Kangaroo Island
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Tools & Tech Session – Notes for using AI for farming

Taking records and making decisions – key takeaways

1) Getting started (ChatGPT / Claude / Gemini)

  • Create an account so you can save chats and adjust settings.
  • Start on the free version; upgrade only if you hit limits.

Begin with simple tasks (summaries, checklists, planning).

2) Personalise it for your farm

  • Add 2–3 lines of context (enterprise, location, goals).
  • Ask for practical outputs (dot points, checklists, tables).
  • If something is unclear: “ask me questions”.

If it feels off: “what did you assume?”

3) What does a “good prompt” look like?

  • Role + task + context + output format.
  • Be specific about timeframe (e.g., “next 7 days”).
  • Ask for priorities and risks, not just a summary.

Provide what you have; ask it to request missing details.

4) Work with Projects (recommended)

  • A Project is like a folder: keep chats + files for one topic together.
  • Add your ‘rules’ once (tone, format, what “good” looks like).
  • Drop in PDFs, spreadsheets, photos, voice-note transcripts.

Create one Project per job (Farm Notes, Maintenance, Bushfire).

5) Two prompt examples to copy

  • “Here are my notes from this week. Summarise key observations and make a 7-day action checklist (priority order). Flag risks and questions.”

“Build a simple machinery maintenance schedule for our farm. Ask me the minimum questions you need first.”

6) Use AI responsibly

  • Don’t paste sensitive info (or turn off data sharing first).
  • Double-check important outputs; you stay accountable.
  • Use it to organise information, then apply your judgement.

If it sounds too confident, ask for options or sources.

Practical guide – how to apply AI on your farm

A simple workflow: capture → organise → decide

Step 1 – Set up + settings

  • Create an account so you can save chats and use Projects.
  • Settings / Data controls: switch off data sharing if you prefer.

Start with one tool (ChatGPT or Claude) and keep it simple.

Step 2 – Add your farm context

  • Paste a short “About my farm” note once per Project.
  • Ask for plain English + short dot points.

Tell it: “check assumptions and ask questions first”.

Step 3 – Use the prompt recipe

  • Role: “You are my farm admin assistant.”
  • Task + timeframe: “Create a 7-day plan.”
  • Inputs: paste notes/photos/tables (or describe them).

Output: checklist + priorities + risks + questions.

Step 4 – Build a Project for each job

  • Examples: Farm Notes, Maintenance, Bushfire Plan, Soil Tests.
  • Drop in PDFs/spreadsheets/photos/transcripts (voice notes are powerful).

Ask for a summary + action list you can update each week.

Ready-to-copy prompts (edit the brackets)

  • Weekly notes → actions: “Here are my notes from this week: [paste]. Summarise key observations. Make a 7-day action checklist (priority order). Flag risks and questions.”
  • Maintenance schedule: “Create a simple maintenance schedule for [machines]. Include frequency and checks. Ask me the minimum questions you need first.”

Bushfire plan: “Help me draft a bushfire plan for our property. Start with a checklist (before / during / after). Ask what information you need from me to tailor it.”

If the answer looks wrong: ask “What did you assume?” and “What do you need from me?” Then ask for 3 options with pros/cons.

Try this this week

  • Start a Project called “Farm Notes”. Paste your context once.
  • Paste one week of notes and ask for a 7-day plan (priority order).
  • After a paddock walk, record a quick voice note; transcribe and ask for: Observations / Actions / Risks.

Delivered by Ben Finkel (ARAIN) • 30 March 2026 • Kingscote
Contact: Joaquin Pillado | Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator (KILB) | P 0437 172 877 | joaquin.pillado@sa.gov.au 

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