YOUNG grain growers will learn how to better harness to power of social media to paint a positive story of their industry at this year’s Innovation Generation (IG) conference, to be held in Adelaide from July 3-5.
IG, organised by GrainGrowers, is the premier event in the Australian grains sector for industry participants under 35.
At this year’s event, which features Fairfax Agricultural Media on board as the exclusive media partner, attendees will discover more about the digital technology issues impacting them.
This ranges from the practical, with Darrin Lee, BlighLee Farms, speaking on how to get around the problem of connectivity by building your own on-farm private internet network through to potential new funding models, with Peter Cain, Dad’s Oats, talking about utilising crowd funding.
Michael Southan, GrainGrowers’ general manager of industry development, said the event would attract around 150 people from across the country to the Adelaide Convention Centre.
He said the itinerary had been designed to reflect the changing landscape of the grains sector.
“The advent of the digital age – and particularly social media – provides tremendous opportunities for Australian farmers and the greater agricultural sector to connect with distant markets and customers and tell a positive story, but also poses challenges in regions where connectivity is an issue,” Dr Southan said.
“Innovation Generation 2017 will explore how as a collective, Australian farmers – and grain growers in particular - can best take advantage of this virtual world.”
He said IG, now in its 11th year was continuing to grow.
“IG has always proved to be a fantastic way for young grain growers to get together and discuss the big issues in agriculture.”
Radio and TV identity Adam Spencer will open the conference, speaking about the impact of the digital revolution in communications over the past decade.
Dr Southan said early bird registrations for the event close this Sunday, June 4.
He said growers interested in booking could do so by visiting http://www.innovationgeneration.com.au/register/