the correct nutrition and care is of utmost importance. Originally included as an added benefit in the low-stress stock-handling program, the webinar has been opened to all, free of charge, to ensure Tasmanian farmers are best equipped to manage seasonal challenges with confidence.

Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or just starting out, this webinar is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge in livestock feeding and nutrition.

The webinar will be presented by veterinarian and nutrition expert Dr Sarah White, and TasFarmers Drought Resilience Coordinator, Sophie Folder.

Be ready to ask questions and connect with like-minded individuals. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to grow your skills and network with others in the field. Mark your calendars and we’ll see you there!

This event has been kindly supported by the State Government’s Strategic Industry Partnership Program (NRE).

Nutrisoil x Sprout Collaboration Opportunity

Are you keen to be involved in testing the outcomes of using Nutrisoil biological solutions within your farming system?

Nutrisoil, as part of their collaboration and sponsorship of Sprout, are keen to connect with some small-scale farmers, and work with them to undertake some 2-3 year trials in both a grazing system, or vegetable growing system.

Things to consider are:

• Product will be supplied by Nutrisoil
• You would be responsible for observational data collection.
• The trials would need to be done over a period of a few years.
• Ideally, it would be great to keep some of your system under your usual regime (as a form of control) and then have a separate plot that would be your trial.

If you would like to express your interest in being involved or find out more – please email info@sprout.org.au with your farm location, farming system type and any thoughts you have.

Horticultural Standards Webinar #2

Sprout has been keeping in touch with Biosecurity Tasmania, and it seems that draft regulations are due to be released for review and consultation in early July.

Given the recent implementation of other state’s regulations, such as NSW and VIC, we felt it was important to get together, so here is our Webinar #2. 

Wednesday 18th June, online via Zoom

12.00pm – 1.00pm

We will discuss what the Tasmanian regulation should look like, and what support the small-scale producer sector will need in order to implement any new regulations.

If you are a grower of leafy veg, micro greens, berries and/or melons, then please make the time to come along to this online webinar. It is your opportunity to be heard, and for us to take forward a proposal to the Dept NRE Biosecurity Team to show how we think the standards should be implemented here.

If you can’t make it, please share your thoughts via our survey here.

Looking forward to seeing you on screen!

WELCOMING THE SPROUT PRODUCERS OF 2025

Over the next few additions of The Dirt  we will be introducing the producers undertaking the 2025 Sprout Producers Program. Read their brief or click through to read their full bio on our website. 

Hop Valley Herb Farm

Nestled under Kooparoona Niara in central lutruwita, Mon and Cara grow over 50 medicinal herbs using biodynamic, regenerative methods on their ¼-acre farm. With a focus on bioregional herbalism, they handcraft teas, tinctures, and salves on-site. Their vision is to nourish resilient communities through sustainable farming, herbal medicine making, and meaningful education rooted in land care and connection.

Tiny Farm Tas

Perched above the Huon River in Glaziers Bay, sits Tiny Farm Tas a seven acre farm being regenerated through compost, cover crops, and rotational grazing with heritage pigs. Alongside restoring the land, Dimity runs Tiny Farm Tas, supplying organic seedlings in biodegradable pots to the local community—combining her passion for propagation with a vision for ethical, regenerative farming.

La Luna Farm

On 10 acres in southern Lutruwita, La Luna is a no-till organic market garden growing nutrient-dense food for community and family. Farmer Harry, an ex-chef, runs the farm with partner Jess and their son Luca. Now in their second season, they’re restoring land, growing food with care, and building a simple life rooted in connection and regeneration.

Small Producer Survey 2025

We are gearing up for the next Small Producer Survey to be run later this year. Our Small Producer Survey aims to grab a broad snapshot of our sector to better inform our work and the areas of support need from the broader industry. It helps us map trends and identify new opportunities within our sector. 

We are currenlty in the preliminary stages of drafting the survey and would love any input from our community and industry partners. Have you got something you would love some data on? Maybe a great survey questions or area of interest you think should be looked into more closely. This is the time to share your ideas so that we can include them in our plans! 

Please head to the link below and leave as much or as little information as needed! If you’re interested in seeing our previous surveys go HERE

Your Community

agriCULTURED 2025

Launceston is set to host agriCULTURED 2025 from 31 July to 3 August, with a four-day celebration of food, farming, culture, and innovation that brings together producers, chefs, scientists, and storytellers.

