Humans of Agriculture

Ashley Severin and his wife Lyndee call Curtin Springs in Australia's Northern Territory home. The family has embraced generational opportunity in diversifying the 1 million acre cattle station to other means. They've successfully established and run a tourism business, support local tours, an on-farm restaurant and have explored value add opportunities for their beef cattle.This episode is one of our episodes profiling various Nuffield Farming Scholars. In this chat we cover:Living and working in a remote location requires resilience and adaptability.Diversification is key to surviving in the beef industry during challenging times.The development of tourism can provide additional income and opportunities for remote communities.Aerial mustering can be an efficient and cost-effective method for managing cattle.Participating in programs like the Nuffield scholarship can provide valuable knowledge and insights.The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the tourism industry, leading to changes in attitudes and behaviors.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and background 06:42 Early Years at Curtin Springs13:06 Ashley's Nuffield Scholarship and Travels23:38 The Impact of COVID-19 on TourismNuffield episode sponsor:A message from this episode sponsor, ANZ Agribusiness:Farming in Australia is never without opportunity, nor challenge. From season to season, and from day to day, producers manage a myriad of risks and rewards as they produce the vast range of commodities global markets now demand. At ANZ Agribusiness, we’ve been supporting farmers to take opportunities and manage through challenges for over 150 years. We’re a proud and long term partner of Nuffield Australia, supporting its goal of capacity building for producers, their businesses, industry and rural community. Our network of regionally based Agribusiness bankers are ready to support both our existing customers, and any farming business seeking a review of their banking arrangements at any time. Find your local ANZ Agribusiness manager now.

Jane Snell left a world of Fine Dining to pursue a career in Dairy Farming. As part of our Partnership with Dairy Australia, we are learning more about the Dairy industry and we wanted to understand how her journey has shaped her career today.We cover:Dairy farming can be a rewarding career that offers variety and challenges.Compassion and being an active team member are important qualities in the dairy industry.The beauty of dairy farming lies in the connection with cows and the satisfaction of producing a quality product.The industry is evolving with the introduction of new technologies.Building a strong team and empowering employees is crucial for the success of a dairy farmIf you want to find out more about a career in dairy, head to dairyjobsmatter.com.au Agriculture careers, Careers in Agriculture, Careers, dairy farming, fine dining, passion, compassion, team, challenges, rewards, technology

Courtenay DeHoff, aka the Fancy Lady Cowgirl, is in Australia for the National Cutting Horse Association Futurity event. Thanks to our friends over at The Regional PR Co, we've managed to bring her into The Commons in Sydney to share her story with our Aussie audience.In this conversation we explore her upbringing as a local Kansas cowgirl, when the opportunity came to explore career pathways she was drawn to the bright lights and opportunity of Television.Her life now has taken her full circle, with a skillset incredibly unique and an outlook that's positive for the Agriculture sector, Courtenay is shaping the narrative that Agriculture is diverse, it is inclusive and no matter who you are or where you're from, you can pursue a career in this incredible sector.We also talk about:the courage to embrace her inner cowgirlher mission to welcome others into the cowgirl/cowboy lifestyleThe importance of pursuing your true callingThe influence of pop culture on the perception of agriculture and the challenges and opportunities if the industry embraces itChapters:00:00 The Journey of the Fancy Lady Cowgirl: Embracing Authenticity and Identity08:37 Returning to Agriculture: Values, Work Ethic, and Lifestyle14:41 The Impact of Storytelling in Agriculture: Shaping Narratives and Impacting Change20:44 Embracing the Cowgirl Spirit: Identity and Empowerment25:20 The Importance of Sharing the Story of Agriculture30:06 Challenges and Opportunities in Agriculture, Fancy Lady Cowgirl, agriculture, Kansas, television, mainstream media, storytelling, authenticity, courage, identity, lifestyle, career, values, work ethic, agriculture stories, agriculture, cowgirl spirit, empowerment, storytelling, popular culture, challenges, perception, mental health, opportunities

