High-tech learning bus to help farmers tackle on-farm challenges

A HIGH-tech mobile learning centre designed to help farmers explore agricultural technology will visit the region, offering hands-on demonstrations and training in the latest farm innovations.

The Farms of the Future mobile learning centre bus will appear at the North Coast Farming Forum in Clunes on Friday, May 8, before spending three days at the Primex Field Days in Lismore from May 21–23.

The purpose-built bus was launched by the state government to deliver agricultural technology education directly to regional farming communities.

It is run by a travelling group with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Senior project leader Hamish Dickson said it was an important way to engage directly with rural communities.

“The Farms of the Future program aims to help farmers determine their Agtech and connectivity needs, to confidently make a plan to purchase, install, and importantly use the data for improved decision making or peace of mind regarding farm operations,” Dickson said.

“More than 1,300 farmers around the state have already benefited from the training we have provided, and the bus will serve as an extension of this training.

 

“Bringing this high-tech bus directly to communities means we can deliver these free, in-person training sessions to even more people, close to where they live and work.”

Inside the mobile learning centre, farmers can explore virtual reality stations and interactive displays demonstrating how the tools function in real paddock environments.

The displays cover water tank monitoring systems, soil moisture probes, in-paddock weighing systems, and automated weather stations.

An outdoor demonstration area also allows attendees to interact directly with equipment, giving farmers practical insight into how the technology performs in real-world conditions.

Specialists on board will be available to help producers identify on-farm challenges, recommend suitable technology solutions, and explain how different systems can be tailored to specific farm locations, infrastructure, and operational goals.

Councils, grower and producer groups, schools, and community organisations can register interest in hosting the mobile learning centre. Primary producers can also book places in upcoming Agtech Fundamentals workshops through the NSW DPI website.