General News
25 March, 2026
Young farmers have a ball
More than 250 young farmers gathered at the Horsham Golf Club on March 13 for an evening of networking and connection-building.
The Birchip Cropping Group’s Young Farmer Network Ball has quickly become a highlight on the regional agricultural calendar and was sold out for the third year in a row.
Guests enjoyed a formal meal, guest speakers, live music, and numerous opportunities to connect with others in the agricultural industry.
This year’s panel included Tom Dunn, a broadacre grower turned cod farmer; Emma Smith from Agriculture Victoria’s on-farm emissions action plan pilot program; and Holly Normoyle from RB Sellars.
Speakers discussed their career paths and offered insights on diversification, education, and the importance of continuous learning through networking and adaptability.
Their key message was that collaboration, innovation, and connection are essential to preparing for an uncertain climate future.
Drought preparedness prompts placed throughout the venue encouraged attendees to share knowledge and engage in discussions across different regions and farming systems.
“BCG’s Young Farmer Network is for the youngest generation on farm and is not exclusive to farm owners,” BCG’s Joe Collins said.
“We encourage anyone who wants to grow their network while keeping up to date with the latest ideas and innovations that can help their business remain resilient to get involved.”
BCG hosts Young Farmer Network events year-round, covering topics such as agronomy, machinery, and farm business management.
In addition to technical learning, these events strengthen the social and professional networks that support resilient farming communities.
The 2026 Young Farmer Network Ball was proudly supported by the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Funding was provided by the Commonwealth of Australia via the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Carbon Farming Outreach Program, in collaboration with the Grower Group Alliance.