Rabobank and Ricegrowers Association of Australia Co-host Coly Workshop

Coleambally and Finley farmers have the opportunity to expand their knowledge at a Rabo Client Council workshop, co-hosted by Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA), designed to help provide the financial skills critical to managing an agricultural enterprise.

The practical Financial Skills Workshops, providing farmers with an opportunity to both upskill and network, will be held in late July and are free of charge.

The initiative has been spearheaded and funded by food and agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank’s Rabo Client Council, a group of the bank’s farming clients who volunteer their time implementing programs that contribute to the sustainability of rural and regional communities.

The complimentary, interactive workshops provide practical, hands-on guidance for understanding financial statements and banking requirements and explores topics such as understanding key components of a business’ financial profile.

Riverina and Northern Victoria Rabo Client Council member and Kaarimba-based dairy farmer, Monique Bryant said the workshops were aimed to help bridge the gap between farming expertise and financial knowledge for participants.

Ms Bryant said while most farmers were both well-educated and had extensive on-farm experience, understanding the nuances of financial reporting and banking requirements could still be unfamiliar to them.

The workshops were designed to allow couples and family members to attend together.

“They offer a valuable chance for farmers to step away from their business, absorb the same information and foster a shared understanding of financial reporting,” Ms Bryant said.

“By learning together, they can enhance their financial expertise as a team.”

RGA President, Peter Herrmann said as for any business, it was critical for farmers to possess strong financial skills.

“The RGA is proud to partner with Rabobank to bring their Farm Financial Skills Workshops to Finley and Coleambally,” Mr Herrmann said.

“The Financial Skills Workshops will help our growers improve their understanding of financial reporting and banking, thereby assisting to boost the resilience and prosperity of the local farming community.

“This, in turn, strengthens their family and local community.”

Ms Bryan said Rabobank’s Rabo Client Council network was focused on developing meaningful grassroots initiatives to support key themes focusing on agri-education, rural wellbeing, sustainability, adaptation and creating rural/urban connections.

Rabobank Regional Manager for Riverina and Norther Victoria, Sally Bul said farmers who had attended previous Rabobank Financial Skills Workshops had told the bank the information provided had been real and valuable.

Ms Bull said that while the original target audience for the workshops was the next generation of farmers, feedback from farmers who are currently in the driver’s seat of their business was that they were also reaping the benefits from these education sessions, and also pleased to see the learning opportunities being made available for the next farming generation.

“Since the launch of the workshops in 2018, the Rabo Client Councils have extended this valuable learning opportunity to over 4,550 farmers across Australia and New Zealand,” she said.

“If you’re interested in attending these workshops, keen to met other leading producers in the agri-sector and increase your financial literacy and skills, confirm your place before the courses are fully allocated.”

The workshops, limited to 30 participants each though not restricted to the bank’s clients, will be presented by Director of Hudson Facilitation, Tony Hudson.

They will be from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm on Tuesday, July 23 for Finley and Wednesday, July 24 for Coleambally.

Morning tea and lunch catering will be provided.

Contact rabocommunity@rabobank.com with any queries about the workshop or click here to register your attendance.

• Topics:

• Agriculture & Farming
• Workshop / Short Courses