In farming, the best ideas often start with the people who live and breathe agriculture every day. That’s what makes farmer-led groups like Riverine Plains Inc. so powerful.
Riverine Plains is an independent, farmer-led organisation with over 450 members across northeast Victoria and southeast New South Wales. Our community of farmers, researchers, and industry partners work together to improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability on local farms.
Being farmer-led means everything starts with those on the ground. Feedback from members shapes our programs, research, and projects, so outcomes are practical, relevant, and have real-world impact.
Our projects focus on peer-to-peer learning, trialling new technologies, and “kicking the tyres” before you invest. We bring in technical experts, examine research, and test what works in our region. Members swap notes, learn from each other, and gain insights that help them make decisions that save time and boost profitability.
“Because we’re established and driven by farmers, we’re focused on practical outcomes, things that improve profitability, sustainability, and decision-making at the paddock level,” said Riverine Plains CEO, Pip Grant.
“Our projects reflect the realities of farming systems, translating the relevant research, science, and tech to identify short-term gains and support long-term asset management,” she added.
Riverine Plains has a dedicated team with experience across agriculture, on-farm trials, research, communications, economics, and training. Many have spent years working on farms themselves. This combination of hands-on knowledge and professional expertise ensures our projects make sense to farmers: backed by science but grounded in reality.
Direct input from farmers and advisors is key. Each year, Riverine Plains consults widely to design research projects, on-farm trials, workshops, and training programs that tackle emerging issues and opportunities. Results are shared back with members through field days, discussion groups, resources, and events, always presented in a way that’s relevant to local farm businesses.
As long-term members Peter and Mary-Anne White of White Ag, Yarrawonga, explain:
“At its core, Riverine Plains is an independent organisation driven by growers to provide timely, evidence-based information that can be implemented to improve our farms’ efficient use of resources and profitability.
“It’s also a network of like-minded farming operators who share their experiences for the benefit of their peers to ensure ongoing sustainability, growth, and success of our agricultural industry.”
Riverine Plains’ work strengthens farming communities, builds resilient landscapes, enhances farm performance, and fosters collaboration and innovation. Membership gives farmers access to:
Independent local research and on-farm trials that show what works in our region to improve productivity, sustainability, and profitability.
Peer-to-peer learning and networking, sharing real experiences, ideas, and solutions with other farmers.
Practical testing of new technologies and practices, helping you “kick the tyres” before investing.
Targeted training and professional development, including bespoke workshops, subsidised events, and expert-led sessions.
Timely insights and alerts, from local weather data to production risks, grants, compliance updates, and funding opportunities.
Access to the latest farming system knowledge, delivered through the annual Trial Book, seasonal newsletters, case studies, and a dynamic monthly email update.
Opportunities to host trials on your own farm to test products or processes.
In short, a farmer-led group is run by farmers, for farmers, with everything focused on boosting on-farm profitability, sustainability, and efficiency.
From Saturday 24 January to Sunday 15 March 2026, new Farming or Affiliate Member sign-ups will go in the draw to win a YETI esky and Riverine Plains merch pack. It’s a great bonus for joining and more importantly, a way to access the full range of practical, farmer-led benefits that support better decision-making, productivity, and profitability on farm. Already a member? Add up to five additional contacts at no cost and score one entry per added member!
By joining Riverine Plains, farmers and industry professionals become part of a strong, practical, and forward-thinking community.
To learn more or join, visit riverineplains.org.au/join, or contact Extension and Capacity Building Manager Lynn Macaulay at info@riverineplains.org.au.
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More information or interview:
Claudia Pattinson, Communications Manager, Riverine Plains claudia@riverineplains.org.au