Rabobank\u2019s Rabo Client Councils have partnered with rural training provider AgriFocused to deliver farm business skills for primary producers in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.<\/p>\n
The practical\u00a0online\u00a0Farm Office Plus\u00a0<\/a>program provides tools to improve management of the \u201coffice side\u201d of farming businesses.<\/p>\n The hands-on training aims to assist with establishing easy record-keeping systems, streamlining bill payment and bookkeeping, reduce accounting fees, minimise filing time and develop time management skills.<\/p>\n The initiative has been spearheaded and funded by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank\u2019s Rabo Client Councils, a\u00a0group of innovative, forward-thinking clients who are passionate about making a difference in their communities and who support initiatives with\u00a0the goal of making a meaningful impact on the vibrancy and resilience of rural Australia.<\/p>\n Through the support of the NSW and Victoria and Tasmania Rabo Client Councils, farm businesses can sign up for Farm Office Plus training at a discounted price. Course participants do not have to be Rabobank clients. The discounted positions are limited to 160 and will be distributed in order of registration.<\/p>\n Rabobank\u2019s NSW Client Council member and Gunning-based sheep and cattle producer Lucy Knight said there is a \u201cneed and thirst\u201d amongst farmers to build office administration skills.<\/p>\n \u201cMany farming businesses are becoming larger, more complex and operating with fewer staff \u2013 managing the farm office is not immune from these pressures \u2013 farmers are looking for ways to streamline administrative processes,\u201d Mrs Knight said.<\/p>\n The Farm Office Plus training is designed for people who may have been \u201cbattling in the office for a while\u201d and looking for an opportunity to upskill, she said.<\/p>\n Mrs Knight said the training aims to enhance farmers\u2019 \u201cnon-paddock skills\u201d and boost their confidence in managing their farm office.<\/p>\n The training will be delivered by AgriFocused founder Carmen Quade. Ms Quade has worked as a university lecturer in accounting and agribusiness, as well as having experience in local government, focused on economic and community development and corporate governance. Together with her husband and family members, Ms Quade is a partner in a mixed farming business at Tallimba, in the Northern Riverina.<\/p>\n Ms Quade said the administrative requirements of running a farming business have grown exponentially.<\/p>\n \u201cStaying on top of finances, managing the email load and fulfilling record keeping requirements can take a lot of time, often impacting on farm operations and family life,\u201d she said. \u201cEfficient and effective systems and a better understanding of tech solutions can win back hours. And timely information can lead to less stress and better decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n Rabobank state manager for NSW Toby Mendl said Rabobank\u2019s Client Councils are helping rural communities flourish.<\/p>\n \u201cAlongside local Client Council members, we engage in listening and learning about the key issues that matter most to our clients, communities and the broader food and agriculture industry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Rabobank\u2019s Rabo Client Council network is focussed on developing meaningful grassroots initiatives to support key themes focusing on building industry capacity, championing rural-wellbeing, sustainability and strengthening the rural\/urban connection.<\/p>\n