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Growing undercover with a QRIDA First Start Loan

See how Bowen horticulture growers, Luke and Jessica Volker were able to grow their organic vegetable business with a QRIDA First Start Loan.

Read or watch their story

2025 Queensland Rural Debt Survey now available

Read the full report to discover trends across major Queensland industries and regions, as well as changes in rural debt since the 2023 survey.

Find out more

The results are in!

See how QRIDA performed in our 2026 Client Satisfaction Survey and Program Owner Survey.

$5M funding reset for Drought Preparedness Grants

As of 1 July 2026, we are proud to announce the launch of a new funding cycle for the Queensland Government’s Drought Preparedness Grants Scheme.

Find out more

Disaster recovery grants and loans available for primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations

Find out more about the financial assistance available from QRIDA for the recent disaster events in Queensland

Learn more

Need help with your QRIDA disaster recovery application?

Book a personalised virtual QRIDA Connect session with a Disaster Support Officer at a time that suits you.

Find out how to book

Our team in regional Queensland, helping you

Find your local Regional Area Manager today.

Postcode search

“We used the First Start Loan to buy a second, larger property that we could grow more produce on and hopefully make our business viable in that area of land.” - Jessica Volker.

"Having a feedlot operation that’s fed by irrigation, it allows us to contain a lot of cattle in a small area to feed them, so we’re not putting so much grazing pressure on the property” - Brendon Curr

"Anybody who's thinking about getting ready for drought - look at QRIDA. They have amazing assistance and amazing people there to help you with any application and progress your business to be better prepared." - Stewart Conochie, fourth-generation dairy farmer

“We got the Drought Preparedness Grant to build a commodity shed. The shed was roughly $75,000; we got the concrete floor where we put the cotton seed and we do our own hay and silage." - Anthony Curtis, Charbray breeder

“There were crossings washed out, there was topsoil pushed off paddocks, there was trash over the top of cane. It was just a disaster; you didn’t even know where to start. That grant got us through to keep going." - Mathew Di Mauro, cane and watermelon grower

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Use the search bar or the quick links to access the information you need.

Quick links: View Grants or Rebates View Loans

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Programs and services for a range of areas and industries

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News and events for your region

Regional Area Manager, Tegan McBride standing in front of greenhouse

News

Updated 17 Sep 2026

‘Growing undercover’ with QRIDA

Queensland horticulture growers looking to strengthen productivity, improve resource efficiency, and build resilience may be able to access finance…

News

Updated 15 Sep 2026

Qld’s rural debt rises, but quality remains strong, according to survey

Queensland’s total rural debt has risen to $36.47 billion, up 17 per cent from $31.7 billion in 2023, according to the 2025 Queensland Rural Debt…

Jessica and Luke Volker standing in their greenhouse

Client story

Updated 09 Sep 2026

‘Growing undercover’ with a QRIDA First Start Loan

Bowen horticulture growers Luke and Jessica Volker have taken their farm business to new heights by making the bold decision to ‘grow undercover.’

News

Updated 01 Sep 2026

Prime Focus newsletter

Find out what we have been up to over Winter in the latest edition of the Prime Focus newsletter or subscribe to the Prime Focus newsletter.

Growing undercover with a QRIDA First Start Loan

See how Bowen horticulture growers, Luke and Jessica Volker were able to grow their organic vegetable business with a QRIDA First Start Loan.

2025 Queensland Rural Debt Survey now available

Read the full report to discover trends across major Queensland industries and regions, as well as changes in rural debt since the 2023 survey.

The results are in!

See how QRIDA performed in our 2026 Client Satisfaction Survey and Program Owner Survey.

$5M funding reset for Drought Preparedness Grants

As of 1 July 2026, we are proud to announce the launch of a new funding cycle for the Queensland Government’s Drought Preparedness Grants Scheme.

Disaster recovery grants and loans available for primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations

Find out more about the financial assistance available from QRIDA for the recent disaster events in Queensland

Need help with your QRIDA disaster recovery application?