We were recently given the opportunity to host a conversation at the Norco, PrimeX field days. In 2023 Norco and the National Farmers Federation released a report: The National Farmer Wellbeing ReportWhen it comes to mental health, farmers in Rural Australia face disproportionately high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide. As part of our work at Humans of Agriculture, we want to use our platform to have conversations that matter and this one is incredibly important.In this episode, Warren shares his personal experiences; achieving the dream of being a dairy farmer, and subsequently losing it as he faced various natural disasters. With the support of professionals, family and friends, Warren got his life back on track however it wasn't as a farmer. He physically and metaphorically closed that gate and chapter of his life, and his new persona took off - the unbreakable farmer.Warren Davies is not just any average Farmer. There is more to this farmer than meets the eye. His eventful life has tested his Resilience, Persistence and Determination. All having a massive impact on his young family, relationships and finances. But this has made Warren the Farmer he is today - The Unbreakable Farmer.If you or someone you know, is requiring support the service can be reached on 1800 936 229Other helpful services if you are in need of support include:Lifeline 13 11 14 TIACS 0488 846 988

It's a foggy May morning in Beaufort, 150kms west of Melbourne. We grab a coffee and head towards the first of the latest properties that the team at Go.FARM was acquired only a few months earlier, getting a better understanding of the Agronomist who spent his childhood not too far down the highway. As we tour the property, we quickly pull over, Liam jumps out and 'throws off the city boots' and begins picking up a few stray pieces of timber and baling twine. Evidence that the little things matter in the big picture. Liam started his career as an Agronomist and has since made a considerable impact. He shares the opportunity to be in the room and learn from the great Jim Collins and the miles he'd travel early in his career to pursue both a personal life and a professional life.When it was evident that the opportunity to be part of the family farm wasn't there, Liam pursued his interests and sought to become a farmer slightly differently. It's fair to say he's creating his own luck. "the origin of GoFarm is under-utilised and under-capitalised assets scattered across the landscape, ultimately to no one's benefit. And if we can find the best of those and turn them around, we can generate great investment returns, but we can also generate a lot of good."The role of agriculture in transforming Australian society and economyThe impact of institutional investment on the agriculture sectorThe importance of responsible agriculture and its impact on communities and the economyThe significance of courage and urgency in business and career decisionsThe culture of high-performing teams and their role in driving agricultural innovation and growthChapters00:00 Introduction to Hanna Go Farm and the Agriculture Industry19:37 The Impact of Institutional Investment on Agriculture28:11 Responsible Agriculture and Sustainable Communities37:22 The Role of Courage and Urgency in Business42:04 The Future of Agriculture: Trends and Opportunities

This special spotlight is on a support service that is too important not to know about. We met Ross Blanch a member of the Farmer to Lifeline Farmer support program. He's been a lifeline volunteer for more than 31 years and in the past 4 years since starting the Farmer to Lifeline Farmer help line he's answered more than 4,000 calls from Aussie Farmers.If you can share this with a friend, that would be incredible.If you or someone you know, is requiring support the service can be reached on 1800 936 229Other helpful services if you are in need of support include:Lifeline 13 11 14 TIACS 0488 846 988

Tom and Mick interview Jeremy Cummins, a professional cattle buyer and feedlotter. Jeremy shares his background in the industry, his experience working with his uncle, and his transition into feedlotting. He discusses the types of cattle he buys and the markets he targets. Jeremy also talks about the current sentiment in the cattle market and his predictions for the future. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the Beef Week event and the networking opportunities it provides.

