Agritourism grants back Queensland primary producers and good jobs

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Published
18 October 2022
Kalbar Agritourism

Agritourism is a tourism-related agricultural experience, service or product that connects visitors with people, places or products on a farm. Agritourism is an important growth industry for Queensland’s economy, particularly in regional and rural areas over the next decade and is worth an estimated $4.5 billion by 2030.

The Queensland Farmers’ Federation is delivering Round 2 of the grants, offering a 50 percent co-contribution up to a maximum of $25,000 to match farmers’ funds. This grant will assist farmers to establish or expand into agritourism by employing professional or specialist services or constructing or modifying on-farm infrastructure.  This is the final round and applicants who missed out in the first round are encouraged to apply again.

Round 2 closes at midnight on Sunday 13 November 2022. To apply, visit www.qff.org.au/projects/agritourism.

Agritourism offers opportunities for farmers:

  • Create brand, establish provenance, and build reputation by sharing their farming story in the context of their people, place and produce
  • Innovate and diversify through value-added products and services
  • Increase income through agritourism revenue streams
  • Smooth volatility of cashflow
  • Monetise underutilised assets such as farm buildings and natural aesthetic
  • Connect with locals and visitors to the area.

Eligible grant activities:

  • Securing professional consultancy or specialist services to:
    • develop a business plan
    • develop the agritourism product offering / experience development
    • provide legal or tax advice pertaining to business structures for new agritourism ventures
    • develop architect or design plans
    • develop risk management audits and plans
    • develop marketing collateral and tools such as product packaging, website design and hosting or photography and videography
    • market research or customer/visitor experience analysis
    • assist with making applications such as food safety certification
  • Infrastructure construction and/or installation (which must have the relevant approvals and permits in place to receive funding)
  • Provision of trades and services to facilitate the agritourism activity including fees for qualified and licenced trades such as electricians and plumbers as well as ‘handyman’ services
  • Safety fencing and signage
  • Relevant training
  • Purchase of goods directly pertaining to the agritourism venture (e.g. furniture for a farm stay facility)

Eligibility criteria:

  • Farms must be in Queensland
  • Businesses must be registered as a primary producer with the ATO
  • Only one grant may be applied per property/business
  • The farm must meet the definition of a small business by the ATO or ABS (farm income for FY 2019-20 is under $2m and/or are employing under 20 people)
  • Grants cannot be used to fund local or state government fees such as land-use planning applications, food safety certification, or liquor licencing fees

Grants cannot be used to fund owner or employee salaries or on-costs.

For more information, please download the information flyer here.