Gippsland Agricultural Leadership Program - Application
Introduction
In 2025, the Gippsland Agricultural Leadership Program will run for the first time, taking an agriculture-specific focus to equip local farmers, land managers and agricultural industry professionals with the skills to think innovatively in addressing the evolving challenges within the sector.
Participants will be empowered to drive transformative change in their businesses, communities, and the broader agricultural landscape, gaining the knowledge and confidence to lead the future of farming in our thriving region.
Led by farm management consultant Chris Mirams and futurist Dr Gary Saliba, director at management consulting company Strategic Journeys, this three-month program includes a regional tour, training, mentoring and peer-to-peer learning to strengthen leadership skills and build personal and business resilience.
Running from March through to May 2025, the program includes a two-day study tour, where participants will explore cutting-edge agricultural practices and hear from sustainable farming innovators and successful agricultural entrepreneurs.
The study tour offers an opportunity to see firsthand how our communities are reimagining their farming approaches, fostering resilience, diversifying income streams, and building stronger collaborations.
Participants will gain practical insights into emerging practices, innovation in sustainability, and the adaptive mindset required to drive change within their own enterprises and the wider sector.
This experience integrates learnings from the program into practice—from solving immediate farm challenges to developing long-term strategies that enhance profitability, sustainability, and community vitality.
Participants should: • have an aspiration for a future role in community-focused leadership, recovery and economic skills; and • be aged over 18 years.
Additional information: • The program will be seven days, including an overnight retreat, and a two-day study tour; • Program days will be full days (9am – 5pm); • Through the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program (RDRP) funding that has been secured, there are no program costs to participants, though personal costs may be incurred; and • Catering will be provided.
Please note: This program accepts applications from individuals with a connection to the region and who have the ability to contribute to the Gippsland community.
