Mick Rouget

Murrindindi Shire Council’s ‘Agribusiness Diversification Breakfast Workshop’ will be held at the Molesworth Food and Wine Co on Thursday next week (Nov. 28).

Victorian Rural Woman of the Year finalist Jade Miles, and Murrindindi Business Award-winner Mick Rouget from Koala Cherries, will be presenting on how you can get more innovative with your product mix.

They will speak on diversify beyond traditional agribusiness – including through farm-gate sales, pick-your-own options and farm-stay accommodation.

As well as running a horticulture business in the Victorian town of Stanley, Jade has a background in marketing, tourism and business start-up support and is keen to share her knowledge, experience and methods, successful and not-so-successful.

Mick Rouget, from Koala Cherries in Yarck, will be on hand to share the story of his family business and their recent diversification activities, including making and selling processed cherry products such as cherry jam and syrup at their farm gate store and offering a ‘pick-your-own’ option.

Murrindindi officers will be at the workshop to help you find out if your business idea might be eligible for support through Council’s ‘Grants and Contributions’ Program.

Tickets to the Agribusiness Diversification Breakfast Workshop cost $20 per person, which includes breakfast.

After the workshop, all attendees are invited to join in the networking session to meet, share ideas and make connections with the presenters and other local business operators.

Council’s Communications, Tourism and Events Portfolio Councillor, Jackie Ashe, said these workshops were a great opportunity to hear from some really amazing presenters.

“We have some incredible businesses doing really progressive things here in Murrindindi Shire, but there’s always room for growth,” Cr Ashe said.

“These workshops might be just the inspiration you need to think outside the square on that idea or tackle that issue that has been niggling away in the back of your mind.”

Agribusiness not your thing? Council is also running another two workshops as part of its Doing Business Better series, which is a partnership between Council and Regional Development Victoria.

The first workshop will explore how to identify and make the most of your business’s unique selling proposition and customer service and will be held at Toolangi Tavern on Tuesday, December 3.

‘ The second workshop, which will delve into how best to commercialise new business ideas, will run at Flowerdale Estate on Wednesday, December 11, ” Cr Ashe said.

Find out more or book your place at www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au/businessworkshops

Murrindindi Council, with support from the Victorian Government, is delivering these workshops to help strengthen local businesses and enable them to expand their employment opportunities.

• Contributed