Tassie's young farmers build skills at Rabobank forum

Young farmers from across south-eastern Australia – including a cohort of Tasmania farmers – gathered in Ballarat recently for Rabobank’s Young Farmers Forum, designed to help the 37 participants strengthen their leadership, communication and decision-making skills.

The farmers travelled from a diverse range of agricultural regions, across southern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, to take part in the two-day program. 

The forum focused on practical leadership development, including influencing without authority, communication that builds trust and using data to support informed decision-making. 

Rabobank state manager for Victoria and Tasmania Sally Bull said the forum was developed to equip the next generation of agricultural leaders with skills that would support them both on-farm and within their communities.

“The forum provided participants with practical tools they can apply immediately in their businesses, while also giving them the opportunity to learn from one another and expand their networks across industries and regions,” she said.

“Those connections are particularly important in agriculture. Having trusted peers to exchange ideas with, work through challenges and share opportunities can be every bit as valuable as the practical skills participants took away from the forum.”

In addition to classroom sessions, participants visited two Victorian agribusinesses, Ballarat-based Windermere Oilseeds – an innovative processor of regionally grown Non-GM Canola seed – and the multi-enterprise family farming business, Warrambeen near Shelford, which incorporates cropping, livestock, and free-range eggs. 

During the visits the young farmers explored how communication, strategic thinking and data-informed decision making are applied in successful farming and value-chain businesses. 

The young farmers also heard from James and Fiona Paterson, who operate JHW Paterson & Son, a large-scale, multigenerational farming enterprise based west of Hay in NSW. 

The couple shared insights into stepping into responsibility early, growing a modern farming enterprise, and the realities of leadership in Australian agriculture.

Ms Bull said the strong level of engagement during the forum highlighted the appetite among young farmers to continue developing their skills and industry connections.