Sprout Tasmania

31/08/2026

It’s times like this that put the fire in our belly, to be the change our farmers need, and be their collective voice!

Our CEO Jen Robinson has spoken to ABC News Tas reporters today, discussing the news that Woolworths is pulling Tassie beef from their shelves as of 2027!

The things is, we aren’t surprised, and we are sure the rest of you aren’t either. Our food system is dominated by large corporations that wield their power, and put profits before people. The system needs to change, drastically. We’ve known this for a long time, and it seems that it is times like this (or pandemics) to give everyone that shoulder shake moment, that makes you really think about your food, where it comes from, and how likely is it to be available even in times of pressure. Access to healthy, nutritious food is a human right, and every Tasmanian deserves to have that option, not just the tourists that visit our state.

So what are we going to do about it?

Collectively as a community, including the Government…how can we be the change that is needed to enable two things:

1) farmers having control of their product, their price and their processing
2) every Tasmanian having access to nutritious, local, Tasmanian produce

Sprout (alongside other amazing organisations like STAMP) has been working with the State Government, attempting to collaborate, to work together to see regulatory environments improved so farmers can have options when it comes to processing their livestock, but not enough has been done to date.

We are scheduling another meeting with Minister Gavin Pearce.

Ask yourself, and let us know: what can you do to play a part in the change that’s needed?

14/08/2026

Bird flu has been detected in Tasmania, please activate your response plans.

Tasmania has been preparing for the arrival of H5 bird flu for many months and response plans have been activated.

A wild brown skua at Rocky Cape National Park in North-West Tasmania has tested positive for H5 bird flu.

The bird was identified through our surveillance strategy by Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service staff.

There has been no detection in domestic or commercial poultry.

✅ Chicken meat and eggs remain safe to eat when handled and cooked properly.

Tasmanians are urged to remain vigilant.

If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife:
✅ Avoid contact
✅ Record what you see
✅ Report any sightings to the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888
✅ Check current advice at: nre.tas.gov.au/BirdFlu

13/08/2026

❗️Be aware of H5 bird flu- first Tasmanian detection in a wild bird in Rocky Cape.

Sprout is attending a stakeholder briefing this evening, so will be able to share more.

We knew this day would come, so we know all our farmers have already been thinking about the risk mitigation strategies that will be appropriate based on how this evolves.

Keep in touch with us, if there is anything we can do to support you, let us know.

In the meantime, it’s not time for panic, it’s time for vigilance:

✅Check your flock regularly for any signs of ill health
✅Maintain your usual biosecurity measures on farm
✅Make sure wild birds cannot access the same food and water supply as your birds
✅Don’t use water from sources wild birds also use
✅Keep your infrastructure and equipment clean.
✅Wash your hands after handling birds and equipment.
✅Review your plans for what you will do in the event of an outbreak (which hasn’t happened at this stage).
✅Report any suspected cases to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline via 1800 675 888

More information on the Biosecurity Tasmania website

https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/animal-health/poultry-and-pigeons/bird-flu

07/08/2026

Meet Blaire, the passionate green thumb nurturing the fruit and veggie garden at Government House!

Starting out in ornamentals with his own gardening business, Blaire expanded his expertise with a Diploma of Sustainable Living and a Cert III in Horticulture. Late last year in the peak of the growing season, he took on a whole new adventure: managing the massive kitchen garden at Government House. Blaire has quickly learned that running a large kitchen garden is as challenging as it is rewarding, and that radishes and beets make the best pop sound as they’re plucked from the ground.🥕

Through the Sprout Producer Program, Blaire is connecting with our extensive network of Tasmanian food producers and honing his techniques to boost efficiency and promote sustainable, ethical food production.

🌱Read Blaires full profile and learn more about the Sprout Producer Program on our website https://www.sprout.org.au/for-producers/sprout-producer-program

23/07/2026

📣Calling all horticulture producers - come together Mon 27th to have your say about the Phase 2 DRAFT Horticulture regulations in Tasmania.

