Food and Fibre Great South Coast acknowledges that our region is on the traditional lands, waterways and skies of the Peek Whurrong, Kirrae Whurrung, Gunditjmara, Eastern Maar Nations, Jardwadjali, Boandik, Djab Wurrun and Buandig people.
We recognise the important ongoing role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have in our community and pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
I am just as passionate today about agriculture and its opportunities as the day I got involved over 30 years ago.
There are enormous challenges ahead, but this also presents immense opportunities.
The technology, research and farm practices today in Australia are cutting edge, and we will continue to challenge ourselves to produce the best food and fibre sustainably and ethically.
We have run a dairy for 17 years, and 2 years ago we diversified into free range mobile chickens, dairy heifers agistment and beef. The change has kept us on a continual learning journey, which I love about farming.
In 2011, I was awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship that allowed me to travel and make friends all over Australia and the world. It exposed me to the boardrooms of some of the biggest co-ops and agribusinesses in the world, as well as the challenges and opportunities we have as Australian farmers. I also got to experience the thought leadership of some of the world’s most innovative farmers, who are constantly adopting new technologies with an eye on sustainability and climate variability.
Just like the rest of the world, changes in Australian farming practices is driven by sustainability. We have witnessed the change in climate, consumer expectations and the focus on our resources as the world’s population continues to grow.
We should continue to embrace these changes to ensure we continue to produce top quality food and fibre and leave our land and the future of Australian agriculture brighter than when we started.
