Farming ahead of the curve aims to provide Australian farmers with the skills sets and knowledge required to create and generate greater value for the food and fibre they produce. We will deliver programs to build Australian farmers’ capacity to engage with all stakeholders along the supply chain to increase awareness, loyalty and pride and consumer preference for Australian produce par excellence.

To farm ahead of the curve a shift from traditional boundaries into the world of supply chain relationships, value adding and marketing is required. More than 86 per cent of Australians now live in cities or within 80 kilometres of the coast. Links to rural communities have been lost and knowledge about the production of our food and fibre is declining.

Farmers, on the other hand, are gradually losing touch with their urban communities as modern supply chains isolate them from the people who consume their produce.

Further, we must initiate two-way conversations between farmers and consumers to create a better understanding of consumer preferences and any collaboration required by the farming sector to meet or exceed consumer expectations.

Australian agriculture must build relationships with urban consumers

Australia has relatively immature food value chains compared to our global competitors and the disconnect between urban consumers and farmers is currently affecting profitability in the food sector. To turn this around, farmers need to build the capacity to position themselves to be ahead of the curve.

This will lead to sustainable value chains, where all participants along the chain are in tune with and responsive to the needs of consumers and what it costs to produce safe, affordable, nutritious and ethically produced food.

Australian agriculture must convert supply chains into value chains

How do we deliver the change that agriculture must have? For farmers this will mean working beyond traditional boundaries and challenging the conventional thinking of primary industries and individuals. It will require a paradigm shift in thinking and a collaborative re-allocation of resources and responsibilities amongst all stakeholders in the value chain.

It will require deploying agriculture’s young people into schools to build relationships with the next generation of consumers. It will need innovative and fun ways of engaging the next generation of consumers in considering the issues affecting sustainable food and fibre production.

Farming Ahead of the Curve has developed a suite of programs, training and networking opportunities which will change the way farmers and consumers interact, increasing value across all sectors.

These programs provide a supportive environment, professional development, access to inspiring leadership, first class mentoring and training.

The legacy of these program allow farmers of all ages to participate in, and extract greater value from the fibre to fabric and paddock to plate supply chain.

Farming ahead of the curve provides a unique opportunity for Farmers to farm past the farmgate and be ahead of the curve. the result will be a viable future for our nation’s farmers.