The big news is that I have been accepted as one of the speakers. I am presenting a sociological evaluation of controlled traffic farming or CTF. My paper argues that farmer agency, defined as an action from a particular effect, is a collective. Farmers are not alone in achieving their crop production. My research shows that CTF is an assemblage of humans, non-humans and objects which holds power and generates effects. In this process it enrols other things into the network to explain the yield advantage. I am offering an insider researcher perspective; a shift from the traditional social research of the barriers to adoption and farmer decision-making. I will be sharing some of the 210 digital images that I have taken during my doctoral fieldwork. The southern Wimmera will be showcased.

Despite feeling slightly anxious and incredibly humbled, the chance to speak at this level shows a number things.

Firstly, I need to actively take pride in my work. My research is unique; my conference curator tells me that I am providing an intriguing topic to a non-farming tech-savvy audience that will enjoy learning about Australian farm systems.

Secondly, I'm proud of where my research originates. Federation University Australia, specifically our Horsham campus, is producing globally competitive research outcomes. The Rural Incubator for Social and Economic Research is delivering on its funding purpose to build capacity, generate research outcomes, and broaden network alliances.

And finally, we often take for granted our everyday phenomena. Controlled traffic farming is a commonly known cropping practice. It involves mathematics, soil science, technology and engineering. Yet extended beyond agricultural science, it offers knowledge about culture, economics and ideologies in rural and regional areas.