Prepare for the Future.
Are you a passionate grower seeking to improve your viticulture business?
Welcome to GrowStrong. A transformative program specifically designed to fuel your business with strategic management and planning resources.
This immersive training experience is packed with practical tools and invaluable knowledge that will equip your viticulture business to meet the demands of grape growing for the immediate and long term future.
*Please note that the program may not follow the sequence outlined below for your specific region. WGCSA has thoughtfully deliberated on the timing of each training component in consultation with our regional representatives.
Welcome to GrowStrong. A transformative program specifically designed to fuel your business with strategic management and planning resources.
This immersive training experience is packed with practical tools and invaluable knowledge that will equip your viticulture business to meet the demands of grape growing for the immediate and long term future.
*Please note that the program may not follow the sequence outlined below for your specific region. WGCSA has thoughtfully deliberated on the timing of each training component in consultation with our regional representatives.
Program Content.
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Masterclasses with Experts: Immerse yourself in 8 masterclasses, carefully curated over four non consecutive days by the University of Adelaide, Adelaide Business School.
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Take a moment to tune in to our conversation below, in which CEO Lisa Bennier discusses the GrowStrong program alongside Christopher Graves and Armando Corsi from the University of Adelaide Business School. |
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Crisis Mapping and Scenario Planning:
Although a degree of unpredictability has always existed in the agricultural sector (as well as in the broader business environment), the increasing prevalence of VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) is placing additional short- and long-term strain on organisations.
Participants will learn about the fundamentals of risk mapping and scenario planning to tackle short- and long-term challenges.
Risk mapping (and contingency planning) can provide valuable short-term protection, resilience, and recovery from immediate risks. Increased awareness and a clearer understanding of causal impact results in better, faster and more informed decisions in periods of crisis.
Scenario planning is a tool that facilitates the exploration of longer-term threats (and opportunities). A structured process that considers multiple, hypothetical and equally plausible futures, scenario planning identifies and explores the evolution of key sources of uncertainty. Scenario planning is a versatile tool that is used across a multitude of industries to build and develop resilience and create sustainable growth.
Financial Management & Budgeting
This masterclass focuses on improving your financial literacy, so you understand how to assess your business's financial performance and financial standing.
Participants will learn how to read and interpret commonly used financial reports, such as an income statement and a balance sheet, and undertake fundamental financial analysis to evaluate your business's financial health.
Participants will also learn the importance of cash flow management and how to undertake cash flow forecasts as part of managing the liquidity of your business.
This masterclass is designed as a hands-on session where participants will have an opportunity to apply the concepts covered to a real farm business case study.
The content of the masterclass will be aligned to the regulations set in the Wine Grapes Industry Act.
Legal aspects of the Grape and Wine Industry and How to Harness the Law to Withstand and Emerge from crises
This masterclass will explore how commercial law impacts upon farming businesses, particularly those operating within the grape and wine industry.
Specifically, it will focus on the practical and legal measures these businesses can implement to avoid unwanted liability and to better prepare for, withstand, and emerge stronger from shocks and crisis events.
Topics to be covered include contracting issues (for growers and wineries, such as for grape purchase agreements), legal safeguards and risk management, taxation liability and strategies, navigating the sale of goods (grapes) and securities legislation, competition and consumer law, and the ACCC’s review of the wine grape industry.
Succession and Exit Planning- Answering the What, Why and How Questions
Many farm business owners will face the issue of succession or exit (i.e., ownership transition) over the next decade. The successful transition of farm businesses is critical for the financial and psychological well-being of the owners, their families and the communities in which they are based. Despite this, available statistics suggest many are unprepared for this event, either because of uncertainty about preparing for transition or avoiding the associated financial, legal and family complexities.
In this masterclass, participants will learn more about the transition options available to farm business owners. This includes understanding the different aspects of succession planning, developing, and evaluating the capabilities required for the NextGen of the family to assume leadership and ownership responsibilities, and the common challenges faced and how to address them. The masterclass also outlines alternative exit options available to farm business owners.
A guest speaker who has recently undergone a transition event will share their journey, including tips for others when planning for this critical stage of the lifecycle of the business.
Building Strong Relationships with Customers through Unique Brand Stories, Communication, and Community Engagement
This masterclass introduces participants to three overarching topics related to cultivating and developing strong relationships with existing and new customers. This includes identifying unique and distinctive brand stories, understanding how to effectively communicate and share those stories, and how to identify and facilitate connections with potential customers through community engagement*.
