The 'Resilient Farming Communities Planning for Climate Uncertainty' forum held in Boorowa attracted nearly 100 people from Boorowa, Upper Lachlan, Cowra, Wagga Wagga and beyond.
Organiser Linda Cavanagh said she was pleased with the reception of the forum.
Mrs Cavanagh is the Landcare Co-ordinator for the Boorowa Community Landcare Group. and acknowledged the funding provided by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), Boorowa Community Landcare Group and Hovells Creek Landcare Group which supports a number of activities, to promote strategies to tackle tough times, to improve ecological, economic and social wellbeing of communities.
"Landcare as a community organisation has a strong position to work as conduit between all the networks we are able to bring together," she said.
"So I'm really excited we were able to bring all these people together in the one room to have a non-threatening conversation to tackle this ongoing dry time.
"Hopefully people can leave with some information on how to implement changes and feel supported in their community," she said.
The forum addressed strategies to tackle tough times, to improve ecological, economic and social wellbeing of rural communities.
Key note speakers included John Harper, Mark Gardner, Warwick Badgery, Jacki Schirmer, Matt Lieschke and Toneya McIntosh.
Mark Gardner, director of Vanguard Business Services based in Dubbo highlighted the need for producers to understand why they were using the agricultural practices they were and what they hoped to get from them.
"Connecting and understanding deeply your "why" is really important to giving you meaning and a sense of purpose, which is a buffer through the times that we are going through," he said.
"In times of change their are no experts, we all start with the same knowledge, skills and experience. So if we share those we are all better off."
Fellow speaker Toneya McIntosh said forums like the one held in Boorowa were important for both producers and researchers.
"We get to know a lot of growers and making sure there's impact and spreading our messages is hugely important," she said.
"Making sure people feel acknowledged and heard for the individuals they are but given support is something this event has been able to provide and I'm really grateful to be part of it."
Social media comment was positive with Boorowa district landholder David Marsh complimenting the organizers.
"The mix of speakers appealed to a large audience with diverse interests," Mr Marsh wrote.
"Courageous and open hearted presenters giving personal and complex information in an easily understood form, plus plenty of humour."
Michael Gooden from Sandigo also considered the forum an outstanding success.
"Great work on putting on the day, providing the opportunity for robust discussion and sharing information," he noted on the Boorowa Community Landcare Facebook page.
