New England locals have been encouraged to get involved, celebrate and help raise awareness about where our food and other products come from, as part of this year’s National Agriculture Day celebrations.
A number of ag focused events will held around the region, beginning on Wednesday 19 November with a golf day in Barraba.
New South Wales Farmers Barraba Branch Treasurer Ian Cabot said over the past nine years the annual golf event had proved a huge success.
“Each year we organise a golf day to provide an opportunity for farmers, bankers and the community to come together to recognise the important role agriculture plays in our region, the state and the country as a whole,” Mr Cabot said.
“We’re expecting up to 70 people to head down to the Barraba Golf Course on Trevallyn Road for a 12pm start, beginning with lunch where everyone can not only enjoy great food but also join in some good conversations.
“The annual golf day began when times were pretty tough for farmers, and the event has gone from strength to strength, now with the major rural banks involved and Donoghue Property Valuations coming on board as well.
“Getting together for a game of golf is not only good exercise but it helps build strong social connection for many of us.”
Mr Cabot, who has been farming in the region for more than 45 years, said it was fantastic to see farmers, local bank staff and other members of the community gather together.
He said the golf day is open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend, regardless of their game experience.
On Thursday 20 November students at McCarthy Catholic College in Tamworth will conduct activities in class and around the school grounds to highlight the importance of agriculture in the community.
“Grow You Good Thing the MCC Way!” will see pupils from years 7 to 12 participate in a range of education-based ventures, while students from St Catherines Catholic College in Singleton will hold a morning tea on Friday 21 November featuring fresh farm produce.
The team at Windy Station, Romani Pastoral Company, will get together on Friday 21 November for a private function for staff, contractors and their Quirindi neighbours to celebrate their success in conjunction with National Ag Day.
The University of New England has invited the entire community to ‘Stand with the Land’ on Friday 21 November at the UNE Armidale Campus for a public event to consider how agriculture responds to a shifting global landscape.
Smart Region Incubator interim director at New England University Alex Cook said the event will see farmers, researchers and business leaders join forces to discuss how capital, supply chains and global markets are shaping choices from the farm gate to the dinner plate.
“The day will also feature a ‘Wild Ideas’ panel, where experts present fresh solutions to emerging challenges in agriculture.
“This is a good chance to hear from people who are managing change in farming and across the industry.
Speakers will include Chief Commercial Officer at FMG Global Connor Fitzgerald, who will discuss Managing Sustainability in McDonald’s supply chain. Mr Fitzgerald leads global commercial strategy at FMG Global, which coordinates a large share of McDonald’s beef procurement worldwide.
Hugh Killen, Chief Executive Officer at Impact Ag Australia will bring his experience in sustainable finance and large-scale agribusiness and discuss connecting on-farm performance with investor expectations and resilience.
Global Managing Director British Standards Institution Todd Redwood is well known as an international standards leader in the consumer goods and food industry. He will talk about digital trust, safety and product quality across supply chains.
New South Wales Local Land Services representative Rachel Lawrence will focus on environmental market opportunities and risks for farmers. She will discuss understanding emerging environmental markets and how ecological conditions support production.
National Manager of UNE’s Alumni Landcare Agricultural Program Ang Hammond will outline her work with producers, scientists and Landcare groups to turn soil, water, vegetation and biodiversity into assets for resilient farm businesses.
The five speakers will take part in a panel discussion that is open to the public. Tickets, available from Eventbrite, are $85 and include access to all talks, the panel forum, morning tea and lunch while networking at the Wright Lecture Theatre at UNE’s Armidale campus.
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