Young Farmer Exchange
Shaping the future of agriculture: key insights from the Young Farmer Exchange
Agriculture is in a period of rapid transformation, and those working in the industry are being challenged to adapt faster than ever before.
At the Young Farmer Exchange, held at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, a panel of industry leaders and innovators unpacked what this change means for the next generation of farmers and agribusiness professionals. The session marked the first event as part of the relaunched Young Farmer Business Program, delivered under the Farm Business Resilience Program and jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the NSW Government and NSW Farmers.
Panellists included Becs Willson, Managing Director, Agricultural Fund, Proterra Investment Advisors Australia; Marni Williams, Project Manager and Secretary, CSIRO Ag2050; Jess Ryan, Chair, NSW Farmers Young Farmer Council; Jessica Fearnley, Chair, RAS Youth Group; and Oliver Groves, NSW Farmers Young Farmer Council. The session was moderated by Andrea Crothers from The Today Show.
A clear theme throughout the discussion was the pace of change. There is growing pressure on farm businesses to respond to evolving market demands, adopt new technologies and meet rising community expectations around sustainability and transparency. While this is adding complexity, it is also opening up new opportunities for farm businesses willing to adapt.
Jess Ryan from the NSW Farmers Young Farmer Council opened the panel with a strong tone-setter: “Ready or not, change is coming — and fast.”
She added, “Being a good farmer is no longer enough. The modern farm is a complex business. Agriculture in Australia is going to shift in big ways — from ownership and capital to production systems and expectations. Programs like the Young Farmer Business Program are critical in helping build the skills needed to run and grow those increasingly complex farm businesses.”
The discussion also highlighted the growing importance of data and decision-making in today’s modern farm, with Becs Willson from Proterra Investment Advisors Australia saying, “If you don’t get your head around data, you’ll be left behind. We’re all going to have to get smarter with how we use it on farm.”
The panel shared that success in this changing landscape will rely on more than just technical skills, with the ability to think strategically, stay curious and remain adaptable becoming just as critical as on-farm expertise.
There was also a strong focus on resilience, not just in managing and responding to changing seasonal conditions, but in building farming businesses that can respond to economic, environmental and social pressures.
Importantly, the panel reinforced that the future of agriculture is not something to react to — it is something the next generation needs to actively shape.
For young farmers and those working in the sector, that means:
- Asking questions and seeking out new perspectives
- Embracing innovation and continuous learning
- Being open to changing the way things have always been done
The overall message from the Young Farmer Exchange was clear: while the challenges in agriculture are real, so too is the opportunity to build a stronger, more sustainable and more profitable future.
Learn more about the Young Farmer Business Program and upcoming events here..