If you’re a sheep producer or mixed farmer in Western Australia, chances are you’ve heard about the Farm Business Transition Grant, part of the Australian Government’s Live Sheep Export Phase Out Support Package.
During CRISP Wireless’ webinar Connecting Sheep Farmers, Karen McFarland from Whitney Consulting shared proven strategies to help farmers write, structure and present a successful farm grant application. Her biggest message: your story matters.
“I'm going to talk to you about Criterion 1, which is the impact of the phase out on your business,” she said. “Now, this one is worth 50 percent of the assessment … it’s your first opportunity to actually talk about who you are and set the scene … it gives you the opportunity to really capture the assessor's attention.”
When applying for farm grants or agricultural funding in Australia, clear communication matters more than polished language.
“Do not feel as if you have to use fancy language or big words … you just need to clearly tell the story of how this change is going to impact you.”
Grant assessors want to hear your real story, in your words. Whether you’re a Wheatbelt sheep producer, a mixed livestock and grain farmer, or an exporter impacted by policy change, plain English is your best tool.
“They’re not expecting you to write like a consultant,” Karen said. “They want to understand your business, your challenges and what this phase out means for you.”
While emotion connects, evidence convinces. Karen said the strongest Farm Business Transition Grant applications combine facts, figures and personal experience.
“Tell them about your reliance on live export … give them examples like how many years you’ve been exporting, what it meant to your business, how many local people you were able to employ … this first bit’s about background, it’s telling them the story but telling them the story with the data you have.”
If you’ve lost key markets, reduced flock size, or changed management practices, include that information. Use statistics to quantify your impact, it helps assessors understand the scale of your challenge and the value of your proposed project.
Grant writing isn’t just about spreadsheets, it’s about people. Karen reminded attendees that assessors often don’t live in regional WA and may not fully understand the ripple effects of the live sheep export phase out.
“This isn’t just about the money, this is also about the impact on people, on your regional area … they’re all important stories to tell because they’re all about the impact.” “They don’t know your town or your industry like you do,” she said. “Bring that to life for them, tell them what’s changing, who it affects and why it matters.”
Talk about your staff, your family, your contractors and your community. If your farm supports local shearing teams, feed suppliers, or transport businesses, include those details. It helps assessors connect your story to the wider economy.
Farmers know their operations better than anyone else, and that’s your biggest advantage when applying for grants.
“You know your business better than anyone,” Karen said. “If you can explain how this change is going to impact you and what you plan to do about it, you’re already well on your way.”
Even if you’re not a confident writer, your experience, local knowledge and lived impact make your application powerful. Focus on your strengths, what you’ve built, what’s changing and where you want to go next.
The live sheep export phase out is one of the most significant transitions in modern Australian agriculture. CRISP Wireless is proud to support regional Western Australia not just through reliable connectivity, but through sharing knowledge, technology and opportunity.
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