On-farm field days just got bigger and better with today's launch of the Greater Sydney Local Land Services (GSLLS) demonstration farm in the Hawkesbury.
The new farm, double the size of the old farm in nearby Southee Road, Richmond, will boast trial sites in partnership with universities and industry.
River Farm, which houses the site, is part of the original Hawkesbury Agricultural College and is still owned by Western Sydney University, the major partner in the project.
In opening the site to partners, industry and local landholders, GSLLS general manager David Hogan said the agricultural industry in Sydney wanted a single point for research partners and industry to work together.
"Ag education has come home," he said.
"We will partner with research partners and demonstrate how to make agriculture more profitable.
"There are smaller lot holders in Sydney than other regions and it is difficult for them to host field days and to take on new ways of farming because if the crop fails, it has a substantial impact on their bottom line.
"We are essentially managing the risks here."
Mr Hogan also pointed to the diversity of the grower groups in Greater Sydney.
"We're Geneva here - neutral territory - and everyone can come."
The demonstration farm on the Nepean River has irrigation licences and will host field days for local growers. Twenty workshops are planned for the next 12 months.
