Mrs Harker and her brother are fifth-generation farmers at Vale View in Yass, a property established in 1850 that predominantly runs sheep, but also has cattle and fodder production.

A day on a bike herding sheep with her colleagues, six dogs, is a norm for Mrs Harker.

"Going out in your office and being on top of a hill out in the open, it's a wonderful lifestyle," Mrs Harker said.

"Raising our kids on horseback, chasing sheep and cattle and having appreciation of where their food comes from, how it's grown and the connection with the land I think it's really important."

Mrs Harker, who had a career in investment banking and human resources, said she and her brother chose to return to the family business after pursuing other opportunities.

"We both had a career first and then we came back so we could raise our kids so they could be part of the farm and know where their food is coming from," she said.

"I said to my daughters, 'if we didn't own a farm, would you have had a farm experience?' and they said no."

Unlike Mrs Harker and her family, many Australians feel disconnected with the farming and agricultural industry. About 83 per cent of Australians describe their connection with farming as 'distant' or 'non-existent', according to a poll by the National Farmers Federation.

"I think it's time we start educating people about the importance of agriculture in their everyday lives, and how many jobs and families the industry supports," she said.

"I think that it's not very transparent and people may not be aware of the extent of how many people are actually employed as a result of agriculture and I think just connecting them back to realising that agriculture is not a thing of the past. It's a growing industry, both financially and size wise."

An average farmer feeds up to 400 Australians and 600 people around the globe.

President of the National Farmers' Federation Fiona Simson said the figures were cause for alarm.

"We live in one of the most urbanised countries in the world, but that doesn't mean food and fibre production should simply be 'out of sight, out of mind'," Ms Simson said.

"Agriculture is an essential ingredient in every meal on our plates, and every natural fibre on our backs."

She said farming was a driving force of the Australian economy, generating 1.6 million jobs across the supply chain. Ms Simson said the biggest misconception was agriculture was a thing of the past.

"The reality is it's a critical piece of Australia's economic future," she said.

"In fact, we're on track to be Australia's next $100 billion industry, having reached a record $60 billion farm gate return last financial year."

The release of the figures comes ahead of National Agriculture Day, an initiative aimed at reconnecting Australians with the story of agriculture.

The survey also found 57 per cent of Australians have had no contact with a farmer in the past year.

"On National Agriculture Day we're looking to fix that, by connecting every Australian with the story of agriculture and the farmers that make it happen," Ms Simson said.

Mrs Harker said she hoped the event would create more awareness within the community.

"I'm really glad that they're doing these national agriculture day," she said. "I think it is time to put more emphasis on and share with the rest of Australia what agriculture does for Australia in terms of jobs, growth, and the amount of money it actually earns."

National Agriculture day is on Tuesday, November 21. Canberrans can celebrate at AgDay BBQ at the National Farmers Federation house in Barton. Details: www.agday.org.au