The Sustainable Farming Diversification Program (SFDP) Education & Training Sustainability Ventures (SV) provides education and training services coupled with innovative technologies that create business-led regional employment opportunities, and economic development for disadvantaged rural communities. SV is working with the community, local business and governments to develop practical ways of achieving long-term social change and opportunities, particularly for young people in rural . We offer solutions to the water, energy, environment and economic challenges that rural communities are facing in and around the world. Background: Across the primary industries sector, the impact of drought and climate change is causing significant flow-on effects to the farming community and in particular dairy farmers. Sustainability Ventures (SV) has developed a Training and Mentoring package based around diversification and sustainability in utilization of resources, entrepreneurship and education. One case study is via efficient water management and re-use systems that will allow dairy farmers’ in Australia and internationally to utilize their diverse water sources as a means to establish aquaculture-and hydroponics based operations – providing additional revenue streams for the farmer’s (utilizing their existing diverse water sources) as well as addressing a burgeoning market need for aquaculture and high value hydroponic products. Strategy Phase 1 - Education and training of rural communities (See Appendix 1 for this program outline) Phase 2 – Development of new commercial enterprises leading to community empowerment, employment and economic development of rural communities. Phase 3 - Scale up operation including export and global expansion of the program among disadvantaged communities. Key Objective SFDP ü       Enhance business skills and entrepreneurship among farming businesses and regional communities. ü       Develop skills and provide employment that is essential for the long term sustainability of regional businesses and surrounding communities ü       Assist farmers to identify and exploit new commercial opportunities for the growth and sustainability of their business. The SFDP aims to develop a culture of innovation and motivation to assist farmers to think creatively about their farming business. It will expose participants to innovative technologies for the sustainable development of a diversified food and agriculture sector as well as to other means of improving farm business productivity whilst helping to ease the pressure on natural resources. We intend to initially target 100 participants from Northern Victoria, in particular the Goulburn Valley region and in later stages we will expend to other states with the eventual strategy to expand the program globally. Themes Environment and Energy 1.        Environmental footprint of the farm 2.        Efficient water usage 3.        Efficient Nutrient  Management 4.        Energy efficiency Entrepreneurship, Finance & business 1.        The concept of diversified revenue sources 2.        Alternative diversification options 3.        Identifying alternative sustainable growth areas – feasibility case studies 4.        Managing diversified farming 5.        The supply chain – from produce to marketing 6.        Human resources and employment opportunities 7.        Sourcing funding (private and public) Target market The dairy industry is the 3rd largest primary export in , 70% of the 8,800 dairy farmers in are based in Victoria , yet due to climate change they are facing significant diminishing economic returns. The Services provided by SV can assist Dairy farmers and surrounding indigenous communities in diversifying their operations, maintaining their dairy farm and developing new integrated business centres. The aim is to ensure the long term sustainability of the small to medium dairy farmer whilst enhancing the development of new industries such as aquaculture and hydroponics. Produce will  be exported to South East Asia, Europe and distributed wide.