The Rural Times

The Rural Times

Listen up! Young people’s perspective on the future of rural industries

AgriFutures Australia is proud to announce the release of its latest report: "Listen up: Young people’s perspective on the future of Australian agriculture and rural industries" – a compilation of thought-provoking perspectives and provocations from the future leaders of the agriculture sector.
Horizon Scholars at the 2022 AgriFutures Stakeholder Summit in Albury, NSW.

With extensive global challenges facing agricultural and rural industries today, including climate change, economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and evolving consumer preferences, industry leaders must engage the next generation of agricultural frontrunners.

The report highlights the crucial role that young people play in shaping the future of Australian agriculture and emphasises the need for industry and government to invest in, listen to and collaborate with this vital demographic.

The report was compiled as a comprehensive summary of the conversations and collaborative efforts that emerged from the 2022 AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship Workshop in Albury, as part of the AgriFutures Stakeholder Summit.

Over forty Horizon Scholars attended the workshop and created a set of priorities outlined in the report to help industry navigate these challenges and create a sustainable and prosperous future for the industry.

Horizon Scholar, Jenna Wright contributed to the report and said the Horizon Scholars are committed to Australia’s food and fibre future.

“We all care about strengthening the industry, driving change, and including more unique voices. We care about ensuring the success of all industry areas, because we all have a passion for Australian agriculture as a whole,” said Jenna.

According to Abbey O’Callaghan, Manager, Workforce Delivery at AgriFutures Australia, young people have the power to shape the future of rural industries.

“By harnessing the Horizon Scholars’ innovative thinking and fresh perspectives, we can transform the narrative surrounding agriculture and secure a thriving and sustainable future for generations to come.

“In order to achieve this vision, the report calls on industry and decision makers to embrace innovation and diversity, understand that profit and purpose go hand in hand, and find inspiration outside of agriculture, and Australia,” said Abbey.

Additionally, AgriFutures Australia recognises the importance of consulting with Horizon Scholars, the key group who contributed to building the report, when designing programs that impact young people and the future workforce of agriculture. Their unique experiences, aspirations, and knowledge position them as invaluable contributors to policy development and program design.

The report "Listen up: Young people’s perspective on the future of Australian agriculture and rural industries" is now available on AgriFutures Australia’s website.

Click here to download the report now

AgriFutures Horizon Scholarship Industry Sponsors

Thank you to the following sponsors for investing in the future of Australian agriculture: Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC), Kalyx Australia, Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MBCRC), Baiada Poultry, Southern NSW Innovation Hub, Australian Eggs, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), Dairy Australia, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Hort Innovation, Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), AgriFutures evokeAG., Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA), FMC Australasia and AgriProve.

Trending Reports

Growing Old on the Land: The Unique Challenges Facing Rural Australians

Australia's farming families spend decades building properties, businesses and communities. Many hope to remain on the land for as long as possible...

The Wool Industry: A Cornerstone of Rural Australia

  For more than 200 years, wool has been woven into Australia's economic and cultural story. From the vast Merino stations of the inland to modern ...

Virbac Australia Illuminates Goulburn’s Iconic Big Merino to Launch New Multimin Evolution for Sheep and Backs Local Communities with $2,000 Donation

Virbac Australia Illuminates Goulburn’s Iconic Big Merino Virbac Australia has illuminated Goulburn's iconic Big Merino to celebrate the launch of it...

Can Private Credit Help Australian Agriculture?

Agriculture has always required substantial capital. Farm purchases, irrigation systems, machinery, storage facilities and processing plants all re...

Bird Flu: Biosecurity Is Every Farmer's First Line of Defence

For Australian poultry producers, bird flu is more than an international headline. It is a disease capable of shutting down farms, disrupting market...

Rural Australia Faces the Same Scam Threat

Farmers are accustomed to managing risk. Weather, commodity prices, machinery breakdowns and biosecurity all require constant attention. Increasing...

Passing on the Family Farm: Why Rural Property Is Different from Every Other Real Estate Market

For many farming families, the property is more than an investment. It is a business, a home and a legacy built over generations. When Australians ...

Fertiliser in Focus: Why Australian Farmers Are Paying More for a Critical Resource

Every harvest begins long before the first seed is planted. One of the most important ingredients is fertiliser, and in recent years Australian farm...

Artificial Intelligence Is Arriving on the Farm — And It's Becoming Another Piece of Equipment

Artificial intelligence may seem more at home in city offices than in country paddocks, but that perception is changing rapidly. Across Australia...

Why Rural and Regional Queensland Homes See More Rodents in the Cooler Months — and How to Stay Ahead of Them

Anyone who has lived on a property outside the city knows the sound. A scratching in the roof cavity after dark. A rustle behind the feed bins. The ...

From Backpacker to Farm Worker: How Tourism Helps Keep Rural Australia Working

For many overseas visitors, the Australian holiday eventually leads to the farm gate. Every year hundreds of thousands of international visitors ar...

Rising Fuel Costs Place Fresh Pressure on Australian Farmers

Australian agriculture has always depended on affordable fuel. From tractors and harvesters to irrigation pumps, freight vehicles and livestock tra...