CSIRO Ag2050 Indigenous Agricultural Workforce - today, tomorrow and the future

Australia's agricultural future depends on diversity, innovation, and connection to Country. This thought-provoking panel brings together leading voices in Indigenous agriculture, science, and industry to explore how the Ag2050 initiative is helping shape a sustainable and inclusive agricultural workforce. Together, they will discuss what it means to build an Indigenous agricultural workforce that honours traditional knowledge, embraces new technologies, and creates pathways for the next generation of Indigenous leaders in agriculture.

Key themes:

• The current landscape of the Indigenous agricultural workforce in Australia
• Empowering Indigenous leadership and governance within research and industry
• Opportunities through the CSIRO Ag2050 program and "Caring for Country" initiatives
• Balancing cultural knowledge with modern innovation
• Building future-ready and place-based agricultural systems

Why Attend:

This session invites participants to reimagine what the agricultural workforce of the future could look like – one that is inclusive, culturally grounded, and scientifically advanced. You’ll gain valuable insights into how Indigenous-led innovation and partnerships are driving systemic change across Australia’s agricultural landscape.

Header image: The artwork visually expresses the values and scenarios of the CSIRO Ag2050 Caring for Country project and showcases the strength, resilience, and foresight of Indigenous communities in shaping the agricultural and environmental future of Australia.
Artist: Carissa Paglino, 2025. Carissa is a descendant of the Wanaruah people, living and working on Awabakal Country, in the City of Newcastle.

Pricing

• Free

Dates and Times

Contact

Marni Williams

More information

Seminar Titles:

Dr Rose Roche – Principal Research Scientist

Dr Roche leads Ag2050, a program reimagining how Australia's farming systems of the future can be profitable, productive, and sustainable. She is passionate about driving transformational change in agriculture through new technologies, innovative thinking, and collaboration with farmers, agribusiness, and research teams.

Nat Sommerville – past president of Australian Women in Agriculture, National Farmers Federation Director

Nat Sommerville, lives and works on Ngadjuri Country in South Australia's Mid North and past President of Australian Women in Agriculture. She is a farmer, mother, mentor and Wagadagam descendant of Mabuyag island of the Torres Strait providing a cultural lens to all that she does. Nat specializes in sustainable agriculture, natural resource management and First Nations engagement.

Cory Robertson – Managing Director at Booma Food Group Pty Ltd

Cory Robertson is the founder and Managing Director of Booma Food Group, an Indigenous-owned agritech enterprise based in the Hunter Valley. A proud Kamilaroi man, Cory combines Indigenous knowledge with cutting-edge vertical farming technology to deliver sustainable, year-round food production. Through Booma, he champions water-efficient, low-footprint farming while fostering Indigenous participation, skills development, and land regeneration. His leadership is driving innovation at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and cultural values.

Joshua Gilbert – Farmer, Author, Consultant – Indigenous Affairs, environment and sustainable Agriculture

Joshua is a Worimi man, whose family ancestors are recorded as having the first recorded birth in a cave in the Gloucester mountains. His connection to the Worimi nation stems through both his parents, tracing back to the Bugg family.

He is a socially and commercially focused, Aboriginal man with extensive experience across Indigenous affairs, the environmental sector and sustainable agriculture.