Agribusiness Yarra Valley
Featured Partner
Agribusiness Yarra Valley (AYV) is dedicated to supporting businesses in agriculture in Yarra Valley.
AYV partners with agricultural industry bodies, specialised organisations and government to deliver projects and information on a wide variety of topics and regional issues.
AYV activities provide farmers the opportunity to network across industry sectors, view demonstrations, and further develop innovative and sustainable farming methods.
Newsletters and social media posts keep farmers up to date with useful activities happening locally, informative webinars, and support programs for farmers to tap into. AYV staff are equipped to attend regional and industry relevant meetings to represent agricultural businesses and land managers in discussions, allowing farmers to remain busy in their businesses.
Current Projects
- Project Ag-Resilience — facilitates connections into ideas or tools to build resilience into farming practices, in preparation of a forecasted increased weather extremes. The project focuses on the integrated management of soil, water, and biodiversity, as well as links to productivity, sustainability, and industry benchmarks.
- Keep Yarra Valley Fruit Fly Free— major fruit producers, government, and community members combine forces to guide fruit fly Area Wide Management initiatives for fruit fly monitoring, localised notifications, and distribution of prevention, awareness and management information.
- Blackberry management — a case-study-led program enriching land managers with blackberry management skills and coordinated planning with neighbouring land managers. Demonstration days include multi-year strategies, integrated vegetation management and control techniques and links to the Victorian Blackberry Taskforce and the blackberry control manual.
- Upper Yarra Valley Local Development Project – AYV participates in an innovation group focused on the development of emerging agricultural business concepts in the regions transitioning out of the hardwood logging industry.
- Yarra Valley Seasonal Work Hub — an online platform connecting local agribusinesses with seasonal job seekers, funded through the Victorian Government’s Seasonal Workforce Industry Support program.
- Facilitating links to other organisations farmers can connect with Victorian Farmers Federation, Yarra Ranges Council, Melbourne Water, Farmers Centre for Mental Health, Agriculture Victoria, Rural Finance, Commonwealth Assistance, Fruit Growers Victoria, Citrus Australia, Berries Australia, Summer Fruit Australia, Meat and Livestock Association, Wine Yarra Valley and Wine Australia, Landcare groups and Bird Life Australia.
- Past projects the AYV website holds knowledge from all its past projects such as insectariums, water reuse, and rabbit management, for inclusion in current projects and ongoing support for land managers
Governance and reach
AYV is supported by a volunteer board of industry representatives from fruit & viticulture, animals & pasture, nursery & cut flowers. Quarterly meetings provide an opportunity to meet with local council, Melbourne Water and education providers.
