Articles related to: Farm innovation

Farm events, conferences, field days, and networking gatherings are invaluable opportunities for farmers. Whether hosted on your farm or elsewhere, these events offer a rare chance to gain fresh insights, build meaningful connections, and bring back innovative ideas. Beyond just knowledge, they help improve efficiency, enhance profitability, and spark changes that can reshape your farm’s future. But let’s be honest—stepping into a place full of strangers can feel daunting, especially when you’re more comfortable in the paddock than in a conference hall.

If you’ve ever attended an event and walked away thinking, I didn’t really get much out of that, you’re not alone. Many people go into events without a clear plan, leading to missed opportunities. Here’s a simple strategy to help you make the most of any farming event you attend—ensuring you return home with valuable insights, useful connections, and practical takeaways that benefit your farm.

1) Prepare Your Farm for Your Absence

Before you even think about what you’ll gain from an event, make sure your farm will run smoothly while you’re away. The last thing you want is to spend your time at a conference distracted by phone calls and urgent farm issues.

Here’s how to set things up in advance:

  • Use a Task Management System

    Clearly document what needs to be done while you’re away. Assign responsibilities to your team (or family members) and make sure they know how to handle unexpected issues.

  • Have a Clear Communication Plan

    Let your team know when you’ll be available to check in. If possible, delegate decision-making to a trusted person so you’re not constantly interrupted.

  • Prepare for Your Return

    Set a follow-up plan for when you get back. What tasks will need your attention first? Having a structured re-entry plan will help you quickly apply what you’ve learned.

Once your farm is prepared, you can focus fully on making the most of the event.

2) Go in With a Strategy in Farm Events

Most people show up at events without a clear plan, leading to surface-level conversations that don’t go anywhere. Instead, approach the event with a strategy that helps you build real relationships.

1. Focus on Value First

Networking isn’t about handing out business cards or making quick sales. Instead of asking, What can I get?, flip the question to How can I help?

  • Offer insights or experiences from your farm that others might find useful.
  • Be curious—ask good questions and show genuine interest in others.
  • If you meet a speaker or expert, don’t just praise their talk—share a specific takeaway and how you plan to use it.

2. Have a Clear and Memorable Introduction

People remember specifics. Instead of saying, I run a farm in Central NSW, try something more engaging:

“I run a mixed enterprise farm in Central NSW, and I’m focused on improving pasture rotation to boost both soil health and profitability. I’m here to learn more about automation in farming.”

3. Pre-Identify Who You Want to Meet

Many big farming events provide an attendee list or speaker lineup. Instead of walking in blind:

  • Look for farmers in your industry or those who have faced similar challenges.
  • Identify 5–10 key people you’d like to meet.
  • If possible, engage before the event with a simple email or text like:
    “Hey [Name], I saw you’ll be at [Event]! I’d love to connect and hear about your work in [industry]. Will you be at [specific session]?”

This makes the first in-person conversation much easier.

3) Build Connections That Last

A common mistake people make at events is collecting contacts but never following up. Here’s how to turn brief conversations into lasting relationships:

  1. Ask for a Unique Follow-Up

    Instead of the usual “Let’s connect on Facebook or Whatsapp,” try:
    “Send me that book recommendation you mentioned—I’d love to read it.”
    This makes the follow-up more natural and memorable.

  2. Follow the 48-Hour Rule

    Within 48 hours of the event, send a quick message referencing your chat and sharing something valuable—like an article, a tool, or an insight you discussed.

  3. Stay in Touch Over Time

    Networking isn’t about one-off interactions. If you found someone particularly insightful, schedule a follow-up chat in a month or two to exchange more ideas.

4) Apply What You Learn in Farm Events

The real value of such events comes from how you apply what you’ve learned. Before heading home, take 10 minutes to jot down:

  • The top 3 ideas you want to implement.
  • The key people you want to follow up with.
  • The action steps to take in the next week.

Alert: Even the best event is wasted if you don’t take action afterward.

Make Every Event Count

Attending farming events can be an uncomfortable step outside your routine, but with the right approach, they can become powerful opportunities for learning and growth. By preparing your farm in advance, going in with a clear networking strategy, and following up effectively, you’ll walk away from events with valuable insights and relationships that can benefit your farm for years to come.

So, the next time you sign up for farm events, conferences, field days, or other networking event, use this strategy—and get ready for a learning-filled, productive experience! Need more guidance? Access our free resources and get personalised support here.

If you found this article helpful, share it with your network to help others unlock their farming potential. Don’t forget to like and follow us on social media for more insightful tips: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Let’s empower more farmers together!

The search for the “perfect employees” might be the single biggest mistake farm owners make. Not only is this approach time-consuming, but it also creates a dependency. The reality? The ideal employee doesn’t exist—but your farm can thrive with coachable team members who align with your operational core values and embrace following systems in place.

Hence, at Enable Ag, we believe transitioning from a people-dependent to a systems-driven farm by core values aligned team members can unlock sustainability, resilience, and, most importantly, time freedom for you and your family.

The Cost of Chasing Perfect Employees

Relying on highly skilled individuals might feel like the safest bet, but it makes your farm vulnerable. When key team members leave, chaos often ensues. Without clear systems in place, remaining employees are left scrambling to fill the gaps, leading to errors, delays, and stress.

Instead of chasing unicorn employees, why not hire for shared values and train your team using documented workflows? Like schools that train students for success, your farm can foster a culture where systems guide operations.

Why Systems Matter As Much As People

The relationship between systems and personnel is inversely proportional. The better your systems, the less reliant you are on unicorns. Systems can reduce human error, ensure consistency, and build a scalable business model.

Consider this: A documented procedure for setting up irrigation or processing payroll ensures clarity and reduces the margin for mistakes. Tools like Loom or Scribe simplify creating these Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with minimal effort.