The masterclass will begin with a discussion on the importance of identifying and developing unique brand stories to share through effective storytelling practices. We will then cover different communication strategies and platforms available to share these stories with potential customers. Lastly, we will cover the importance of community engagement* to identify and connect with a new or existing portfolio of customers.
*The community engagement component can be tailored for each cohort through utilisation of guest speakers from each regional area.
Need help? Navigating the Landscape of Resources and Advice Available to Farm Businesses
Government at the local, state, and federal levels make a range of resources and advice available to farm business owners to assist them in managing and growing their farm business.
In addition, industry associations and private providers also provide assistance. The challenge is navigating this landscape of available resources and advice to find the help you need when you need it.
This masterclass provides a broad overview of the range of resources and advice available to farm business owners. The masterclass will also offer valuable strategies for cutting through the complexity to find and access the resources and assistance you need when you need it.
Adopting Technology to Enable Business Transformation
Adoption of technology can mean many things to Agricultural businesses, from building a functional website and using cloud-based accounting right through to deep AgTech solutions such as automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and blockchain technology.
Whatever the size of the business, or where it sits in the agricultural supply chain, for successful digital adoption in the ag sector, business owners need to understand how technology can impact their business and how to leverage it for success.
This masterclass will assist you to assess your business and support its growth by identifying specific technology interventions which will enable progress.
Striking the Right Balance: The Importance of Work-Life Balance and Engaging in Self-Care
In our new world of continuous disruption, high expectation, and managing increasingly complex stakeholder groups, our ability to ‘bounce back’ has taken on a whole new meaning. Getting the balance right may not be easy and is influenced by many individual and workplace factors, yet it is essential for mental health and well-being.
Key topics covered concerning work-life balance include definition, importance, barriers and facilitators, and strategies to improve it. Additionally, this masterclass focuses on the value of engaging in self-care.
Participants will leave understanding the connection between work-life balance, self-care, and health and well-being, and with a personal self-care plan they can implement to aid in work-life balance and foster positive physical, emotional and social health.
Although a degree of unpredictability has always existed in the agricultural sector (as well as in the broader business environment), the increasing prevalence of VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) is placing additional short- and long-term strain on organisations.
Participants will learn about the fundamentals of risk mapping and scenario planning to tackle short- and long-term challenges.
Risk mapping (and contingency planning) can provide valuable short-term protection, resilience, and recovery from immediate risks. Increased awareness and a clearer understanding of causal impact results in better, faster and more informed decisions in periods of crisis.
Scenario planning is a tool that facilitates the exploration of longer-term threats (and opportunities). A structured process that considers multiple, hypothetical and equally plausible futures, scenario planning identifies and explores the evolution of key sources of uncertainty. Scenario planning is a versatile tool that is used across a multitude of industries to build and develop resilience and create sustainable growth.
Financial Management & Budgeting
This masterclass focuses on improving your financial literacy, so you understand how to assess your business's financial performance and financial standing.
Participants will learn how to read and interpret commonly used financial reports, such as an income statement and a balance sheet, and undertake fundamental financial analysis to evaluate your business's financial health.
Participants will also learn the importance of cash flow management and how to undertake cash flow forecasts as part of managing the liquidity of your business.
This masterclass is designed as a hands-on session where participants will have an opportunity to apply the concepts covered to a real farm business case study.
The content of the masterclass will be aligned to the regulations set in the Wine Grapes Industry Act.
Legal aspects of the Grape and Wine Industry and How to Harness the Law to Withstand and Emerge from crises
This masterclass will explore how commercial law impacts upon farming businesses, particularly those operating within the grape and wine industry.
Specifically, it will focus on the practical and legal measures these businesses can implement to avoid unwanted liability and to better prepare for, withstand, and emerge stronger from shocks and crisis events.
Topics to be covered include contracting issues (for growers and wineries, such as for grape purchase agreements), legal safeguards and risk management, taxation liability and strategies, navigating the sale of goods (grapes) and securities legislation, competition and consumer law, and the ACCC’s review of the wine grape industry.
Succession and Exit Planning- Answering the What, Why and How Questions
Many farm business owners will face the issue of succession or exit (i.e., ownership transition) over the next decade. The successful transition of farm businesses is critical for the financial and psychological well-being of the owners, their families and the communities in which they are based. Despite this, available statistics suggest many are unprepared for this event, either because of uncertainty about preparing for transition or avoiding the associated financial, legal and family complexities.
In this masterclass, participants will learn more about the transition options available to farm business owners. This includes understanding the different aspects of succession planning, developing, and evaluating the capabilities required for the NextGen of the family to assume leadership and ownership responsibilities, and the common challenges faced and how to address them. The masterclass also outlines alternative exit options available to farm business owners.
