Vic Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said as part of the program, hundreds of rural and regional Victorians would have a chance to explore the challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector and regional communities.

"The Brumby Labor Government understands the importance of working with Victoria's agricultural communities and that is why we invested in AgFutures," Mr Helper said.

"Part of the Brumby Labor Government's $205 million Future Farming Strategy, AgFutures will help people make better informed decisions, improve their networks and be more aware of services available to them."

Mr Helper said in the program's first 18 months more than 1200 farmers and community members participated in more than 30 forums, workshops and field trips in 19 Victorian farming communities.

"These locally-driven forums have provided information on farm performance, population and land-use change, global markets, climate change, weather patterns and ways farmers are adapting to change," he said.

"This not only provides up to date information but generates discussion about what these issues mean for farm businesses and agricultural industries."

Programs will begin in Beaufort, Hopetoun and Joel Joel early in the new year with another 17 small farming communities benefiting from the program as it rolls out later in 2010 and 2011.

Further communities set to participate in the latest round of AgFutures include:

• Balliang/Anakie;
• Bonang/Bendoc,
• Boorhaman;
• Buffalo/Fish Creek;
• Donald/Charlton;
• Elmore/Rochester;
• Genoa/Wangarabell/Cann River;
• Labertouche/Jindivick/Neerim South;
• Serpentine/Bridgewater;
• Mitta/Tallangatta/Bethanga;
• Quambatook/Lalbert;
• Seymour;
• Steels Creek/Dixons Creek/Chum Creek;
• Swanpool;
• West Wimmera;
• Yaapeet/Kenmore/Rainbow; and
• Yarram/Hiawatha/Tarra Valley.