More than 350 people from across East Gippsland took part in the region’s Youth Agritech Expo last week, an event described as a “light bulb moment” for many students, as they discovered the exciting and progressive future of farming.

The two-day expo, led by Swifts Creek local and Youth Agritech Coordinator Lily McCole, brought together more than 250 students from Swifts Creek, Omeo, Sale, Orbost, Bairnsdale and beyond – including a group of homeschool students – to experience agriculture in new and hands-on ways.  

The atmosphere was described as absolutely electric, with students fully immersed in every activity on offer. From pregnancy testing a prosthetic cow and analysing sugars in food, to learning how drones are used to spray crops and the licensing required to operate them, the expo gave young people a genuine taste of the modern farming industry. Students also saw a driverless tractor and tested how many classmates could fit on a set of cattle scales.

East Gippsland Shire Council’s Agribusiness Development Officer, Kaylene Wickham, said the expo exceeded expectations.

“Some of the most rewarding feedback we received was from teachers who told us that some students who are quieter in the classroom were among the most enthusiastic participants on the day,” Ms Wickham said.  

“These hands-on sessions gave young people a real taste of what’s possible in agriculture. It showcased just how innovative, high-tech and diverse the industry has become, and that really sparked excitement.”

The expo was supported by Swifts Creek Futures, East Gippsland Shire Council and the Youth Ambassadors, alongside a wide range of partners including Gippsland Agriculture Group, Southern Farming Systems, TAFE Gippsland, Central Queensland University Australia, Raising Aspirations in Careers and Education, Gippsland Morwell Tech School, the Victorian Department of Education, Gippsland East LLEN, Agriculture Victoria, Dairy Australia, GippsDairy, and a number of local farming and apprenticeship businesses.  

Council also extended thanks to the local farmers who opened their gates and hosted tours, giving students the chance to see today’s farming operations firsthand.

Agriculture today is no longer just about traditional roles on the land, it is an industry driven by engineering, science, technology and innovation. The Youth Agritech Expo showed how these opportunities can inspire and excite young people, sparking fresh interest in the sector. The success of the event has laid strong foundations for the future, cementing East Gippsland as a leader in nurturing the next generation of agricultural thinkers, innovators and workers.

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