A guest speaker who has recently undergone a transition event will share their journey, including tips for others when planning for this critical stage of the lifecycle of the business.
Building Strong Relationships with Customers through Unique Brand Stories, Communication, and Community Engagement
This masterclass introduces participants to three overarching topics related to cultivating and developing strong relationships with existing and new customers. This includes identifying unique and distinctive brand stories, understanding how to effectively communicate and share those stories, and how to identify and facilitate connections with potential customers through community engagement*.
The masterclass will begin with a discussion on the importance of identifying and developing unique brand stories to share through effective storytelling practices. We will then cover different communication strategies and platforms available to share these stories with potential customers. Lastly, we will cover the importance of community engagement* to identify and connect with a new or existing portfolio of customers.
*The community engagement component can be tailored for each cohort through utilisation of guest speakers from each regional area.
Need help? Navigating the Landscape of Resources and Advice Available to Farm Businesses
Government at the local, state, and federal levels make a range of resources and advice available to farm business owners to assist them in managing and growing their farm business.
In addition, industry associations and private providers also provide assistance. The challenge is navigating this landscape of available resources and advice to find the help you need when you need it.
This masterclass provides a broad overview of the range of resources and advice available to farm business owners. The masterclass will also offer valuable strategies for cutting through the complexity to find and access the resources and assistance you need when you need it.
Adopting Technology to Enable Business Transformation
Adoption of technology can mean many things to Agricultural businesses, from building a functional website and using cloud-based accounting right through to deep AgTech solutions such as automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and blockchain technology.
Whatever the size of the business, or where it sits in the agricultural supply chain, for successful digital adoption in the ag sector, business owners need to understand how technology can impact their business and how to leverage it for success.
This masterclass will assist you to assess your business and support its growth by identifying specific technology interventions which will enable progress.
Striking the Right Balance: The Importance of Work-Life Balance and Engaging in Self-Care
In our new world of continuous disruption, high expectation, and managing increasingly complex stakeholder groups, our ability to ‘bounce back’ has taken on a whole new meaning. Getting the balance right may not be easy and is influenced by many individual and workplace factors, yet it is essential for mental health and well-being.
Key topics covered concerning work-life balance include definition, importance, barriers and facilitators, and strategies to improve it. Additionally, this masterclass focuses on the value of engaging in self-care.
Participants will leave understanding the connection between work-life balance, self-care, and health and well-being, and with a personal self-care plan they can implement to aid in work-life balance and foster positive physical, emotional and social health.
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In-Depth AWRI Sessions: Spend two consecutive days with the Australian Wine Research Institute, where region-specific topics are discussed in an intensive, practical course to build regional resilience.
The course is aimed at practising viticulturists wishing to build capacity, reduce vulnerabilities and promote financially and environmentally sustainable practices in their businesses. Participants will visit local vineyards each day and a dinner will take place in between the 2 days. The sessions will be tailored for each region and may include a range of topics including but not limited to: |
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Take a moment to tune in to our conversation below, in which CEO Lisa Bennier discusses the GrowStrong program alongside Dr. Mardi Longbottom and Robyn Dixon from the Australian Wine Research Institute. |
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Tools, techniques and practices to increase water use efficiency
This session will consist of a mix of presentations and case studies from the region, with participants given plenty of opportunities to ask questions and discuss topics relevant to their region where possible.
Session content will be tailored to each region to ensure that specific challenges/intricacies of each region are addressed (e.g., water availability, water quality, production targets, water sources, key varieties etc.).
Alternate varieties for a warming climate (Including a tasting with a regional winemaker)
Australia’s wine industry is already feeling the effects of climate change. Summers are becoming steadily hotter and drier, leading to changes in vine phenology, with grapes ripening earlier and over a shorter period. This can result in vintage compression and grapes being harvested at increasingly high sugar levels. In the longer term, we may start to see changes in the suitability of traditional wine-grape varieties in some regions.
This session will begin with a presentation on the specific climate change projections for the region. From here, we will look at potential varieties that may be suited to the projected climate and the specific attributes of these varieties that influence their suitability.
The session will finish with a tasting of a selection of alternative varieties for the region to consider.
Soil health and covercrops
This session will focus on the importance of building soil health to improve vineyard resilience. Practices to build soil carbon and improve soil structure, water infiltration rates, and soil fertility will be discussed. Participants will be provided with an overview of a range of options for non-chemical weed control, including the use of undervine cover crops, mulch and mechanical weeding to reduce herbicide use and improve yield and soil quality.
