That’s what was happening at a meeting in the Crookwell Services Club, with nearly 50 people attending to find out about a proposed Australia Agriculture Centre (AAC).

Regional Development Australia Southern Inland (RDASI) and AAC coordinator Jo Marshall hosted the community consultation to gauge support for the centre. Veteran Crookwell potato farmer David Montgomery talked about how the concept originated some 30 years ago.

The AAC would be a multi-purpose facility focused on tourism and education to showcase and demonstrate technology and innovation in the agricultural industry. The centre, still at the concept stage, would feature field production, small-scale manufacturing and energy initiatives in its interactive and themed displays.

As the average Aussie farmer is age 56, Mrs Marshall says it’s time to bring on younger generations in the sector. With renewed interest in Australian foods and fibres, now was the time to give younger or would-be agriculturalists a real-time experience of farm life. 

Feedback and questions were welcomed following the presentation, and confirmed to Mrs Marshall, she said, that the centre belonged in Crookwell. “It was great to see so many key people attend the community consultation and hear their ideas and support for the concept,” she said. “It is clear it is something the community wants and I will be acting on the offers of support and assistance to bring this project to fruition.”

She said the next step would be to work towards having a business case completed to present to possible investors.