United Nations Sustainable Development
Goal 2: Zero hunger
Events for local farmers and food producers. Provide events for local farmers and food producers to connect and transfer knowledge.
UniSC actively engages with local farmers and food producers through a variety of events designed to foster knowledge transfer and collaboration. These events include free workshops, seminars, and field days that focus on sustainable agriculture and aquaculture practices. For instance, UniSC frequently hosts free workshops on topics such as soil health, water management, and innovative farming techniques, providing hands-on learning experiences that are directly applicable to local farming conditions.
In addition to workshops, UniSC organizes free seminars that bring together experts from academia, industry, and the farming community. These seminars often feature guest speakers who are leaders in their fields, offering insights into the latest research and technological advancements. Such events not only provide valuable information but also create opportunities for farmers to network with peers and experts, fostering a community of practice that supports ongoing learning and innovation.
Field days are another key component of UniSC’s outreach efforts. These free events are typically held on local farms or research sites and offer farmers the chance to see new technologies and practices in action. Field days often include demonstrations of sustainable farming techniques, such as integrated pest management or precision agriculture, allowing farmers to observe the benefits firsthand and ask questions in a real-world setting.
UniSC’s annual Sustainability Week is a vibrant free event that brings together researchers, staff, students, and the wider community (including local farmers) to celebrate and promote sustainability initiatives. The week features a variety of activities, including documentary screenings, panel discussions, a citizen’s assembly on climate anxiety, career events focused on green jobs, bike clinics, and exhibitions. Participants can engage in hands-on activities like planting native flora and learning about sustainable cooking.
UniSC is part of the Sunshine Coast's Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) and actively participates in numerous events annually. In 2023, UniSC led an initiative to enable trade, investment and networking between Australia and Cambodia via an official delegation from Cambodia. The delegation had the opportunity to visit and meet several agri-food local stakeholders, FAN members, along with UniSC staff shared knowledge, expertise and the FAN model. The delegation was part of the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development, funded by the Australian government for a 5 year period (2022-2027).
To stay informed about these events, local farmers and food producers can regularly check UniSC’s community events page. This page is updated with information about upcoming workshops, seminars, and field days, ensuring that stakeholders have access to the latest opportunities for learning and collaboration. By participating in these events, farmers can enhance their knowledge, adopt new technologies, and build networks that support sustainable and productive agricultural practices.
Summary
The University of the Sunshine Coast hosts free workshops, seminars, and field days to connect local farmers and food producers, facilitating knowledge transfer and collaboration on sustainable agriculture and aquaculture practices.