This month I had the opportunity to attend the Australasian Pacific Extension Network (APEN) Conference in Brisbane, supported by the Northern Hub as part of my Node Manager role. The theme for 2025, Tech + Extension – A Powerful Partnership for Change, brought together extension professionals, researchers, and industry leaders from across Australia and beyond to explore how technology and human connection can work hand in hand to drive meaningful change.

The sessions reinforced a message that strongly aligns with an idea that many who have been in a room with me talking extension would have heard before – true practice change begins with trust. Listening first, understanding local needs, and co-designing solutions alongside producers remain the cornerstones of effective extension in Northern Australia, and clearly throughout other states and other areas of agriculture also.  A standout quote that stuck with me was, “Don’t come to me with a solution for a problem I don’t have,”  a timely reminder that innovation must start with listening. Around half of the landmass of Australia is used for agriculture. Australian producers have been faithful stewards of the land, feeding the world for generations – it is not us who should be deciding what their problems are or what they should be changing or learning. They know their land, their processes and their pressure points better than we ever will, so lets just ask them how we can help.

Among the highlights was a presentation from Stacey Holzapfel and Mary Williams (NT DAF), who showcased the collaborative success of the Farm to Feed Forum held earlier this year. Having been part of the organising committee, it was rewarding to see this event recognised for its strong partnerships and real-world impact for producers. I was also excited to hear about the Beef Vantage Project, an initiative led by the Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub and James Cook University. The project aims to improve data-driven decision-making and profitability across the northern beef industry by using AI to distil and simplify research and related information. We often say the challenge isn’t a lack of information. The problem is knowing where to find it, how to interpret it, and how to share it effectively. Beef Vantage looks set to be a valuable tool in tackling exactly that.

Beyond these highlights, the program featured a diverse mix of sessions, from exploring how AI and emerging technologies are changing the extension landscape, to discussions around collaboration, communication and linking research with producer training. It was encouraging to see such a strong focus on partnership, accessibility, and ensuring extension continues to evolve in a way that reflects both technology and community needs.

It was also great to spend time with the WA cohort, Liz Moss from the Pilbara Innovation Partnership, Tahree Kammann from Hillside Station, and Kyrstie Bremner, Northern Hub Node Manager from the Gascoyne Catchments Group, to share knowledge and celebrate her well-deserved recognition with the APEN Award for Excellence in Extension by an Experienced Professional.

Despite ongoing challenges in the extension and adoption space, the conference reaffirmed that we’re on the right track. Genuine one-on-one engagement, listening to producers, and building relationships based on two-way trust remain the keys to achieving real, lasting impact across the Northern Territory cattle industry.