Name: Rhiannon Sandford
Location: Molesworth, VIC
Course(s) Studied: Diploma of Agriculture
I applied to RuralBiz Training for a scholarship to complete my Diploma of Agriculture so I could build the skills and confidence needed to take our farm business forward. My husband and I produce Angus weaners in Molesworth, Victoria. I am deeply grateful for the support and the opportunity to complete this formal qualification.
The Diploma of Agriculture was excellent. It covers all aspects of running a farm business, including production and financial planning, work health and safety, environmental policy, and mapping and planning on farm assets such as soils, vegetation and infrastructure. The course is well paced and practical, and the Ag Forums offer valuable opportunities to connect with and learn from other farmers. What stood out most was how immediately relevant the learning was – I was able to apply new skills directly to our own business as I studied.
In 2024, we bought our first farm before which we leased land to run our cows. Through my studies, I had clear business and production plans and cash flow forecasts prepared for our loan application, which gave me the confidence to clearly explain our vision to the bank and demonstrate why our business was a sound investment. We used my Livestock Breeding Plan to guide bull selection based on EBVs, and the drought management plan I developed through the Climate Risk Management Strategies Unit helped us make early and clear decisions to prevent critical feed and water shortages in autumn 2025. More recently, the skills I gained through the farm planning unit are being used to re plan our farm following the January 2026 bushfire, which destroyed all of our fences and shed infrastructure.
Thank you RuralBiz Training for this opportunity. I strongly encourage anyone considering formal study, or wanting to strengthen their farm business skills, to explore RuralBiz Training courses. They are practical, relevant, and flexible enough to fit around the realities of farm work and life.