Food & Fibre Gippsland (F&FG) has marked a significant turning point for the region’s agricultural sector, using FarmWorld 2026 as a platform to launch its new Strategic Plan, a refreshed brand identity, and an updated membership offering.
The event, held from March 26–28, served as a major engagement milestone for the F&FG team, the South East Node, and the Victorian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub. The organisation’s new branding is intended to reflect a period of positive change and refreshed leadership, signalling an ambition to act as a trusted, collaborative force for the local food and fibre industries.
At the core of the launch is the Strategic Plan 2026–29, which outlines the organisation’s impact goals for the coming years. A key element of this plan is the proposal to reinvigorate “Gippsland Trusted” (GT), a regional brand and logo managed by F&FG.
The initiative aims to capitalise on Gippsland’s “clean, green” reputation and stunning landscapes to strengthen consumer trust. By helping buyers connect a product’s origin with its story, the brand is designed to sharpen communication and expand the market reach for local producers.
The participation in FarmWorld 2026 was framed as a direct contribution to Gippsland’s long-term resilience. F&FG highlighted that large-scale agricultural field days are critical for building social capital and accelerating the adoption of climate-resilient practices.
According to the organisation, these events function as informal extension mechanisms that reduce barriers to innovation. By bringing together producers, researchers, and industry advisors, the event supported several key outcomes aligned with the Future Drought Fund, including:
– Increased capability: Providing producers with direct access to drought-resilient tools and peer learning to improve decision-making.
– Network strengthening: Fostering regional collaboration and shared problem-solving across the sector.
– Innovation adoption: Accelerating exposure to proven technologies and management approaches to support practice change.
The F&FG team noted that FarmWorld provided a unique opportunity to engage with producers who might not otherwise participate in structured programs, supporting equity and reach across the region.
As the organisation moves forward with its 2026–29 strategy, leadership emphasised that partnership remains central to their mission.
The conclusion of the event marks the beginning of a journey to bring the new Strategic Plan to life alongside regional stakeholders to enhance preparedness for future drought, fire, and biosecurity risks.
