Media Release
The Farm to Organisation, Central West NSW project is the first of its kind in Australia
Regional Development Australia Central West (RDACW) NSW is continuing to drive ‘Farm to Organisation’* – a first of its kind project in Australia – part of an ambitious movement in the region supporting, not just regional economic development, but also social and environmental development.
Farm to Organisation (Farm to Org.) is about creating new and direct pathways for regional producers and farmers, within the Central West, to market directly to local organisations and institutions.
The ultimate goal of this project will be for local organisations and institutions, such as schools, hospitals, universities, aged care homes, disability providers as well as local supermarkets, clubs, restaurants and cafes to buy more of their food and food products from within the Central West NSW region. The key objective is to grow our regional food economy to become more sustainable whilst simultaneously growing the health and resilience of the region.
RDA Central West appreciates the ongoing support of Cadia Valley Operations, a valued funding partner for this project. Charles Sturt University (CSU) is the research partner, providing strong research support and also exploring ways to increase their purchasing of local produce.
If you are an interested organisation or one of our fantastic local farmers, food producers or growers keen to be partnered with a local organisation through this exciting project, please contact Lindy Thompson at RDA Central West on (02) 6369 1600 or lindy@rdacentralwest.org.au A dedicated Farm to Org. website will be launching soon.
*’Farm to Organisation’ was previously referred to as ‘Farm to Institution’.
With thanks to our partners:
A message from new CEO, Sam Harma
RDACW’s Chair Christine Weston welcomes new CEO Sam Harma. (Photo Credit: Central Western Daily)RDA Central West has a welcomed a new voice with the appointment of Mr Sam Harma as the new CEO at RDA Central West.
“The Central West is a vibrant and diverse region. The opportunities are immense and the communities who call the Central West home are resilient.
“I am honoured to be the new CEO/Director of Regional Development at RDA Central West. RDA’s have a long history of delivery, and have built trust with the community over many years. I look forward to continuing to strengthen this role.
“I invite new ideas, and encourage all interested parties to contact our passionate team any time if we can support your idea, project, event or community in any way.
“RDA Central West has the unique role of advocating on behalf of and working together with community organisations, all levels of government and the private sector. This positions RDA to have a key role in economic development and as a leader of regional development outcomes across our region.
“I look forward to my family growing in the Central West and capitalising on the fantastic lifestyle, and unmatched opportunities which exist to all those who live, work and invest in the Central West.”
Media Release: AgriTECH goes west – AgriTECH Education Innovation workshops Lake Cargelligo
More than 120 primary and high school students from Lake Cargelligo Central School, Condobolin Public School and Euabalong West Public School participated in the AgriTECH Education Innovation Workshops held at Lake Cargelligo Central School earlier this month.
The STEM Industry School Partnership Program partnered with CQ University to deliver the workshop. Researchers and Industry experts led students through a range of exciting technology, science and design thinking activities around agriculture. (more…)
Media Release: Central West arts groups don’t miss out!
Photo credit: UnsplashRDA Central West is calling on all arts practitioners, groups and communities across the region to not miss out on their opportunity to apply for support through the Regional Arts Fund.
The Regional Arts Fund’s community grants aim to support sustainable cultural development in regional and remote Australia and meet the strategic priorities of supporting participation in, and access to, the arts and encouraging greater private sector support for the arts. RDA Central West CEO Sam Harma, said the Central West has a distinctive and vibrant arts scene which drives local jobs and tourism across the region.
Media Release: Robots inspire STEM teachers in Industry Partnership pilot program
Regional Development Australia Central West recently held its first workshop for the Pilot STEM Industry School Partnership (SISP) Program at Canobolas Rural Technology High in Orange.
The Sphero Robotics workshop was attended by 10 teachers from Orange East, Bletchington, Clergate, Spring Hill, Calare, Bowen, Glenroi Heights and Mullion Creek public schools.
Media Release: Farm to Institution, Central West NSW Project
Regional Development Australia Central West is launching Farm to Institution Central West NSW – a first-of-its-kind project in Australia, and part of an embryonic movement in the region supporting not just regional economic development, but also social and environmental development.
Farm to Institution Central West NSW is about creating new pathways to market for regional producers and farmers into regional institutions. (more…)
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Regional Development Australia (RDA) Central West is collaborating with RDAs Hunter and Southern Inland to pilot a program that provides students in years 5 to 8 in each region with age appropriate STEM skills and pathways to STEM jobs.
Funded by the NSW Department of Education, the STEM Industry School Partnership (SISP) Program matches schools in each region with an industry partner and technology program.
Media Release: $7 million boost for local Central West economies
An impressive number of projects from the Central West have been selected as funding recipients for the Federal Governments Building Better Regions Fund Round Two which has awarded more than $7 million in funding for local infrastructure and community projects.
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Innovation to improve the efficency and productivity of mixed farming operations across Central NSW is the focus of the Agribusiness Today Forum in Parkes next month.
The Forum on Thursday 2 August and Field Day on Friday 3 August will feature skilled speakers and live demonstrations of new technology in the livestock and cropping industries. (more…)
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Central NSW Councils (Centroc) and RDA Central West welcome a Federal Government report into regional development and decentralisation, which recommends a new approach to developing regional economies emphasising long-term policy making, decentralisation and human capital. (more…)
Media Release: Regional solutions to dire metro population growth warnings
Decentralisation and policies focussing on jobs and infrastructure for regional areas must form a significant part of the national strategy to combat the dire consequences of the unprecedented population growth in metropolitan cities over the next 30 years, says Regional Development Australia Central West Acting Chair, Reg Kidd. (more…)
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