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Applications open for 2025 Rabobank Business Programs

Applications for the 2025 intake of Rabobank’s Business Management Programs, the Farm Managers Program (FMP) and the Executive Development Program (EDP), are now open.

Designed for farmers at various career stages, the two available programs, the Executive Development Program for farm business owners or senior managers and the Farm Managers Program for emerging farmers – aim to provide participants with the latest insights in business management.

Announcing the opening of applications for 2025, Rabobank regional manager Australia and New Zealand Mark Wiessing said more than 1400 primary producers from both sides of the Tasman had participated in the Business Management Programs across the past 25 years.

“The programs are incredibly valuable for primary producers as they allow the opportunity to take a step back from the day-to-day operational side of their businesses and spend time developing strategies to help ensure that their operations remain resilient into the future,” he said.

“The programs also provide participants with networking opportunities with like-minded primary producers from different sectors across the two countries and, in many cases, relationships started on the programs continue far beyond the completion of the course.

“Previous participants tell us these ongoing relationships are a key benefit of the course and we help to foster these via our regular Business Management Program alumni events across Australia and New Zealand.”

“And in this way, the bank also contributes to strengthening rural communities – with rural and regional communities benefiting from a financially-healthy local agricultural sector.”

Mr Wiessing said this year’s FMP program – for young and emerging farmers – will be run in Victoria’s Yarra Valley from June 15 to 20 this year.

“The FMP provides a forum for farmers from across a range of agricultural sectors to find out what is working for them in their farming roles,” he said.

“The program will help participants enhance their leadership and operational skills to prepare themselves for future management roles, and includes sessions on topics including communication and influencing skills, conflict management, sustainable farm business planning, financial management and managing people.”

Wiessing said the Executive Development Program, which runs as two one-week long residential modules approximately a year apart, will be held at Macquarie University in Sydney, with the first module running from August 24 to 29 this year and the second scheduled for late July 2026.

Applications for the FMP and EDP close on Monday, March 31. Further information and applications can be found on the Rabobank website.

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