From the Frontline at Farm World

From the Frontline at Farm World — Why Talking Safety is Saving Lives
By Joe Crilly and Royden Skeet, AirAgri

There’s something deeply humbling about shaking hands with a farmer who’s been on the land longer than we’ve been out of high school. They’ve weathered floods, fire, drought, and market crashes — and they’re still standing. But what’s been ringing through loud and clear at Farm World this week, as we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), is that resilience can’t be the only thing keeping our farmers safe. Systems, support, and modern tools are just as vital.

Farm World isn’t your average trade event. It’s where the paddock meets progress. A place where farmers roll in dusty utes, wander the stalls with their families, and talk shop — not just about yields and new gear, but the stuff that really matters. Like, what happens if I don’t come home tonight?

That’s the tough question we’ve been asking — and answering — from the AirAgri stand.

We’re here as part of the field day circuit, not just to demo tech, but to have real conversations about safety. About isolation. About the sheer unpredictability of working out the back of 5,000 acres with no phone signal and no one expecting you for hours. That’s the reality for thousands of farmers. And too often, tragedy is what it takes to change habits.

Partnering with the VFF at Farm World has given us a powerful platform to change that narrative.

When we speak alongside the VFF, we’re not just another company spruiking devices. We’re part of a movement that’s grounded in community. The VFF understands the stakes — and that trust matters. Their support has opened doors, shed light, and started conversations in tents and pavilions that might not have happened otherwise.

And what are we hearing?

We’re hearing that the old “she’ll be right” attitude is fading. We’re hearing from women managing stations while their partners are away, sons stepping up to run the family farm, and seasoned blokes who’ve had too many close calls. We’re hearing that farmers want better systems — they just haven’t known where to look.

That’s why we’re here. And that’s why Farm World matters.

We’re not just selling a safety device. We’re inviting farmers to think differently. To see safety not as compliance, but as protection for what they’ve spent their lives building — their land, their legacy, their families.

From live demos to impromptu chats by the coffee cart, this field day is about connection. It’s about education, not hard sells. And it’s about listening — because when a farmer tells you what keeps them up at night, that’s not a complaint. That’s a roadmap for innovation.

To every farmer who’s stopped by our stand, shared a story, or asked how we’re different — thank you. You’re why we’re here. You’re why we hit the road. And you’re the reason we’ll keep showing up.

Because until every farmer has the tools to come home safely — every single day — our job isn’t done.

Joe Crilly and Royden Skeet are part of the AirAgri team, working with regional communities to improve on-farm safety through technology, education, and honest conversations.