Farm Services Victoria (FSV)

The thinking behind our everyday essentials

Victoria’s leading rural service provider for government, supporting the sustainable development of Victoria’s natural resources through innovative services that influence private land managers, industries, communities and landscapes.

Abilities

Rural Project Management Farm Services Victoria (FSV) is Victoria’s largest rural service provider, with 800 staff located across the State, dedicated to growing sustainable agricultural businesses and local communities. As a Division of the Department of Primary Industries, we play a critical role in helping farmers implement new approaches to boost profitability, while preserving and protecting our natural resources and environment. Partnerships are critical to the work of FSV, and we collaborate with all tiers of government, farmers and other land managers, along with industries, Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare groups on a wide variety of rural programs and projects. Our experience and expertise in developing rural-based projects across a broad range of issues makes FSV Victoria’s leading rural partner. Understanding Rural Communities FSV employees live in the communities they service, and they have a genuine commitment to helping farmers and other landholders adopt new approaches to improving sustainable land and water management. By combining our strengths in social research and capacity building, FSV assists rural and regional industries and communities adapt to today’s constantly changing challenges and opportunities. FSV also employs five Community Relationship Managers who have strong relationships and networks with the agriculture and natural resource sectors, and local communities. Services Better Services to Farmers DPI will change how it develops and delivers services, so farmers receive better targeted, more accessible and relevant services that help them to be productive, competitive and sustainable. Read more about Better Services to Farmers. Agricultural Industry Development FSV provides a broad range of technical and support services to help Victoria’s agricultural producers develop their businesses, along the whole marketing chain. We collaborate with scientific, industry and social research organisations to help farmers boost their profitability and sustainability, and to succeed in emerging global markets. FSV delivers industry-wide projects such as: BestWool/BestLamb Topcrop Target 10 - Dairy Extension Centre, and the Regional Agribusiness Development. Land and Water Advice FSV provides a broad range of advisory and support programs to help Victoria’s land managers preserve and protect our natural resources and environment. Our expert staff work with a diverse range of agricultural communities to help them apply new knowledge and practices that improve water efficiency, protect the environment and create better wetlands and biodiversity management. FSV is collaborating with farmers in irrigated areas on ‘Whole Farm Planning’ initiatives to help them plan and implement new approaches that reduce water use, address salinity and nutrient issues, and help save operating costs. A growing focus is assisting the increasing number of ‘lifestyle’ farmers in Victoria to understand and manage their responsibilities in land and water resource protection. Biosecurity Services FSV helps safeguard Victoria from the environmental and health risks of introduced pests and diseases and is central to the growth of Victoria’s domestic and export agricultural industries. Supported by a strong policy and legislative base, and a network of highly trained technical staff, we work in consultation with stakeholders to ensure product quality and safety, and to identify and address threats to rural Victoria’s competitiveness and sustainability. FSV ensures that Victoria’s standards for chemical and pesticide use are implemented, and promotes their safe use on rural properties. We also play an important role in animal welfare issues. Invasive Plants and Animals Services FSV works with landholders in preventing and managing invasive plants and animals that threaten Victoria’s agricultural industries, natural environment and biodiversity. We assist private landowners and managers meet their responsibilities under the Catchment and Land Protection Act (1994), and will enforce compliance when necessary to protect our natural assets and environment. Landowners and communities can access a broad range of FSV services to prevent and monitor invasive plants and animals that threaten crops and animals and the State’s biodiversity. Emergency Response and Management FSV has a critical role in helping Victoria’s regional and rural communities prevent and respond to natural emergencies and disasters. With well established emergency management procedures in place, and strong links with other response and management organisations, we help communities deal with severe weather, fires and other emergencies. This includes providing immediate assistance, along with ongoing services that help in the recovery of farming businesses and communities, water catchment areas and other natural resources.