The very first Innovation Generation (IG) Local event, held in Moree on Thursday, was a huge success as young farmers and agribusiness professionals from around the region and beyond came together to connect, share ideas and hear from a diverse range of speakers about some of the big issues affecting the agricultural industry.
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About 60 people from as far as Tamworth in NSW and Gympie in QLD attended the half-day conference and networking dinner, which was hosted by Grain Growers and Future Farmers Network, in collaboration with the Moree Young Aggies, on Thursday, February 23.
“It was fantastic, both the day and night events were really well attended,” Future Farmers Network and Moree Young Aggies vice chair Megan Davies said.
“Grain Growers, Future Farmers Network and Moree Young Aggies were all thrilled with the turn-out.
“There was a great amount of discussion and the speakers were all very interesting, speaking on very different topics.”
While speakers covered topics on communication, mental health, farm solutions and various different agricultural commodities, technology was the recurring theme for the day, coming up in each presentation.
Fifth generation farmer at Yass and Sheepmeat Council of Australia’s Kathleen Allan raised some interesting points regarding the issues with communication about the agricultural industry and shared tips on ways farmers and professionals can positively communicate their business to others.
“We shouldn’t seek to educate people, we should let people engage with us and have a conversation,” she said.
“I challenge you to say we shouldn’t thank a farmer, we should thank a consumer for buying our product. It’s about informing their choices, you’re not about changing their mind, it’s about giving them information so they can make an informed choice.”
Mungindi farmer Andrew Earle spoke of the ways he, and a group of other farmers, found a more innovative way to store grain on-farm, making use of the nearby rail line to more efficiently get their grain to port.
Farm-Link project coodinator Fiona Livingstone gave a moving and powerful presentation about the importance of mental health, which Ms Davies said was particularly pertinent following the recent deaths of rugby union player Dan Vickerman and, closer to home, Goondiwindi’s Grant Carrigan.
“It was very powerful and really hit home,” Ms Davies said.
Finally, Jandowae, QLD farmer John Alexander spoke about the benefits of technology in agriculture.
“John Alexander was a really good advocate for technology but his message was don’t get wrapped up in technology; use it as long as it’s beneficial for your business,” Ms Davies said.
At the end of the conference there was also a panel discussion about finding solutions to local issues, with a focus on water, how everything in agriculture ties back to the community, and how farmers and government can better work together.
Following the conference, attendees enjoyed catching up and networking with each other at a dinner at Moree Services Club, which Ms Davies said was also very valuable.
Following the success of the IG Local pilot in Moree, Grain Growers and Future Farmers Network will now look at doing others at various regional locations around the country.
“It was great for Moree to be able to host the first one,” Ms Davies said.
“It’s a good thing for the town to say we’re important enough for some of the big industry groups to involve us.”
Ms Davies thanked all the sponsors of the event, for whom it wouldn’t have run without.