Book a personalised virtual QRIDA Connect session with a Disaster Support Officer at a time that suits you.

Our team in regional Queensland, helping you

Find your local Regional Area Manager today.

“We used the First Start Loan to buy a second, larger property that we could grow more produce on and hopefully make our business viable in that area of land.” - Jessica Volker.

"Having a feedlot operation that’s fed by irrigation, it allows us to contain a lot of cattle in a small area to feed them, so we’re not putting so much grazing pressure on the property” - Brendon Curr

"Anybody who's thinking about getting ready for drought - look at QRIDA. They have amazing assistance and amazing people there to help you with any application and progress your business to be better prepared." - Stewart Conochie, fourth-generation dairy farmer

“We got the Drought Preparedness Grant to build a commodity shed. The shed was roughly $75,000; we got the concrete floor where we put the cotton seed and we do our own hay and silage." - Anthony Curtis, Charbray breeder

“There were crossings washed out, there was topsoil pushed off paddocks, there was trash over the top of cane. It was just a disaster; you didn’t even know where to start. That grant got us through to keep going." - Mathew Di Mauro, cane and watermelon grower

I know what I'm looking for

Use the search bar or the quick links to access the information you need.

Programs and services for a range of areas and industries

Sorry, we couldn't find what you are looking for.

We're doing more for Queensland

See some of our most recent milestones as of 1 September 2026.

202

$6.51 billion+

$1.27 billion+

289,624+

Get in touch

Have a question, need some help or would like more information?
We're here to help you.

News and events for your region

Like or follow QRIDA on socials

Acknowledgement of Country

Growing undercover with a QRIDA First Start Loan

See how Bowen horticulture growers, Luke and Jessica Volker were able to grow their organic vegetable business with a QRIDA First Start Loan.

2025 Queensland Rural Debt Survey now available

Read the full report to discover trends across major Queensland industries and regions, as well as changes in rural debt since the 2023 survey.

The results are in!

See how QRIDA performed in our 2026 Client Satisfaction Survey and Program Owner Survey.

$5M funding reset for Drought Preparedness Grants

As of 1 July 2026, we are proud to announce the launch of a new funding cycle for the Queensland Government’s Drought Preparedness Grants Scheme.

Disaster recovery grants and loans available for primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations

Find out more about the financial assistance available from QRIDA for the recent disaster events in Queensland

Need help with your QRIDA disaster recovery application?

Book a personalised virtual QRIDA Connect session with a Disaster Support Officer at a time that suits you.

Our team in regional Queensland, helping you

Find your local Regional Area Manager today.

“We used the First Start Loan to buy a second, larger property that we could grow more produce on and hopefully make our business viable in that area of land.” - Jessica Volker.

"Having a feedlot operation that’s fed by irrigation, it allows us to contain a lot of cattle in a small area to feed them, so we’re not putting so much grazing pressure on the property” - Brendon Curr

"Anybody who's thinking about getting ready for drought - look at QRIDA. They have amazing assistance and amazing people there to help you with any application and progress your business to be better prepared." - Stewart Conochie, fourth-generation dairy farmer

“We got the Drought Preparedness Grant to build a commodity shed. The shed was roughly $75,000; we got the concrete floor where we put the cotton seed and we do our own hay and silage." - Anthony Curtis, Charbray breeder

“There were crossings washed out, there was topsoil pushed off paddocks, there was trash over the top of cane. It was just a disaster; you didn’t even know where to start. That grant got us through to keep going." - Mathew Di Mauro, cane and watermelon grower

I know what I'm looking for

Use the search bar or the quick links to access the information you need.

Programs and services for a range of areas and industries

Sorry, we couldn't find what you are looking for.

We're doing more for Queensland

See some of our most recent milestones as of 1 September 2026.

202

$6.51 billion+

$1.27 billion+

289,624+

Get in touch

Have a question, need some help or would like more information?We're here to help you.

News and events for your region

Like or follow QRIDA on socials

Have a question, need some help or would like more information?
We're here to help you.