This session will consist of a mix of presentations and case studies with participants and given plenty of opportunity to ask questions and discuss topics relevant to their region. Where possible this session will be tailored to each region to ensure specific challenges/intricacies of each region are addressed (e.g., soil type, climate, key soil quality issues, water quality, production targets, water sources, key varieties, key weed etc.).
Pest and disease management
In this session, we cover the life cycle and the interventions to aid control including cultural practices and chemical applications for each of the key diseases and pests. We provide an update on the regulatory environment and how it impacts access to chemicals and explain why chemical solutions are not fixed.
Carbon neutrality and energy usage in the vineyard
Australia’s wine industry is already feeling the effects of climate change, with our weather becoming increasingly variable. There are two responses to climate change, adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation is dealing with the effects of climate change and mitigation is taking action to reduce the emissions that cause climate change.
This session will take an in-depth look at the climate change projections for each region and the impacts on grape and wine production. It will then discuss carbon accounting in vineyards and the challenges and opportunities associated with the Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund.
Participants will then be led through a series of presentations discussing strategies for vineyards to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and/or adapt to climate change.
Tools for weather monitoring and a better prediction of extreme events
Australia’s wine industry is already feeling the effects of climate change, with our weather becoming increasingly variable. In this session, participants will be provided with information about new climate forecasting products developed for the wine industry. The products include forecasts of the chances of the driest or wettest, coldest, and warmest two deciles, presented in a range of maps and location-based charts and graphs. Participants will also be provided with guidance on how to use these and other forecasts to improve user confidence.
Resting, top-working and pruning for crop management
With the current oversupply scenario affecting most grape-growing regions in Australia, growers across Australia are wondering what they can do to manage their crop.
This session will involve a series of presentations followed by a facilitated discussion session with participants.
Topics covered will include:
- Irrigation system design
- Irrigation system monitoring and maintenance
- Irrigation scheduling tools
This session will consist of a mix of presentations and case studies from the region, with participants given plenty of opportunities to ask questions and discuss topics relevant to their region where possible.
Session content will be tailored to each region to ensure that specific challenges/intricacies of each region are addressed (e.g., water availability, water quality, production targets, water sources, key varieties etc.).
Alternate varieties for a warming climate (Including a tasting with a regional winemaker)
Australia’s wine industry is already feeling the effects of climate change. Summers are becoming steadily hotter and drier, leading to changes in vine phenology, with grapes ripening earlier and over a shorter period. This can result in vintage compression and grapes being harvested at increasingly high sugar levels. In the longer term, we may start to see changes in the suitability of traditional wine-grape varieties in some regions.
This session will begin with a presentation on the specific climate change projections for the region. From here, we will look at potential varieties that may be suited to the projected climate and the specific attributes of these varieties that influence their suitability.
The session will finish with a tasting of a selection of alternative varieties for the region to consider.
Soil health and covercrops
- What is soil health, why is it important, and how do we improve it?
- What is soil carbon, why is it important, and how do we increase it?
- Covercrops – benefits, uses, establishment and maintenance.
- Tools and techniques for non-chemical weed control
This session will focus on the importance of building soil health to improve vineyard resilience. Practices to build soil carbon and improve soil structure, water infiltration rates, and soil fertility will be discussed. Participants will be provided with an overview of a range of options for non-chemical weed control, including the use of undervine cover crops, mulch and mechanical weeding to reduce herbicide use and improve yield and soil quality.
This session will consist of a mix of presentations and case studies with participants and given plenty of opportunity to ask questions and discuss topics relevant to their region. Where possible this session will be tailored to each region to ensure specific challenges/intricacies of each region are addressed (e.g., soil type, climate, key soil quality issues, water quality, production targets, water sources, key varieties, key weed etc.).
Pest and disease management
- Evaluate: Powdery, Downy and Botrytis and pests LBAM and Mealybug/Scale.
- Understanding regulatory trade barriers.
In this session, we cover the life cycle and the interventions to aid control including cultural practices and chemical applications for each of the key diseases and pests. We provide an update on the regulatory environment and how it impacts access to chemicals and explain why chemical solutions are not fixed.
Carbon neutrality and energy usage in the vineyard
- Carbon accounting and an introduction to the Emissions Reduction Fund
- New technology to improve energy efficiency and reduce vineyard greenhouse gas emissions.
- Practice change to reduce vineyard greenhouse gas emissions.
- Practices to increase nitrogen use efficiency and reduce vineyard greenhouse gas emissions.
