Grants and interest-free loans up to $500,000 to support Australian farmers in transitioning from conventional to organic farming or to boost current organic farming production.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
- An overview of the Woolworths Organic Growth Fund (WOGF)
- Every detail you will need to know
- Resources and help to get the grant
What is the Woolworths Organic Growth Fund (WOGF)?
The Woolworths Organic Growth Fund (WOGF) supports conventional and organic fruit and vegetable growers to transition to organic farming or boost their existing organic production.
The fund invests in organic farming projects by eligible Australian farmers in the form of interest-free loans or financial grants, which can be used to finance the purchase of organic farming assets and infrastructure and investment in new technology, research and development and other organic farming initiatives and activities.
Interest-free loans are offered to existing organic operations for land acquisition, new varieties, new facilities and equipment, as well as to eligible Australian farmers who are ready to convert their conventional operations to organic production. Loans are issued by Heritage Bank on Woolworths behalf.
Financial grants are available for proposed projects with a higher risk profile or with longer payback, such as R&D or innovative organic fruit and vegetable production methods designed to boost supply in the medium to long term.
WOGF level of support
Grant/interest-free loan
- Up to $500,000
Co-contribution
- None required
Funding should be conditional on a successful applicant entering into a supply agreement with Woolworths, which will be mutually agreed and may include exclusive supply terms.
WOGF important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
WOGF important details that you will need to know
WOGF objective
The fund has been established by Woolworths to support investment in organic farming projects by Australian farmers.
Organisations eligible for WOGF support
An applicant must be a person who:
- has a registered ABN or ACN for companies
- has traded for a minimum of two years
- has provided Woolworths with financial statements for the two immediately preceding financial years
- has demonstrated to Woolworths that it has the commercial and technical expertise and the financial capacity to deliver the organic farming initiative or project for which funding is sought
- operates a farm within in Australia
- if the applicant is a natural person, is resident in Australia; and
- if the applicant is a company, is incorporated in Australia or, if not incorporated in Australia, carries on business in Australia and has either its central management and control in Australia or its voting power controlled by shareholders who are residents of Australia
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they can finance any project costs that exceed the funding provided by the WOGF.
See the fund website, including FAQs, and terms and conditions for full details of eligible applicants.
Projects eligible for WOGF support
Funding is available for organic fruit and vegetable farming projects.
Activities and expenditure eligible for WOGF support
Funding can only be used to invest in organic farming research and development and any capital expenditure necessary to commence organic farming operations or expand existing organic farming operations.
All funds must be used in connection with:
- the purchase of agricultural land for the purpose of organic farming
- the purchase or development of agricultural equipment and agricultural infrastructure to be used in connection with organic farming; or
- organic farming research and development activities
Funding cannot be used for operational expenses including rent, utilities, marketing or remuneration for existing staff. It cannot be used for expenses incurred prior to any funding approval.
See the fund website, including FAQs, and terms and conditions for full details of eligible activities and expenditure.
Information to prepare for the WOGF application
The following documents must be attached to the application:
- Funding declaration from external accountant on the accountant’s company letterhead confirming ability to fund applicant’s share of project cost and solvency
- Resumes of key personnel – maximum two pages each
- Copy of statutory approvals received for planning or building (if applicable)
- The applicant’s two most recent financial statements (including balance sheet, profit and loss, and cash flow statement
- Evidence of loan approval (if applicable)
- Credit check form
Applicants may be required to provide detailed responses to some or all of the following questions during the application process:
- What is the purpose or project for which the applicant requires a WOGF Grant or WOGF Loan (eg. development of new organic product)?
- How will the applicant spend any funding it receives under a WOGF Grant or WOGF Loan?
- What business debts does the applicant have and who are the applicant’s existing creditors?
- Who are the members of the applicant’s management team?
- If the applicant is a company, who are the applicant’s directors?
- If the applicant is a trust, who are the beneficiaries of the trust?
- Is the applicant’s organics investment proposal market-ready?
See the application form for full details of information requirements.
Applying for WOGF
Applications are submitted via the fund website.
Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to increase your chances of success.
WOGF assessment process
Woolworths will undertake a preliminary evaluation of each valid application and will shortlist applications for further review. Woolworths will send an email notification to each shortlisted applicant, who may be requested to attend meetings to discuss issues and/or present a business case in relation to their application.
See the fund terms and conditions for full details of the shortlisting and evaluation process.
WOGF resources
Scroll down for a sample of successful applicants in recent rounds.
How do I get WOGF?
You should read and understand the guidelines.
You need to ensure you are eligible for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.
Successful applicants will demonstrate:
- an organic fruit and vegetable farming project that supports a transition from conventional to organic farming or a boost to existing organic production
- a sound project plan that identifies key activities/milestones and the expected economic benefits
- appropriate market research and analysis that establishes demand and identifies any risk to planned produce supply
- the need for funding and its impact on the project’s timing and scale
- the commercial and technical expertise and the financial capacity to deliver the project
Sample successful applicants in recent rounds
| Business/location | Project/activity | Funding |
| Round 6 | ||
| Peninsula Fresh Organics, Baxter, Vic | New harvesting equipment to expand farming operations | $500,000 |
| Cantrill Organics, Nashdale, NSW | State-of-the-art all-weather cover to protect the crop from rain, hail and in some cases birds, to help ensure a full, consistent crop of organic cherries every year | $500,000 |
| Round 5 | ||
| Gurra Downs Date Company, Gurra Gurra, SA | Power upgrade to the packhouse along with the installation of equipment to help wash, dry, grade and sort the fruit, which will efficiently handle and value-add fruit | $414,000 |
| Butler Market Gardens, Heatherton, Vic | Installation and upgrade of irrigation system to double organic production and use water more efficiently | $500,000 |
| Round 4 | ||
| Red Plateau Organic Produce, Mooral Creek, NSW | Assistance for bushfire recovery and water security | $500,000 |
| Bon Accord Organic Citrus, Gayndah, Qld | Equipment such as sprayers to expand and improve product quality | $350,000 |
I need help applying for grants
Our Insights showcase some of the grant-winning methods we employ at GrantHelper, and they will help you create a stronger grant application. But no matter how well prepared you are, winning grants takes time—something we know many business owners and directors just don’t have. And that’s why we’re here to help.
- Check out our How to Prepare Before You Apply insight to help you reduce the stress levels when you apply for a grant.
- Check out How to write a successful grant application to learn some time-saving tips to make the grant writing process easier.
GrantHelper can assist with your organisation’s next grant application, no matter what stage of the funding journey you’re at.
Our in-depth eBook is the single most valuable resource you will find that helps organisations to truly understand how to win government grants.
Download our eBook to discover grant-winning secrets
Our free eBook features 10 chapters of expert advice, professional tips and more to help you do better with grants, whether you’re new to the process or you’ve applied before.
Get your copy of the Guide to Winning Grants now.
Is your business eligible for this government grant?
Or perhaps you’re not sure and want to know more?
GrantHelper offers a range of government grant services, helping businesses of all sizes to discover, apply for, and win the best grant opportunities. We can help you with anything from finding the right grants, to writing your application, formulating an ongoing grant strategy, and more.
Get started now by filling in the form below, or tap the ‘Book a Discovery Call’ button to schedule a no-obligation virtual meeting with an experienced government grants consultant.
Prefer to talk? Call 0409 478 850 now for a no-obligation discussion. We’re here to help your business better understand grants, submit your best possible application, and get you in the winners’ circle.
Check out some of the clients we’ve helped and what they had to say about us.
