Farming life can be isolating, but soon technology will link the nation’s agricultural workforce, drawing individuals together with a new app.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Farmer eXchange aims to foster greater farmer-to-farmer collaboration through knowledge-sharing in an online meeting place.
12 farmers around the nation are driving the app’s development through input in an advisory board, including mixed- farmer David Armstrong from Junee.
“I see there is considerable benefit to be gained by providing a platform where farmers can discuss with each other the issues and challenges they are facing, in a trusted, welcoming environment online,” Mr Armstrong said.
“The social and health benefits in creating a platform for such dialogue is huge.
“Not only would the platform become an area for sharing farming success stories and ideas, but also it would be a safe haven to share those more-challenging times on-farm, where you can share your learnings and mistakes with other farmers and lighten the burden of a bad day at work.”
The Riverina is well represented with founder Airlie Trescowthick based in Deniliquin along with advisory board member Josh Small. Aimee Snowden from Tocumwal also sits on the board.
Ms Trescowthick said the Farmer eXchange app is the first of its kind.
“We spent months interviewing our peers, trying to figure out what they needed, and what was missing from their day-to-day practices,” she said.
“It became clear that there’s a giant gap in knowledge-sharing; farmers simply didn’t have an easy, accessible way to ask questions, or seek crowdfund-sourcing advice.
“There is no doubt that online methods of communication and information-gathering are increasingly woven into our farming lives. We believe the Farmer eXchange app will play a significant role in ensuring the ongoing growth and success of our industry.”
The project was funded $168,700 by the Farming Together program and supported by AgriFutures Australia. It will be accessible to farmers signed up to the Farm Table from early April 2018.