The Young Farmers Business Program will officially kick-off at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Thursday 2 April, helping NSW farmers set up for the opportunities and challenges ahead in the State's booming agricultural industry.
Part of the Albanese and Minns Governments' $43.2 million Farm Business Resilience Program, the Young Farmers program supports farmers in building their knowledge and skills to manage drought, climate variability, and business risk.
The programs starts with the Young Farmer Exchange, a free three-hour event hosted by NSW Farmers Young Farmers Committee, in conjunction with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Youth Group.
The event's theme, Agriculture 2075: Investment, Innovation and Influence, will featuring leading industry voices exploring how agriculture may evolve over the coming decades. Attendees will hear insights on investment, technology, leadership and policy before taking part in an open discussion and networking lunch.
Following the daytime forum, guests are also invited to attend Hats Off, an evening of networking and entertainment for young people working or interested in agriculture aged 18 years and over.
Through practical workshops, tools, coaching and peer networks, the Farm Business Resilience Program strengthens decision-making, business planning, risk management, and wellbeing across the drought cycle. This supports more productive, profitable, and sustainable farm businesses.
The Young Farmer Exchange event is just one of a suite of initiatives that will be rolled out over the coming months as part of the Young Farmers Business Program.
Also in the program is the Young Farmer Bank Ready workshops which deliver a series of hands-on workshops for those ready to start, scale up or take the next step of talking to a bank or lender.
Run in partnership with the Rural Financial Counselling Service, which is also supported by Minns Government funding, this series delivers practical, straight-talking support to help young farmers get their business plans and numbers in shape. It is designed to help participants understand business risk and finance readiness, develop a high-level entry or expansion plan, plus strengthen their bank and lender readiness.
Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:
"The Minns Government is pleased to partner with NSW Farmers' on the Young Farmers Business Program as part of our plan for better preparing our agricultural sector for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
"We are collaborating with partners who can make the program productive and real for its participants by skilling them up and fostering confidence in these emerging farmers to operate resilient and thriving farming enterprises.
"We need to build up the business skills for farmers entering the sector. They also need to be aware of the emerging challenges the industry faces with climate change and geopolitical volatility, while understanding the advantages of AgTech.
"By empowering young agricultural leaders, we are investing in regional economies, local jobs and the ongoing prosperity of NSW."
NSW Farmers' President Xavier Martin said:
"NSW Farmers is proud to bring the next generation of agricultural leaders together at the Sydney Royal Easter Show for the Young Farmer Exchange.
"The Exchange is an opportunity to imagine what Australian agriculture could look like over the next 50 years, bringing together leading experts alongside the perspectives of young farmers who will help shape that future. We hope these discussions spark fresh thinking and real momentum about the long-term direction of our industry.
"As farmers, we are good stewards of the landscape and our industry for the generations that follow, and investing in the next generation is critical to ensuring agriculture continues to grow from strength to strength. Through our Stronger Farming Future vision, and guided by our Young Farmers Council, we want to want to help create the opportunities and connections that enable young farmers to lead agriculture into the decades ahead.
"We are pleased to help shape this event and support the ongoing delivery of the Young Farmers Business Program."
Tickets for the Young Farmer Exchange are available here
Tickets for the Hats Off at The Royal are available here
More info on Young Farmer | NSW DroughtHub