📆Online session - Monday 27th @6.00pm.

Join us for a group discussion about the draft regulations. This is your chance to have your voice heard, and hear from other producers too. We LOVE that so many of you have been diving into this, sharing your thoughts online, taking the time to explain this to others. We now want to come together to align our ask, and then put this forward to the State Government.

Link here for registration.
https://events.humanitix.com/sprout-hangout-have-your-say-horticulture-regulations

BACKGROUND

The Tasmanian Government has released the Phase 2 draft horticulture food safety regulations, outlining how new national food safety standards for leafy vegetables, berries, melons and seed sprouts could be implemented in Tasmania.

Importantly, these regulations are still in draft form and have not yet been finalised. This consultation period is an opportunity for growers to understand the proposed changes, ask questions, and provide feedback that can help shape the final regulations.

Join Sprout Tasmania for an online information session where we'll unpack the draft regulations, explain what has changed since the first round of consultation, discuss the potential impacts for small-scale and diversified growers, and hear directly from producers. Your feedback will help inform Sprout's ongoing advocacy to ensure the final regulations are practical, proportionate and fit for Tasmania's diverse horticulture sector.

20/07/2026

Time to shine the Sprout Producer Program spotlight on Gatenbys Grove. With family health and community nourishment at the heart of everything they do, Jeramie and Liz are developing a farming enterprise that nurtures the body and soothes the soul. Set amongst coastal forest and native pasture in Gravelly Beach, Gatenby's Grove seek to extend their provision of biologically produced poultry and aquaponicly enriched vegetables to their surrounding community. 🥕🐓🐟

🌱Read their full farmer profile and learn more about the Sprout Producer Program on our website:
https://www.sprout.org.au/for-producers/sprout-producer-program

17/07/2026

📣Our first event in our Shared Ground series! July 24th in Sandfly with Jodi Roebuck from NZ.

Jodi Roebuck, from Roebuck farm in Taranaki NZ, is coming to Tasmania! Jodi is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with others, as he believes that every farmer should be able to have a stable financial income from their enterprise, to form the foundation of a robust local food system.

Jodi will run 4 intensive sessions covering:

🌱Market Gardening - fast crops & consignment tips

🌱Regen grazing - low stress stock handling

🌱Agritourism - small scale

🌱Branding and Marketing - how to tell your story

There will be a 45min afternoon tea break between Sessions 2 & 3. Tickets are $12 for Sprout members, $18 for non-members.

Grab your ticket and come along - link here for tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/shared-ground-series-sandfly

Our afternoon tea is proudly sponsored by Cherry Arbor Co. , some local Tassie legends. 🙏

This event is part of Sprout's Quick Wins Grant activities, from the Future Drought Fund, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, as well as the Tasmanian Government.

25/06/2026

Organic, spray-free, organically grown, certified organic, biodynamic, free range, pastured, regenerative….there are a myriad of terms used to describe how food is grown - how do producers decide which approach is right for their farm?

📣TELL US - What term best describes your approach and why? We would love to hear from you, please share your perspective in the comments.

For some producers, formal certification provides valuable assurance and market access. While others are drawn to outcome verification frameworks monitoring improvements in soil health, biodiversity and ecosystem function. For many small-scale Tasmanian producers, trust is built in a different way. Through farmers markets, farm gate sales and direct relationships, customers often get to know the people behind their food and the values that shape how it is produced. In these settings, transparency, reputation and honest conversations can be just as important as third-party certification.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every farm has different goals, markets and values, and the right pathway will depend on what you are hoping to achieve.
Sprout Tasmania has been engaged by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania to develop resources that support farmers exploring biological production methods and market opportunities. We look forward to sharing these resources with our farming community in the future.

Read more about our projects https://www.sprout.org.au/transitions-to-biological-farming