This grant program aims to deliver improved connectivity and encourage farmers to adopt Agtech to boost productivity and improve resource management, including water efficiency and drought preparedness.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $35,000
- Application opened: 3 February 2023
- Application closed: 31 August 2023
Program objective
The Farms of the Future program aims to facilitate tech enabled production and monitoring through improved connectivity and installation of sensor equipment which support increased productivity, competitiveness, job creation and sustainable use of resources in the selected agricultural sectors: Cotton, Livestock (sheep and beef), Grains and Horticultural (tree crops and vines).
The program is committed to working with regional communities, farmers and industries, enabling them to become more self-reliant and better prepared for the impacts of future drought events and other economic shocks.
This program is administered by Department of Primary Industries.
This program is funded by Department of Regional NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible to apply for Farms of the Future grant funding, applicants must:
- have a primary production enterprise in any agricultural industry (see the Definitions section of the Grant Guidelines for the list of eligible ANSZIC Codes), however the program focus is on the livestock (beef and sheep), cotton, grains or horticulture (trees crops and vines) sectors
- operate the primary production enterprise in an eligible local government area: Armidale, Ballina, Byron, Cabonne, Carrathool, Griffith, Leeton, Lismore, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Orange
- hold an active ABN in respect of the primary production enterprise
- operate the primary production enterprise as a sole trader, partnership, trust or private company, or a combination of these structures
- obtain a turnover of at least $40,000 per annum from primary production or otherwise operate an ATO recognised bona fide primary production enterprise
- attend the Farms of the Future training program by 30 June 2023 or
- enrolled in the online Farms of the Future training program in Canvas by 30 June 2023 and complete the training by 31 July 2023
- receive a Farms of the Future training program Certificate of Completion
- agree to provide the Department of Primary Industries with access to weather data from specified complying Ag IoT devices purchased under the program to assist with seasonal conditions reporting and provision of future farm-level forecasting tools
- lodge an application by the closing date.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Farms of the Future grant funding can only be used to purchase Agtech that is identified in your endorsed Agtech Plan and must be from approved suppliers from the Farms of the Future Agtech Catalogue, which fit the agriculture sectors and use cases defined by the program.
Applicants are accountable for implementing the entire phase of project delivery including obtaining, where relevant, all planning permits, licences and approvals and appointing suppliers and/or contractors to complete works, including power requirements.
What can’t you apply for
The following are ineligible purchases through the Farms of the Future grant program, and will not be paid:
- Ag IoT devices, connectivity solutions or dashboards that are already covered by NSW Government grant funding or under an insurance policy
- Ag IoT devices, connectivity solutions or dashboards purchased prior to the applicant obtaining a Farms of the Future Agtech Training Certification
- Any purchases of Ag IoT devices, connectivity solutions, or dashboards that do not comply with the Farms of the Future Agtech Catalogue at the time of approval.
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
Download the grant guidelines for more information about the Farms of the Future grant program, including key dates, eligibility and assessment criteria:
File
Farms of the Future Grant Guidelines (PDF 11.73MB)View an example application form:
File
Farms of the Future Grants Program example application (PDF 1.96MB)
Prepare your application with this checklist
Visit the Rural Assistance Authority website to see all the sections that need to be addressed as part of the Farms of the Future grant application.
Applicants must complete an online application form and upload:
- Latest farm business tax returns and financial statements
- Local Land Services rates notice or local council rates notice
- Lease agreement (if you are the lessee of a property)
- Farms of the Future training program Certificate of Completion
- Farms of the Future Approved Tech List
If you have previously submitted tax returns to the NSW RAA for the financial year 2020/2021 or more recently, you will not need to provide further information. If we do not have your previous financial information, we will seek your permission to contact your accountant directly if this is easiest for you.
Resources for applicants
Funding available
Applicants can apply for funding of 70% of the cost of eligible purchases of approved Agtech (which includes Ag IoT devices, connectivity solutions and device data integration dashboards), up to a maximum of $35,000 (excluding GST) per eligible applicant.
Grant contributions for the connectivity solutions is subject to a specific cap of $15,000, within the overall program cap of $35,000.
Grant applications must be for a minimum of $5,000. The subscription costs for apps and devices, up until the end of the program, 30 June 2025 can be included in the grant amount.
Applications are limited to one application per Australian Business Number (ABN) for the first round of the program.
Additional applications may be made for any subsequent rounds provided the total grant to that applicant does not exceed $35,000.
For further information, please refer to the program guidelines (PDF 11.73MB).
The availability of grants is subject to funds being available. No grants will be offered beyond the allocated funding. You should visit the Department of Primary Industries Farms of the Future webpage on a regular basis for the latest information regarding the close date.
Assessment process
Grant applications will be assessed in order of receipt by the Farms of the Future program.
Incomplete applications will not enter the assessment queue or be assessed until all required information is provided. Late applications will not be accepted.
Applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria.
The Department of Primary Industries will make an initial assessment of eligibility, based on your completion of the Farms of the Future training program before 30 June 2023, and provision of an endorsed Agtech Plan.
Applications that pass this stage will be referred to the Rural Assistance Authority for final assessment of eligibility (including Primary Producer status), approval and processing.
The Rural Assistance Authority will not approve an application from a person, or a close associate of a person, who is under investigation or has been charged in relation to the fraudulent receipt of grants under this program or other programs.
The Rural Assistance Authority reserves the right to request further information from you or from any business or individual you have engaged, to assist in assessing your application and to verify any information provided in your application. Failure to provide such information may result in your application being refused.
The Rural Assistance Authority reserves the right to refuse an application where eligibility criteria are not met, or where you do not or cannot provide sufficient information to determine if eligibility criteria have been met.
Applicants should note that past financial assistance under this program or any other program is not a reliable indicator of eligibility for future financial assistance.
Applications submitted may be subject to audit by the Rural Assistance Authority or its agents in order to determine compliance with scheme guidelines.
Before applying for financial assistance under this program, you should seek advice from your legal, business or financial advisers about the tax implications of this financial assistance.
You will be required to provide a range of supporting documentation that may include the latest Local Land Services rates notice, local council rate notice, tax returns and financial statements for the applying entity.
After the application is submitted
Applicants will be assessed and notified within 20 business days of their submission. Where complex applications are received this time frame may be up to 30 business days.
Details of successful applicants will be supplied to the responsible Minister’s office five working days before the applicant is notified.
Claim processing timeframes will be within 15 business days of the Rural Assistance Authority and Farms of the Future team receiving applicant invoices. Where complex applications are received this timeframe may be up to 20 business days.
Support and contact
The Farms of the Future team are available to answer questions about the grant program. Please contact fotf@dpi.nsw.gov.aufor more information.
Please note, if any information provided in response to an applicant's enquiry has applicability to all applicants, and is not general public knowledge, an update to the online Frequently Asked Questions will be made. The department is not able to assist applicants with the preparation of their application.