Australia’s wine industry is already feeling the effects of climate change, with our weather becoming increasingly variable. There are two responses to climate change, adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation is dealing with the effects of climate change and mitigation is taking action to reduce the emissions that cause climate change.
This session will take an in-depth look at the climate change projections for each region and the impacts on grape and wine production. It will then discuss carbon accounting in vineyards and the challenges and opportunities associated with the Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund.
Participants will then be led through a series of presentations discussing strategies for vineyards to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and/or adapt to climate change.
Tools for weather monitoring and a better prediction of extreme events
Australia’s wine industry is already feeling the effects of climate change, with our weather becoming increasingly variable. In this session, participants will be provided with information about new climate forecasting products developed for the wine industry. The products include forecasts of the chances of the driest or wettest, coldest, and warmest two deciles, presented in a range of maps and location-based charts and graphs. Participants will also be provided with guidance on how to use these and other forecasts to improve user confidence.
Resting, top-working and pruning for crop management
With the current oversupply scenario affecting most grape-growing regions in Australia, growers across Australia are wondering what they can do to manage their crop.
This session will involve a series of presentations followed by a facilitated discussion session with participants.
Topics covered will include:
- Management options available to rest vineyards - learnings from the 2023 season.
- Heavy pruning
- Irrigation
- Crop removal with Growth regulators or Calcium Nitrate
- Considerations with resting vineyards
- Pest and disease
- Vine nutrition
- Scenario-based planning.
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Business Health Check: Benefit from three interactive sessions (2.5 to 3 hours each) by Rural Business Support at your premises, offering their unique “Kitchen Table Discussions” method for planning, coaching and growth.
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Take a moment to tune in to our conversation below, in which CEO Lisa Bennier discusses the GrowStrong program alongside Darren Keenan from Rural Business Support |
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Session 1- Initial Meeting includes Business Health Check / Challenges and Opportunities (approximately 3 hours)
The Business Health Check is completed in-person with the client/s, focusing on the following areas of business and personal circumstances:
Session 3- Business Planning. Plan-on-a-page (approximately 2.5 hours)
Plan-on-a page
The Plan-on-a-Page is designed to provide focus for clients. It gives them some short-term achievable goals (their own), that they can immediately begin to implement, both for the business and themselves (sometimes they are separate). The sense of achievement also provides confidence for the business owner to set the next set of goals, and so on. The process demonstrates how easy it is to complete business planning, follow-up with implementation strategies and then achieve the outcome – behavioral change that will support the business owner.
Ongoing telephone outreach
The Business Health Check is completed in-person with the client/s, focusing on the following areas of business and personal circumstances:
- Operations
- Financial Position
- Personal Development and Wellbeing
- Markets
- Challenges and Opportunities (across all areas of business and personal circumstances.
Session 3- Business Planning. Plan-on-a-page (approximately 2.5 hours)
Plan-on-a page
The Plan-on-a-Page is designed to provide focus for clients. It gives them some short-term achievable goals (their own), that they can immediately begin to implement, both for the business and themselves (sometimes they are separate). The sense of achievement also provides confidence for the business owner to set the next set of goals, and so on. The process demonstrates how easy it is to complete business planning, follow-up with implementation strategies and then achieve the outcome – behavioral change that will support the business owner.
Ongoing telephone outreach
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Dedicated Mentors: Family and Business (FaB) mentors will be available throughout the program.
As part of the GrowStrong program FaB mentors will guide participants through the evaluation process at the beginning and the end of the program. Participants will be assigned a FaB mentor who will complete an independent review of the business plan to ensure that it and the program have achieved the intended outcomes (as required by the funding organisation). |
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Take a moment to tune in to our conversation below, in which CEO Lisa Bennier discusses the GrowStrong program alongside Trudie Stanley from the PIRSA initiated FaB Mentor service (Family and Business Support) |
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The PIRSA initiated FaB Mentor service has been established to support SA farmers and rural communities during challenging times, such as drought, severe floods or storms, fruit fly outbreaks, bushfire events or other adversities.
FaB Mentors are experienced individuals that will listen and help you find ways to manage your situation. Mentors liaise with government and non-government service providers and can help you provide connections to services including:
FaB Mentors are experienced individuals that will listen and help you find ways to manage your situation. Mentors liaise with government and non-government service providers and can help you provide connections to services including:
- Funding and support measures available to primary producers
- Financial counselling
- Local health networks
- Emotional wellbeing and counselling services
- Government and non-government assistance
- Community organisations and assistance
This program is supported by the Wine Grape Council of South Australia, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund and the
Government of South Australia.
Government of South Australia.
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Program Partners
