Planting the seed for the future leaders of Australia's agricultural sector.
About Farming Futures
Farming Futures is a student-run initiative at the University of New England (UNE) that connects school students, university students and graduates with Australia’s agricultural sector. Established in 2011, the committee curates’ hands-on experiences and networking that showcase the breadth of modern agriculture and clear pathways into rewarding careers.
What we run each year
Farming Futures delivers three flagship events on the UNE Armidale campus:
Schools Program – interactive sessions for Years 10-12 that spotlight study options, ag-tech, business, sustainability and on-farm pathways. Sessions are delivered with industry and UNE academics to help students explore “what’s next” after school.
Careers Fair – Australia’s largest student-run agricultural careers fair, bringing together employers across agribusiness, ag-tech, consulting, production and more for meaningful conversations with students and graduates.
Industry Dinner – an evening that extends the day’s conversations in a professional, relaxed setting and often features guest speakers and a community-minded fundraising element.
Dates, times and ticketing vary each year. For the latest details, follow Farming Futures on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Why it matters
The events help:
Students discover study and career pathways in agriculture,
Industry connect with motivated future professionals, and
Schools link curriculum with real-world ag innovation.
Get involved
Schools: Expressions of interest for the Schools Program open annually. There is no fee for student participation.
Students & graduates: The Careers Fair and Industry Dinner are open to UNE students and the wider community each year.
Employers: Exhibitor packages include a branded booth and options to feature in event guides; sponsorship tiers are also available to amplify your brand across the program. (Contact the committee for current inclusions.)
History
Farming Futures began in 2011 as a student-led dinner and expanded the following year to include a careers fair. Since then, the committee has grown the program into a year-round highlight that strengthens ties between students, industry and UNE.
