Young Ag Network CQ: Bringing Agricultural Workers Together

A group of young agricultural workers in central Queensland has come together to form a networking group, Young Ag Network CQ, to connect with others in the industry and build relationships.

Charlie Smith, one of the founders, said he was surprised to find that Rockhampton, a large agricultural town, lacked a social and networking group for young agriculture workers. "I assumed Rocky, being quite a large agricultural town, that it would be established already and was surprised when it wasn't," he said.

Building connections and community

After meeting fellow agriculture workers Annie Ramm and Hannah Goodwin, the three formed Young Ag Network CQ and held their first networking event at a Rockhampton pub in April. "Everyone was pretty excited about having something that they could come to," Mr Smith said. "There were people coming from Bilo[ela] or they were coming a fair way, or people that have just moved into the town."

The founders believe they have the only formal local youth network for central Queensland's agriculture industry. Most of its members are in their 20s, in the early stages of their career, and are not all farmers. Among the group of 15, bankers and lawyers share beers, conversation, and insight with beef and cotton producers.

Annie Ramm said the group aimed to show people that the agricultural industry is diverse and that everyone has a connection to it. "Whether you like it or not, in Rocky, you're going to have some connect to ag[riculture]," Ms Ramm said. "So I think it's great to show people like lawyers … [that] you're also in the industry."

Expanding horizons and building networks

Erin Goodwin, Hannah's sister and another member of Young Ag Network CQ, said the events had helped her broaden her connections within the industry. "There's a lot of jobs out there that I didn't even know existed and it's really opened and expanded my horizons of the different aspects of the agricultural industry," she said.

Makayla Bellwood, a member of Young Ag Network CQ and agricultural property valuer, moved to central Queensland last year and found it difficult to make friends in Rockhampton. "I didn't want to be here, I wanted to move away, I wanted to go back to where I knew people and had friendships," she said. "But now if I think if I wanted to move away, I think straight away of these people that I've met and think, 'Oh well, I'd be sad to leave them and those friendships behind.'"

The importance of community in agriculture

Catherine Waite, a University of Melbourne researcher, said building camaraderie within the industry is crucial for retaining young people in the sector. "People who are perhaps entering work for the first time or entering full-time work, entering the type of jobs that enable you to be independent, that's when those kinds of collegial relationships are nominated as particularly important," she said.

Lilly Rehbein, a farmer and horticulture representative, drove four hours from Bundaberg to attend Young Ag Network CQ's first event in Rockhampton. She said she knew no one, but left the night with plenty of new friends. "People were just interested in you and interested in what story you had to tell," she said.

Future plans and growth

The founders are looking to grow their numbers through smaller networking events, with the next one planned for November. They hope to expand their events to include guest speakers, long lunches, and an annual ball. "Maybe in the future … it could be a long lunch with guest speakers or maybe an annual ball," Ms Goodwin said.

The group encourages other young people around the country to start their own groups. "Chances are there's a lot of people that have thought the same thing and they've just been too scared to start it as well," Ms Goodwin said. "So do it and then just make a goal of it, don't give up after the first one."