$15,000 up for grabs for aspiring farmers
Round 5 of the Willunga Farmers Market Scholarship is now open after the success of previous scholarship recipients.
With partnership support from the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management board the $15,000 scholarship is open to those interested in farming but discouraged by the obstacles of entering the industry.
Application packs will be available for download from the Willunga Farmers Market website and close Monday, 29 October 2018.
- Over 12 months the scholarship will provide the successful recipient with:
- $12,000 start-up capital to grow primary produce on the Fleurieu Peninsula
- Mentorship in small business management and farming practises to the value of $3000
- A guaranteed license to trade and weekly stall site at Willunga Farmers Market to supply primary produce for two years, with the first six months’ stall site free of charge (valued at $1600).
Comments from past scholarship winners;
2014 Jay Kimber – “the scholarship opened doors that I never thought would existed or that I was too scared to explore. Without the scholarship I don’t think I would have had the courage to have started my career farming”.
2015 Kate Washington – “I wouldn’t change anything for the world. I’ve learnt to value hard work, resilience, simple living and farming has made my passion for growing food even stronger”.
2016 John Butler, Heirloom Harvest – “Our goal to become the premier South Australian seed producer/retailer selling high quality, locally adapted seed to South Australian growers is now becoming a reality”.
2017 Michael Taylor, Primordia Mushrooms – Starting a new venture in a field outside of what I was used to was a scary thing to consider; I was afraid I would be going it alone and really having to work everything out myself. Receiving the new farmers scholarship and working with the Willunga Farmers Market was so much more than just the resources to start my business. The mentoring, advice and support I received helped me at critical times to understand how the sector worked and what I should be trying to achieve, and the market is made up of a hugely supportive community of producers. It was a hugely helpful process that made a huge leap seem not so scary.
For the editor:
More detailed information on the scholarship can be found on the Farmers Scholarship page on our website, www.willungafarmersmarket.com.au
Willunga Farmers Market is a not-for profit organisation. The Willunga Farmers Market is open every Saturday, 8am til 12.30pm, and provides fresh, locally grown produce direct from the farmer.
