MidCoast Council

Agritourism Product Development and Mentoring Program - Round 2 Applications Open

Develop your next agritourism experience with tailored one-on-one mentoring

A woman gently holds a young Highland calf on a lead in a grassy paddock beneath a large tree, capturing a peaceful farm and agritourism experience.

Image credit - Koolah Creek Highlands.

Following the success of Round 1, MidCoast Council is inviting Expressions of Interest for Round 2 of the Agritourism Product Development and Mentoring Program.

The Program supports local primary producers to develop, expand or refine agritourism experiences that celebrate our region's farms, produce and people.

Agritourism connects visitors with authentic agricultural experiences while creating new opportunities for primary producers to diversify their business and generate additional income. The Barrington Coast region is home to exceptional produce and farming stories, and this Program aims to transform more of these into memorable visitor experiences.

Whether you're developing a new farm experience, expanding an existing offering or refining a concept for the Barrington Coast Bounty event in March 2027, this mentoring program will provide practical support tailored to your business.

The Program is provided free of charge by MidCoast Council.

Expressions of Interest close Friday 28 August 2026.

Submit your application

Frequently asked questions

  • The Program is open to commercial primary producers operating within the MidCoast Local Government Area who are looking to develop, expand or refine an agritourism experience on their farm.

    Whether you're just starting your agritourism journey or already welcoming visitors and looking to strengthen your offering, you're encouraged to apply.

    Please note that businesses who participated in Round 1 of the Agritourism Product Development and Mentoring Program are not eligible to apply for Round 2.

  • Successful applicants will receive personalised mentoring from agritourism specialists at Sparrowly Group, supported by MidCoast Council's Tourism Industry Development team.

    Mentoring is tailored to each business and delivered over several months through a combination of online meetings, practical resources and an on-farm site visit.

    Participants interested in developing or refining experiences for the Barrington Coast Bounty event can also be supported as part of their mentoring journey.

  • Your mentor will work alongside you to develop or refine an agritourism experience that aligns with your business goals.

    Depending on your needs, mentoring may cover experience design and delivery, visitor readiness, pricing and cash flow management, business planning, marketing, branding, implementation planning and customer experience.

    Participants are expected to actively engage in the Program, attend scheduled mentoring sessions and complete agreed actions between meetings to get the most value from the experience (approx two hours per week).

  • The mentoring program will be delivered between September 2026 and March 2027, allowing participants time to develop and implement their ideas with ongoing support throughout the journey.

  • No. The mentoring program is open to any eligible primary producer looking to develop or strengthen their agritourism experience.

If you have any questions regarding the Expression of Interest, please contact Madeline Hale (Tourism Industry Development Officer) at madeline.hale@midcoast.nsw.gov.au

Logo for MidCoast Council.

Hear from previous program participants

  • As a small, family-run permaculture farm, our focus has been on creating meaningful, immersive experiences that connect people to food, nature, and sustainability. Translating that into a visitor-ready, bookable product, however, has required expert guidance and that’s where Sparrowly Group came in. Their support has helped us get clear on the fundamentals: shaping our story, identifying what makes our offering unique, and understanding the operational side of agritourism. They provided practical tools and advice to help us review and refine our farm tour experience. Their input has been a turning point in giving us the confidence and direction to do so properly. What stands out most about Sparrowly Group is their genuine interest in small operators like us. They listen. They ask the right questions. They don’t just hand out templates, they help you build from your strengths. Their mentorship has been professional, grounded, and personal all at once.

  • I am so grateful for Sparrowly Group’s help, they have put me back on track which I am truly grateful for. My mentor’s guidance, advice, patience and understanding of marketing is second to none. They took time to check what I needed so I could get back into the marketing game to rebuild my farmstay accommodation. My mentor was so mindful of making sure I was comfortable with the changes that needed to be applied. They were always reachable right from the start whether emails, phone calls or zooms. My mentor delivered on actions straight away with attention to detail to answer my questions and they were always easy to understand and sent in an email so I would have it on record for backup reference. The guidance over the last six months has been amazing, thank you. I’m looking forward to seeing where this new journey takes me.