Following a nationwide drought in 1982, the Australian government instituted the National Property Management Planning program to build skills in the rural community to better manage the farm business, including the need to manage change. In Victoria, the program is delivered through the Farm$mart project. Farm$mart is: learner centered; involves farm families; works with groups that stay together for some time; is led by facilitators dedicated to the project; focuses on the strategic part of the farm family business plan; uses existing providers to undertake skill training; develops effective communication and builds trust within families and groups; builds participant confidence to make hard decisions; and links with other learning experiences and outcomes. Managed by the Victorian Farmers Federation and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Farm$mart is delivered on a regional basis and is assisted in each region by steering committees who represent the farming community and include people with skills in adult education and extension. The project consists of an introduction and three workshops. These workshops help farm families agree on a vision for their future and develop an understanding of the planning process; focus on learning and using tools to develop the business plan and on building trust among members; and allow farm families to experience the practical nature of business plans through six meetings per year on member properties and an annual review. (Contains 15 references.) (TD)