Guest panelists at the Grenfell forum included Richard Heath, General manager of research, Australian Farm Institute. Pip Job, NSW Department of Primary Industries Young Farmer Business Program acting manager of business and social resilience programs.

Grenfell woman Emily Essex, Clinical nurse specialist and owner of Grenfell Meat Barn with husband, Nev. Ian Hindmarsh, Dairy farmer, “Cumberoona”, Cowra and Jono Tuckfield, NSW Farmers service and sales manager.

Local resident, Emily Essex, a clinical nurse specialist, emergency, at Young, grew up at Grenfell, but moved to Wagga Wagga to develop her career.

Emily and husband Nev made the decision to raise their sons in a rural environment.

They relocated in January 2017 and now own and operate the local butchery.

Emily spoke about the process of buying a business including the benefits of owning your own business, as well as how she’s progressed her career while living in a country town.

The “Next Crop Forums” have brought together leading industry minds to discuss their own personal success and cutting-edge ideas which could economically benefit regional NSW towns.

This new public forum initiative – a joint venture of The Land and Good Fruit and Vegetables – is also an opportunity for the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to better engage with regional communities and how to best utilise its resource and agricultural sectors, preserve cultural heritage and nationally-significant environmental areas, and help build resilient communities.

Other locations where you can join a forum include:

Armidale, May 3; Griffith, June 7; Moree, July 5; Cobar, August 2; Yass, September 6, and Lismore, October 4.