Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA)
Since 2011, EEC has delivered a number of programs for DAFWA including a five-day program for farmers throughout Western Australia on the subject of finance and strategic planning, culminating in the participating farmers preparing annual strategic plans for submission to DAFWA for grants to commence implementing these plans. A one-day refresher workshop is also offered within this contract. EEC has provided a range of experienced facilitators to deliver the programs that was prepared by Curtin University and DAFWA, the measured outcome for Murdoch being the participant evaluations and success of the farmers gaining grants.
Complexity and diversity are present in delivery of these programs. For example, some workshops were conducted in Carnarvon for a group of Vietnamese farmers. An interpreter was used because many of the farmers have English as a second language or were non-English speaking.
This program (Drought Reform Measures) won for DAFWA the 2012 Economic Development of Australia (EDA) National Strategic Planning Award. EEC recently filmed aspects of this program in order that those participating in the program have a reference material to share with others in their farm businesses. The decision to supplement the written material with video material was made as there are identified literacy and numeracy issues for many people working in the farming community.