What You Gain with a Systems-First Approach

  1. Operational Resilience: Systems maintain your farm’s stability during staff transitions or absences.
  2. Scalability: Hire based on cultural fit, upskill employees, and rely on systems for expertise.
  3. Improved Team Dynamics: Defined workflows eliminate confusion, foster trust, and boost morale.
  4. Time Freedom: Free yourself from micromanagement and focus on strategy or personal priorities.

Stop-Searching-for-Perfect-Employees—Heres-Why-Your-Farm-Needs-Strong-Systems-Instead

How to Start Building Systems on Your Farm

  1. Start with High-Impact Tasks: Identify recurring processes, like livestock management or irrigation schedules, and create simple systems for them. Start with the ones that are going to happen sooner than later.
  2. Leverage Technology: Tools like Smartsheet and Loom make creating and managing systems intuitive.
  3. Test and Refine: Implement the system, gather team feedback, and improve until it’s seamless.
  4. Focus on the 80/20 Rule: Target the 20% of activities that yield 80% of your farm’s results. Finish one system at a time.

Why Farmers Need to Shift Their Mindset

Too often, farmers believe that they need to handle everything themselves. This mindset traps them in reactive work, constantly putting out fires instead of planning for growth.

The solution? A systems-first approach that enables delegation, empowers your team, and makes your farm sustainable even in your absence.

From Stress to Sustainability

Building robust systems isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about creating a farm that thrives independently. Imagine reclaiming your weekends, spending quality time with your family, and knowing your farm runs smoothly without you constantly overseeing every detail.

Don’t let outdated practices hold you back. Contact Enable Ag for a FREE personalised consultation to check if it’s the right program for you toward operational excellence and personal freedom.

If you found this article helpful, share it with your network to help others unlock their farming potential. Don’t forget to like and follow us on social media for more insightful tips: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Let’s empower more farmers together!

Running a farm goes beyond traditional skills—it’s about effective leadership and strategic management. As the industry faces challenges like unpredictable markets and labour shortages, how are you adapting? The farmers who thrive embrace modern farm management tools, from precision agriculture to cloud-based software, and empower their teams through strong leadership.

Lead with Purpose toward Modern Farm Management

Good leadership isn’t about giving orders—it’s about inspiring commitment. Create an environment where your team feels valued and supported. Regular feedback sessions, clear communication, and shared goals encourage a sense of ownership and accountability. Consider daily briefings to align everyone with farm priorities and foster problem-solving before challenges escalate.

Additionally, resilience is a hallmark of effective leadership. Whether it’s a tough market shift or an unexpected machinery breakdown, staying focused helps keep your team calm and resourceful under pressure.

Manage Smarter, Not Harder

Farm management has grown increasingly complex, making the integration of digital tools crucial. Do you regularly monitor track input costs, yields, and labour expenses? Streamlining operations with right tools can help you make more informed decisions, save costs, and reduce manual errors. Think of farm management systems as tools that allow you to work smarter, rather than harder, by consolidating critical data in one place.

Empower Your Workforce

A productive farm starts with a motivated workforce. Are your workers engaged and clear on their roles? Foster a sense of belonging through open communication and clear task management. Defined responsibilities, along with weekly check-ins, ensure that your team stays focused and knows exactly what’s expected of them.

Another key aspect is empowering your team to embrace change. As technology evolves, successful farm leaders invest in training staff to understand and use new tools effectively. Building your team’s confidence in technology increases productivity and enhances overall farm efficiency.

Achieve Balance Between Profit and Well-Being

While increasing farm profitability is vital, sustainability also depends on balancing productivity with the well-being of both the land and the people who work it. Take steps to avoid burnout by delegating responsibilities and leveraging technology to reduce manual labour. Ensuring that both you and your team maintain a healthy work-life balance is critical for long-term success.

 

Mastering Modern Farm Management: Four (4) Leadership Tips for Thriving Farms

Four (4) Leadership Tips for Modern Farm Management

  1. Set Leadership Goals: Schedule quarterly workshops that focus on key areas like communication, conflict resolution, and team motivation. Use surveys or one-on-one feedback from your team to measure progress. Measure success through team feedback and farm performance metrics.
  2. Implement Weekly Structured Briefings: Hold structured 30 to 60-minute weekly meetings to set weekly objectives and review potential issues. Use this time to empower team members by rotating leadership roles during these briefings. Encourage open feedback for any process improvements.
  3. Foster Skill Development: Invest in continuous learning for yourself and your team. Enroll in relevant courses through Enable Ag’s Learning Portal to upskill in areas like creation of simple systems, farm technology, and leadership. Tailor these learning paths to match your farm’s goals, ensuring your team is equipped to handle new tools or challenges. Implement hands-on workshops or mentoring programs to reinforce learning on the job. Regularly assess progress and encourage cross-training to ensure team flexibility and preparedness for diverse farm tasks.
  4. Delegate and Monitor Effectively: Adopt task management platforms like Trello, Asana or Smartsheet to assign tasks with clear deadlines and accountability. Review weekly reports on task completion, and use performance dashboards to identify bottlenecks or workflow inefficiencies.

Farm success hinges on more than just traditional skills; it requires strong leadership and efficient management. By embracing modern tools, empowering your workforce, and balancing productivity with well-being, you can ensure long-term success for your farm. Curious about how you can elevate your leadership and management practices? Get in touch with Enable Ag to explore the free resources that will help you thrive, or schedule a personalised guidance to transform your farm operations and lead your team to success.

If you found this article helpful, share it with your network to help others unlock their farming potential. Don’t forget to like and follow us on social media for more insightful tips: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Let’s empower more farmers together!