South Australia’s premier grower group event provides a valued collection point for grower groups, government and industry to share experiences, develop new ideas, enrich connections and contribute to evolving conversations.

Forum2022 was held on 8 August 2022 at the Marion Hotel, Adelaide, South Australia. The full-day program focused on the theme of ‘Building Collaborative Capacity’, a response to the ever-growing need to learn and adapt more efficiently, build on expertise and capability, bring diversity to the way we think and operate and be more efficient in delivery.

“The aim was to bring national and state level initiatives to the group level and for groups to inform organisations and agencies on their priorities and experience in multi-directional communications”, said Leet Wilksch, Ag Ex Chair.

The program featured major research and development corporations, agencies and industry organisations alongside grower groups to provide a comprehensive overview of current and future ideas for working together.

Michael Macolino, EvokeAg kickstarted the day, followed by a line-up of highly respected speakers including Ruth Peek, Grains Research Development Corporation; Kimberley Shrives, Drought Resilience Research and Adoption Branch and Troy Clarkson, National Soil Strategy. A number of additional speakers and a facilitated panel session also featured.

Mr Wilksch said, “new opportunities are emerging in agriculture through the convergence of ag-tech, policies, strategies and goals, market shifts and responses such as maintaining access, research and development, sustainability targets, climate science and adoption initiatives. We all need to further develop our ability to harness opportunity for a more representative and multi-faceted delivery”.

The day culminated with the Gala Awards Dinner where industry colleagues gathered to network and celebrate grower group achievements with the winners of the PIRSA Grower Group and Perpetual Awards announced.