About Us

Farm Writers plays an important role in helping to strengthen links and understanding between the rural sector and the wider Australian community. Regular forums held in Sydney provide a unique and respected platform for industry leaders, expert commentators, entrepreneurs and lobbyists to communicate with a wide range of audiences and influencers.

The Farm Writers' Association of NSW was established in 1966 as the Farm Writers and Broadcasters Society of NSW. Its broad aims are to foster communication about and promote the interests of rural Australia in general and the NSW farm sector in particular. Life Member Stuart Hutton put together a history of Farm Writers in 2024 - read here.

The Association also provides a forum for rural journalists and other agri-communicators to discuss rural industry developments and issues in a networking environment with people involved in farming, food and fibre processing, marketing, regulation, and rural politics.

NSW Farm Writers is a foundation member of the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists and plays a key role in fostering global rural communication via the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists.

Farm Writers members come from a wide range of backgrounds and pursuits, but share a common dedication to promoting quality rural communication. Among its members are rural journalists from key national, State and regional print and electronic media. Others represent national and state rural industry organisations, governments (State and Federal), agribusiness companies, the agri-finance sector, communication consultancies and other service providers.

Traditionally, the Association meets over lunch on the last Friday of each month to hear invited speakers or expert panels present and discuss their views on rural issues of current importance.

Guest speakers are normally influential in the agricultural sector or among rural communities and are chosen for their preparedness to offer authoritative, frank and newsworthy commentary and perspectives on issues of current or emerging importance.

Regular Agribuzz events provide a relaxed atmosphere that facilitates networking and professional development opportunities over drinks and canapés, along with brief presentations from key-note speakers.