The Farmer Exchange to bridge distance with new app

Farming life can be isolating, but soon technology will link the nation’s agricultural workforce, drawing individuals together with a new app.

The Farmer eXchange aims to foster greater farmer-to-farmer collaboration through knowledge-sharing in an online meeting place.

12 farmers around the nation are driving the app’s development through input in an advisory board, including one from Junee and one from Tocumwal, Aimee Snowden.

“There is nothing like what Airlie has proposed currently for farmers – built by farmers for farmers,” Ms Snowden said.

“The ability to farmers from around Australia to ask questions, learn about new industries, and share knowledge through Farmer eXchange is hugely beneficial and exciting.”

The Riverina is well represented with founder Airlie Trescowthick based in Deniliquin along with another advisory board member Josh Small.

Ms Trescowthick said the Farmer eXchange app is the first of its kind.

“We spent months interviewing our peers, trying to figure out what they needed, and what was missing from their day-to-day practices,” she said.

“It became clear that there’s a giant gap in knowledge-sharing; farmers simply didn’t have an easy, accessible way to ask questions, or seek crowdfund-sourcing advice.

“There is no doubt that online methods of communication and information-gathering are increasingly woven into our farming lives. We believe the Farmer eXchange app will play a significant role in ensuring the ongoing growth and success of our industry.”

The project was funded by the Farming Together program and supported by AgriFutures. It will launch in early April 2018.