The Farm Business Resilience Program helps Queensland producers manage risk, adapt to change, and plan for a secure future. The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) delivers the program with funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaption Program. It provides targeted support for farmers to address challenges, including climate variability, market disruption, succession planning, and personal wellbeing.
To meet these needs, QFF developed a specialised series of workshops and webinars combining practical tools, expert insights, and real-world experience. Each session focused on core areas of farm business resilience such as financial literacy and management, legal preparedness, weather forecasting, insurance planning, and mental health support. By connecting producers with industry specialists, technical advisors, and peers, the series gave participants the knowledge, skills, and networks to respond proactively to challenges and seize opportunities.
Tips and Tools for Tough Times Workshop – Warwick
The Tips and Tools for Tough Times Workshop helped industry representatives better understand the mental health resources available for individuals, families, staff, and communities. Elizabeth McNaughton from New Zealand consultancy Disastrous led the session using collaborative activities to help participants build confidence in navigating natural disasters and other challenges.
Guest speaker Evelyn Beaumont-Tyson presented ‘Birdie’s Tree’, an award-winning set of storybooks, videos and resources created by the Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health (QCPIMH) to support children and families during natural disasters and disruptive events.
The session also connected participants with practical services and support options. Participants learned to recognise signs of mental health struggles, have supportive conversations within their teams and communities, and access early intervention services. The workshop encouraged a culture of care and proactive wellbeing across the sector.
Understanding Family Business Structures and Your Responsibilities – Boonah
At QFF’s Boonah workshop ‘Understanding Family Business Structures and Your Responsibilities’, Kylie Wilson from Sparke Helmore Lawyers and Maddi Allen from BDO explored the business structures commonly used in agriculture. They outlined the advantages and pitfalls of each and helped participants assess which structure best suited their business goals.
Participants strengthened their understanding of why customised business structures are essential in multigenerational family businesses, and gained practical tools to assess current structures, improve risk management, and align decisions with succession and exit strategies.
Strengthening the Financial Security of Rural Agribusiness Women – Dalby
Grounded in QFF’s Walking the Wire resource, this masterclass was more than a workshop—it brought rural agribusiness women together around shared challenges, ambitions, and resilience. QFF CEO Jo Sheppard opened the day by sharing her story: a childhood shaped by the rhythms of farm life, a career built through determination, and her journey into agricultural leadership.
BMO’s Michelle McVeigh and Helen Ruddy then led a financial literacy program, offering clear, practical guidance on strategic planning, succession, and superannuation. They equipped participants with tools to shape their future with confidence. Nikki Morrison closed the day with strategies for nurturing personal wellbeing, reminding participants that resilience begins with self-care. The event celebrated the vital role women play in financial decision-making and business continuity, while also highlighting practical tools to balance business demands with wellbeing and confident leadership.
Forecasting to Farm – Weather Tools to Aid Seasonal Planning (Webinar)
In this webinar, Andrew Maclean, Agriculture Liaison at the Bureau of Meteorology, and Ian Moss, CEO of FARM, shared how producers can use climate and weather data to improve farm decisions. Andrew demonstrated tools like MetEye, which provide precise, location-specific forecasts to guide day-to-day operations. Ian highlighted how My Climate View supports long-term climate variability and risk. Together, they showed how forecasting tools can become actionable strategies for seasonal and long-term resilience. The event celebrated the vital role women play in financial decision-making and business continuity, while also highlighting practical tools to balance business demands with wellbeing and confident leadership.
Wills and Estate Planning in Agribusiness (Webinar)
In this legal-focused session, Kylie Wilson of Sparke Helmore Lawyers outlined the essential components of a strong estate plan. Participants learned the importance of up-to-date Wills and Powers of Attorney, the probate process, and common pitfalls to avoid when planning for succession in family farming businesses. The session stressed the need to start estate planning early, gave participants tools to begin drafting or updating Wills, and highlighted the risks of poorly planned estates. It also reinforced the importance of seeking professional legal guidance.
Insurance Gaps – Covering the Things You Don’t Consider (Webinar)
This session explored the often-overlooked areas of agribusiness insurance, highlighting protections many producers may not realise they need. An expert panel, featuring Russell Mehmet (WTW), Michelle Love (WTW) and Bill Hardie (Liberty Specialty Markets) outlined innovative products such as parametric insurance and crisis management cover.
The panel showed how these solutions can safeguard businesses against climate shocks, market unpredictability, and other risks. The session encouraged farmers to think beyond conventional insurance, raised awareness of financial vulnerabilities in many enterprises, and highlighted opportunities to strengthen resilience through strategic coverage planning.
Through the Farm Business Resilience Program, QFF equips Queensland producers with the knowledge, skills, and networks they need to manage risk, adapt to change, and build resilient businesses for the future.