National Agriculture Day on Friday, November 17, is an initiative to bridge the farm-city knowledge gap on the origins of the food Australians put on the table.
Australian farmers are incredibly proud of their role as producers of essential food and fibre products for consumers.
Coretext writers know this firsthand from our many interactions with farmers, interviewing them about their farming practices, their challenges and the products they produce.
We also recognise there is often a disconnect between farmers and the urban communities, with a lack of understanding or appreciation of where food comes from. It's an issue that regularly comes up when we're out and about on farms.
This National Farmers’ Federation promotion, National Agriculture Day is an effort to encourage people to learn about Australia’s incredible farm sector, which is an integral part of people’s everyday lives… even if it is out of sight to most.
Through a series of public events in all states, including luncheons, photography competitions and school activities, the objective is to raise awareness of the world-renowned quality of the food and fibre produced on Australian farms and the sophisticated resources management these days that endeavours to integrate farming with the environment.
Environmental and science leadership
Agriculture is already playing a critical role in Australia’s climate change responses and in the development and use of technologies that minimise – with the objective of eliminating – potentially harmful environmental impacts.
The research at work on Australian farms today covers almost every field of science: from the biological sciences to advances in robotics, machine learning (AI), satellite sensor platforms, and ‘green’ energy production and use.
Numerous technologies considered futuristic in the general community are already at work on farms, such as invisible fences that use GPS to keep livestock contained and autonomous machines that can weed and feed crops 24 hours a day, communicating with each other as well as the farmer, as they work.
It’s a long time since the plough and massive diesel-burning tractors were ripping over the landscape, yet this is still the image held by many urban communities.
So while National Agriculture Day is officially just one day, we would all be wiser and richer for the experience if it was 365 days. #AgDayAU
