CONFERENCE 2026: Real-time challenges the focus of ‘farmers helping farmers’ conference

June 24, 2026

MEDIA RELEASE

Helping Australian farmers solve real-time and real-world challenges is the focus of one of the nation’s leading farmer conferences in Yarrawonga-Mulwala in September.

Farmers helping farmers group VicNoTill have opened bookings today for its annual two-day conference on September 3 and 4.

The event will bring together some of the country’s most progressive farmers, soil scientists, agronomists and change-makers in agriculture.

Former VicNoTill president, Riverina broadacre cropper and Farmer of the Year finalist Dan Fox, General Jeffery Soil Health Award winner Dr Susan Orgill and Founder of Changing Habits and The Nutrition Academy Cyndi O’Meara are among guest speakers.

Also speaking are systems-thinking agronomist and rural men’s health advocate Tim Watt, Queensland beef production farmer and Create Australia graduate Anna Hughes and agronomist and ag researcher Alex Grant.

The program also includes a field day at the Burramine property of broadacre cropper Nathan Lawless who farms with his father Peter.

VicNoTill president Michael Gooden said the main goal of the conference was for farmers to feel more confident and gain new skills, ideas and contacts to help them with the day-to-day challenges they faced on-farm.

With a growing number of agronomists, scientists, government organisations and ag industry specialists attending the conference, Michael said it also provided a great opportunity to bridge the gap between farmers and high-level decision makers.

VicNoTill was formed in 2002 by a group of Wimmera farmers who were keen to share their skills and experience in transitioning to no-till and controlled traffic farming systems. The member-based group is now one of the world’s leading voices for sustainable, profitable large-scale systems that prioritise soil and farmer health and grow food and fibre at scale utilising regenerative tools.

Michael said the not-for-profit group, led by a volunteer farmer-based board, had a long-established reputation for challenging traditional thinking and supporting farmers in their transition towards farming systems that aligned more closely with nature.

“The key reason VicNoTill still exists and remains relevant after 24 years is that we follow a simple yet highly effective approach – farmers helping farmers,” he said.

“We’re changing agriculture from the ground up and we exist to benefit our members. We’re proud to play our part in regenerating soil resources and helping people farm more sustainably while improving plant and human health.

“It’s a privilege to be part of creating a significant flow-on effect you get when people make positive changes for the long-term future of the industry we are all so passionate about.”