The state government seems to be enhancing its focus on business in regional areas of the state with the launch of a rural business mentoring program and plans this week for a visit to the north of the state exploring opportunities and obstacles for busin
The state government seems to be enhancing its focus on business in regional areas of the state with the launch of a rural business mentoring program and plans this week for a visit to the north of the state exploring opportunities and obstacles for business.
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman last night launched The Grow Zone Mentoring Project, a three-month business mentoring program aimed at helping young businessmen and women reach their full potential.
The project, which will be co-ordinated by the Rural Business Development Corporation, matches five high achievers in the rural sector aiming to broaden their skills with five business leaders.
Grow Zone 2009 mentors include Wine and Truffle Company chief executive, Alan Nelson; Insight Marketing and Management director, Ray Wilson; Seaspin managing director, Charles Morgan; Committee for Perth chief executive, Marion Fulker and Murdoch University project director executive education, Richard Duldig.
The mentees include Joondalup entrepreneur Henk de Graaf; Ballard Seeds managing director, Leigh Ballard; Cunderdin farmer David Fulwood; Narrogin farmer Ashley Wiese and Jerramungup stud sheep breeder Sandy Forbes.
This week will also see Mr Redman head to the north of the state on an exploratory tour of the region including a visit to Bidgemia Station in the Upper Gascoyne to discuss opportunities for the northern beef industry as well as heading to Liveringa Station in the West Kimberley.
He will also meet with landholders in Broome to discuss the region's challenges and opportunities which will include a briefing by department officers on the outcomes of a recent US conference looking at Native American involvement in agriculture and any possible synergies with Western Australia.
Full announcements below:
Government explores business opportunities in State's north
Portfolio: Agriculture and Food
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman is this week heading to the State's north this week to meet pastoralists, horticulturalists and other rural business operators in the region.
Mr Redman will tour Bidgemia Station in the Upper Gascoyne to discuss opportunities for the northern beef industry; visit Liveringa Station in the West Kimberley; and meet with landholders in Broome to discuss the region's challenges and opportunities.
The Minister said the Department of Agriculture and Food had worked closely with a range of business and community members to identify key issues and future development potential.
"This has provided a good foundation to explore the potential for sustainable agricultural development in the West Kimberley," he said.
"We are already seeing the northern export cattle industry become highly sophisticated and this is being complemented by an emerging horticulture and irrigation industry in the Kimberley."
Mr Redman will also be briefed by department officers in Broome on the outcomes of a recent US conference looking at Native American involvement in agriculture and any possible synergies with Western Australia.
"Northern WA and the US State of Arizona share some unique similarities in indigenous agriculture production," he said.
"I am keen to find out more about their successful pastoral activities and agricultural diversification projects undertaken by Native American tribes in the US and whether there are some elements that can be considered here."
While in Broome, the Minister will also examine the department's Kimberley Indigenous Management Support Service (KIMSS).
"KIMSS is designed to develop the capacity and independence of indigenous pastoralists through mentoring, training and management support," Mr Redman said.
"The project works closely with indigenous pastoralists to help improve the economic, environmental and sustainable management of pastoral leases."
New mentoring program to grow rural skills
Portfolio: Agriculture and Food
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman last night launched a new rural business mentoring program aimed at helping young businessmen and women reach their full potential.
The Grow Zone Mentoring Project, co-ordinated by the Rural Business Development Corporation, matches five high achievers in the rural sector aiming to broaden their skills with five business leaders.
Mr Redman said the three-month program offered a unique opportunity for the participants to build their expertise and knowledge with mentoring support from highly experienced business professionals.
"The Grow Zone Mentoring Project targets motivated and high achieving individuals in the rural sector and allows them to gain invaluable insights and guidance from successful leaders and entrepreneurs from the wider business community," he said.
"It will encourage business innovation, creativity and excellence, for the ultimate benefit of Western Australian agriculture and food industries.
"This process will also help develop closer and mutually beneficial ties between metropolitan and rural businesses."
The Minister said each participant would work on individual projects in their area of interest with the support of their mentor over the next three months. The program was expected to expand in coming years.
Grow Zone 2009 mentors include Wine and Truffle Company chief executive officer Alan Nelson; Insight Marketing and Management director Ray Wilson; Seaspin managing director Charles Morgan; Committee for Perth chief executive officer Marion Fulker and Richard Duldig, project director, executive education, Murdoch University.
The mentees include Joondalup entrepreneur Henk de Graaf; Ballard Seeds managing director Leigh Ballard; Cunderdin farmer David Fulwood; Narrogin farmer Ashley Wiese and Jerramungup stud sheep breeder Sandy Forbes.
