AgVention Fosters Innovation

Image source: Photographer Martin Duncan

Producers, industry innovators and farmers from as far as New Zealand, Tasmania and Victoria gathered at the Kandanga Farm Store for the inaugural AgVention, a coming-together of the best and latest in sustainable farming and technology. Jolene Ogle checked it out.

Usually home to rambling cattle, the paddock behind Kandanga Farm Shop was cleared of its usual residents to make way for the inaugural AgVention, a chance for industry leaders to share their innovations with farmers, producers and conscious consumers.

More than 400 people, along with four school groups, attended the festival where they could taste bacon-infused salt, sip camel milk, try organic teas, marvel at enormous drones and learn all about modern farming advances. Presented by BOS Rural Supplies and Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN), AgVention delivered fascinating talks on a range of topics including an exploration of the future of food, a focus on renewable farming practices, and how to farm with integrity as presented by IN Noosa Magazine contributing writer Matt Golinski.

The inclusion of school groups was a win for the convention with FAN General Manager Emma Greenhatch saying the young students are the future.

“AgVention was a fantastic way to bring products into the supply chain,” she said. “Students are the consumers and producers of the future, so it’s great to see them here.”

BOS Rural Supplies owners and local farmers Amber and Tim Scott first planned to hold AgVention more than five years ago but realised they needed the help of FAN to make sure they reached as far and wide as possible.

“AgVention has been close to Tim’s heart for a long time,” Amber says. “We’re so passionate about innovation for purpose and we want to make farming sustainable and achievable for the next generation.

“The average farmer is 60, so we know we have to get kids interested in the industry. Kids bring new energy and new ideas.”

Amber and Tim said they were excited to team up with FAN and said the inaugural event was a huge success.

“We wanted to make sure there was something for everyone on the day,” Amber says. “There was such a great energy, lots of new products and it was a chance to bring new customers to producers and innovators.

“We are so grateful FAN exists and couldn’t believe our luck to have them in our area. We couldn’t have done this without them.”

 

About the Author /

jolene@innoosamagazine.com.au

Jolene has worked in the local media industry for more than five years. She is now a small business owner, mother to one sassy toddler and a newborn baby and loves to share stories about Noosa from its glorious food scene to the inspiring people.

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