This year’s program explores how we grow, eat, and connect through a series of unique experiences across northern Tasmania. Kicking off with The Community Feast, you’ll join OzHarvest and the Material Institute for a zero-waste cook-up that turns rescued and local produce into something delicious — and shared.

On Friday 1 August, the popular Conversations in the City returns to Peppers Silo Hotel, where ABC’s Simon Marnie leads panel discussions on climate, food systems, and the future of agriculture, with a lunch prepared by Grain of the Silos. That evening, you can head to The Science Behind Your Plate, a four-course dinner where researchers and chefs team up to tell the story behind every bite.

Saturday 2 August brings The Journey, a full-day agritourism experience through farms and vineyards, plus the launch of FermentHQ, and an evening of fire, fermentation and feasting at Timbre Kitchen.

Plus — catch a screening of Wilding, dive into creative workshops, and explore how art and agriculture intersect across the region.

agriCULTURED is a chance to connect with the people shaping Tasmania’s food future — and share a meal (or two) while you’re at it.

🎟️ Some events are free, others ticketed and likely to sell out fast.

Lifetime Ewe Management Course

Tas Women in Ag are seeking expressions of interest for the RIST Lifetime Ewe Management Course. The course is delivered in small groups around the state and focuses on:

• Condition Scoring 
• Preparing ewes for joining 
• Managing single and twin bearing ewes at different stages of reproductive cycles
• Assessing pasture and calculate supplemental feeding rates
• Setting up lambing paddocks 
• Weaning strategies for success
• Setting targets for condition score, conception, lamb survival, mortality rates, growth rates and feed on offer.

Over 5000 producer have completed this nationally offered course. On averaage producers are able to increase stocking rates by 9.3%, marking and weaning rates increase by 7% and mortality rates reduced by 25%

If you’re interested in finding out more about joining a course near you please reach out to Deb via chair@taswomeninag.org.au

NRE’s Farm Business Resilience Program

No one can predict the next big challenge — but you can prepare for it. The Tasmanian Farm Business Resilience Program helps producers across all sectors plan for the future with confidence.

Backed by the Future Drought Fund and the Tasmanian Government, the program offers highly subsidised support from local industry experts. It’s designed to help farmers identify risks, strengthen business systems, and respond quickly to changing conditions.

Whether you’re in dairy, livestock, cropping, viticulture, horticulture, fibre, aquaculture, or a mixed system, you’ll gain access to practical tools, personalised coaching, and peer support tailored to your enterprise.

Workshops and one-on-one sessions give you a clear view of where your business stands — and how to improve resilience, profitability, and productivity moving forward.

Find out how you can participate here!

Tasmanian Mushroom Festival 2025: A Month-Long Fungal Celebration

This June, Tasmania transforms into a haven for fungi enthusiasts with the Tasmanian Mushroom Festival—a month-long series of events celebrating the diverse world of mushrooms. From immersive dining experiences to educational workshops, the festival offers something for everyone.

Highlights include:

• Field Day at Spring Bay Mill (8 June): Engage in hands-on activities, attend talks by leading mycologists, and explore the role of fungi in our ecosystem.
• Guided Foraging Adventures: Discover local fungi species on guided walks through Tasmania’s diverse landscapes.
• Children’s Activities: Interactive sessions designed to spark curiosity and educate young minds about the fascinating world of mushrooms.

The festival fosters connections between local producers, researchers, and the community, emphasising sustainability and the culinary delights of mushrooms.

Partnerships to Protect Our Wetlands: Free Workshop

Tasmania’s wetlands are vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, filter water, and provide habitat for migratory birds. To promote their conservation, NRM South and Tasmanian Irrigation are hosting a free workshop titled “Partnerships to Protect Our Wetlands”.

📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, 4 June 2025, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

📍 Location: Devil’s Corner Cellar Door, Apslawn, TAS

This event is tailored for landowners, natural resource managers, and community members interested in wetland conservation. Attendees will hear from expert speakers on topics such as wetland ecology, sustainable land and water management, and available support for conservation projects. The workshop aims to equip participants with practical tools and knowledge to take meaningful action in protecting and enhancing Tasmania’s wetland ecosystems.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Spaces are limited, so early registration is recommended.

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.

The Dirt — Tasmanian Farming News June 2025

Welcome to the June 2025 edition of our monthly newsletter, The Dirt. Get the latest Tasmanian farming news from our community and beyond!