After a 12-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the country’s most progressive farmers will again be able to come together to learn the latest in farm business management with applications now open for the 2021 Rabobank Executive Development Program.
Running for over 20 years, the Executive Development Program (EDP) has had around 700 farmers go through its doors, to be armed with the latest strategic thinking and commercial management skills to help grow their business.
Developed for farm business owners or key decision makers, the residential program – held as two week-long modules conducted a year apart – covers topics including strategic planning, financial management, communication, governance, negotiation, global trends, innovation and managing risk.
Announcing the opening of applications for the 2021 program, Rabobank Australia CEO Peter Knoblanche said it was exciting to be returning to face-to-face learning as a significant benefit of the program stemmed from networking with other forward-thinking farmers as well as the lecturers.
“Farmers are selected to attend the course from a wide range of commodities and geographical regions, and it is this ability to talk openly and honestly with a group of like-minded farmers that adds so much to the program learnings,” he said.
“And this network extends way beyond the program, with alumni initiatives such as farm tours and study programs a way of re-connecting with those on the course and previous courses.”
Mr Knoblanche said with the current COVID-19 restrictions in place, this year’s program would be open to Australian farmers but New Zealand farmers would also be able to attend if border restrictions lifted and are encouraged to apply.
“We are hoping those from over the Tasman will be able to participate in the program as they bring so much diversity of thought and experience to the group,” he said.
Applications for the EDP close on Friday, April 30 with numbers limited to maintain group dynamics.
To be held in the Hawkesbury Valley, Sydney, module one will run from August 8 to 13, with the second module scheduled for July 2022.
For further information or to apply go to https://www.rabobank.com.au/agribusiness/business-management-programs/
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is a part of the global Rabobank Group, the world’s leading specialist in food and agribusiness banking. Rabobank has 120 years’ experience providing customised banking and finance solutions to businesses involved in all aspects of food and agribusiness. Rabobank is structured as a cooperative and operates in 38 countries, servicing the needs of approximately 8.4 million clients worldwide through a network of more than 1000 offices and branches. Rabobank Australia & New Zealand Group is one of Australasia’s leading agricultural lenders and a significant provider of business and corporate banking and financial services to the region’s food and agribusiness sector. The bank has 93 branches throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Denise Shaw
Head of Media Relations
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand
Phone: 02 8115 2744 or 0439 603 525
Email: denise.shaw@rabobank.com
Skye Ward
Media Relations Manager
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand
Phone: 0418 216 103
Email: skye.ward@rabobank.com