In September, hundreds of Australian producers will “shut the farm gate“ and head to the nation’s capital. No, not to protest, but to lead.
The Farming Forever National Summit will unite more than 300 attendees in Canberra, including farmers, innovators and policy influencers to partner, share insights and shape the future of farming using a nature-positive lens.
Farmers for Climate Action (FCA) will host the event.
FCA CEO Natalie Collard said farmers were already adopting clean tech, slashing inputs and stacking new income streams — all from the same piece of land.
“Farmers are driving the move toward nature-friendly farming — 71 per cent are self-funding climate action such as clean energy to future-proof their farms,” said Ms Collard.
“Australian farmers have always been clean and green and now we’re extending that to be as friendly to nature as possible.
“This summit puts that leadership on the national stage and gives producers the tools to adapt — on their terms.”
Held at Hotel Realm, Canberra on 1 – 2 September, the summit marks 10 years of FCA’s farmer-led movement.
Designed to deliver action — not just conversation — it will equip producers with practical tools, build relationships across the supply chain and send a strong message to decision-makers in an election year.
Attendees will hear directly from farmers who are:
• Turning biodiversity into passive income
• Electrifying machinery to cut diesel costs
• Embracing agtech to boost profits
• Hosting wind and solar while grazing livestock
“Hosting modern clean energy helps our farmers continue their traditions,” Ms Collard said.
“They’re still grazing sheep under solar panels and raising cattle around turbines — but now with an income stream that keeps families on the land.”
The potential returns are significant. Recent analysis shows farmers could earn up to $40,000 per year for every
wind turbine hosted on their property — while still using 98pc of their land for food production.
A Call for Urgency from the Land – Farmers on the Frontline
Peter Holding, a third-generation sheep and cropping farmer from NSW, is clear about the stakes:
“We’re in a battle for survival — urgency is critical. If we want to keep producing food at the levels needed, we have to adapt.
“This summit is where we come together and get serious.
“Farming today is science, strategy and tech. The problems are complex — but we’ve got the tools. Now we need practical solutions that work.
“I’ve got faith in younger farmers. They’re thinking differently — but struggling to break into leadership. We need to back them.”
Farmer Conversations Driving Real-World Change
“Australia has some of the toughest farming conditions in the world—but that’s made us leaders in climate-smart agriculture” said SA pastoralist Ellen Litchfield who is looking forward to networking with farmers from across the country.
“Great stuff happens when farmers come together. Whether it’s after a panel session or over drinks — it’s those everyday conversations that spark powerful change.”
Who’s Speaking: Climate, Clean Energy, and Innovation Leaders in Ag
Panels and workshops will showcase leading voices in climate science, biodiversity, innovation and real-world production, offering practical strategies for farming smarter in a changing landscape.
Headline speakers include:
• Brent Finlay – Cattle farmer, former NFF president and MD of Finlay Agricultural Industries
• Mike Casey – Cherry grower and CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, who has electrified every machine on his New
Zealand orchard
• David DJ Jochinke – National Farmers’ Federation president
• Tim Jarvis AM – Environmental scientist, author and explorer
• Professor David Lindenmayer AO – One of Australia’s foremost biodiversity and nature-friendly farming
experts
• Professor Mark Howden – IPCC vice chair and director, ANU Climate, Energy and Disaster Institute.
For more information please visit: www.farmersforclimateaction.org.au/farmingforevernationalsummit25.
