Sponsored by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the award is part of Kondinin Group and ABC Rural’s Australian Farmer of the Year awards.

Whether it’s to fulfil a life-long ambition, to spread the financial risk or to educate others about primary production, many farmers across Australia are diversifying from their core business to include another type of enterprise.

RIRDC General Manager Ken Moore said that diversification is gaining in popularity in the farming community.

“It’s not any easy or risk-free decision to branch out from the business you know the best to add a whole new venture into the mix,” Mr Moore said.

“But a growing number of Australian farmers have taken the leap of faith and successfully combined farming with a variety of other business types such as hospitality, retail and eco-tourism.”

“RIRDC wants to acknowledge these farmers for their courage, innovation, and foresight and in the process find out what are the keys to a winning diversified business.”

“So, if you’re tending to crops Monday to Friday and serving coffee and cake on weekends or a tractor driver by trade but also have a fl air for tour guiding, we want to hear from you,” he said.

Finalists of the Diversification of the Year award will enjoy an all expenses paid trip to Sydney to attend the Australian Farmer the Year award ceremony as well as the chance to participate in Kondinin Group’s Farming Ahead 2010 conference.

The winner will receive formal industry acknowledgement with the chance to further showcase their business and provide inspiration to other farmers considering diversification.

Entrants in the Diversification Farmers of the Year award need to develop a short application demonstrating why they should be considered for the award.

To enter or for more information visit www.kondinin.com.au/events.