“Future proofing the family farm starts with honest conversations, open minded leadership and the willingness to adapt. When we can step back from emotion and look clearly at the business, we unlock new opportunities for people, planet and profit.”

A sixth generation Tasmanian farmer is calling on Australian family farms to embrace diversification, stronger community connection and proactive policy engagement to remain profitable, resilient and environmentally responsible into the future.

Anna Cotton, 2024 Nuffield Australia Scholar from Swansea, Tasmania, has released her report Future proofing the family farm, exploring the growing pressures facing family farming businesses including rising land values, climate volatility, increasing input costs and shifting consumer expectations.

Supported by Rabobank Australia, Anna’s research draws on insights from Australia and overseas, including Brazil, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, highlighting practical strategies farms are using to stay competitive while strengthening their social licence and environmental stewardship.

“Family farms remain central to Australia’s identity and our future. We manage most of the agricultural landscape, so we are also uniquely placed to influence environmental outcomes. But we cannot rely on tradition alone. We need to be proactive, listen to markets, and evolve with confidence,” Anna said.

The report outlines how diversification can reduce risk and create stability through additional income streams such as agritourism, value adding products and renewable energy, while also helping rebuild connection between urban and rural communities through on farm experiences and storytelling.

Anna also examines how policy settings can shape the future of family farms, pointing to international examples such as changes to inheritance tax in the United Kingdom and emerging tax discussions in Australia. She emphasises the importance of early succession planning and the need for clearer distinctions between passive landholding and active land management in policy design.

“The future of the family farm is bigger than any one family. It is about the people we employ, the communities we support, and the responsibility we carry as custodians of the land,” Anna said.

Anna presented her research at the 2025 Nuffield Australia National Conference in Adelaide, South Australia. Her full report is now available via the Nuffield Australia website.

2027 Nuffield Scholarship applications open 16 February

Influence what comes next in Australian agriculture.

Learn more and apply HERE