In 2020, Harry Lloyd was a little lost. He had just finished University and couldn't chase his dream of being a cowboy in America due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, we'djust started the Humans of Agriculture Podcast and Harry was recommended to listen, which turned out to be a pretty pivotal moment for him.  "The one thing I took away from the podcast is to say yes. Plan A's not going to happen anytime soon, so I'll just start saying yes to opportunities and see where it leads me."Harry grew up in Kyabram, Victoria, where he calls the safest place on the planet. He loved his upbringing on his family's dairy farm and now calls Kyabram home again, farming in partnership with his brother.  Tragically, Harry's life was turned on it's head at the age of 18 when his Dad suddenly passed away. The community rallied around his family and helped them milk cows as they navigated what happened to the farm and their cattle.  At the time, he didn't himself in farming and instead was going into Sports Management at University. But soon into his course, he was missing the farm and found himself more interested in his mates Agribusiness course. So he made the switch. He found his niche passion in regenerative agriculture and how to look after animals, paddocks and the planet more broadly.  "I was conscious about the idea of farming in a way that not only is sustainable, but also benefits the environment and improves it for those future generations." Harry wants to do things differently, while being mindful that you can't be sustainable if you're not profitable and you can't throw away everything that we've learned over the years.  "The opportunity to trial so many different things is why I like agriculture. Especially dairy, because you can do something and you'll see the results the very next day."  This episode is delivered in a Paid partnership with Dairy Australia, if you're interested in a Career in Dairy - head to Dairy Jobs Matter00:00 Introduction and Impact of Humans of Agriculture Podcast04:20 Growing Up in Kyabram and Community Involvement08:14 Family Farm and Dealing with Tragedy09:39 Career Path and Interest in Regenerative Agriculture14:24 Learning and Working on Different Farms29:30 Opportunities in Dairy Farming for Young People33:47 Find your Career in Dairy at Dairyjobsmatter.com.au

Jodie Redcliffe studied Psychology, can speak fluent Japanese, is a mother of three and her first memories in agriculture are feeding poddy calves on her Pa’s dairy farm. There’s a lot to unpack in this episode! As a youngster, Jodie moved around regional Queensland as her father worked in pigs and poultry. “He actually liked pigs a lot more than poultry. And then ironically, I married a chook farmer, which kinda was a little weird to begin with.”If there is someone in your network who is a Nuffield Scholar, you would be privy to just how much they boast about the program. Almost exactly 10 years ago, Jodie was a Nuffield Scholar herself and is now the CEO of Nuffield Australia. She speaks about her Nuffield learnings and they’re ever evolving, just like industry best-practices. "The trouble is when you bring everybody up, it just lifts above everybody else, so it's a constant process of improvement."Jodie continues to learn from her global travels and the people in the Nuffield network. For anyone in the Humans Of Agriculture Community considering their own Nuffield, this podcast will serve as a source of inspiration and a bit of a FAQ! Jodie's story is part of our partnership with the Nuffield Australia - Nuffield Scholar program - Where we are shining a light on some of the incredible stories of some of their scholars.

Adam DeMamiel is the CEO, Director and Co-Founder of Boys To The Bush, a charity which supports vulnerable youth with intensive programs. His role has changed over the years so now he's not the one running the programs, but empowering others around him to do so. Having his staff find reward from the work they do with kids and speak passionately about their work is what fills Adam's cup.  "I'm not actually working with the kids these days. But for me now, it's just hearing all these stories of success that I know nothing about and have nothing to do with."Adam grew up in regional New South Wale. His upbringing instilled values and morals in him which he projects throughout his work with kids who aren't subject to the love and support he was. Often these kids are subject to trauma that is genuinely shocking and tragic, so please take caution when listening to this episode and seek help if you need it, we've linked some resources at the bottom of the show notes.  "We're doing what a lot of parents would do for their kids, but for whatever reason, they can't."Adam speaks candidly of his own battles with mental health over the years and the tragic loss of his sister. A teacher by trade, Adam didn't love his time at University, but he did love the Special Needs classes, and that's what started the sequence of events for him to start Boys To The Bush. He describes the kids he works with as having been let down a million times by the system or the people in their lives. They're kids that the education system isn't set up for."They're reminded too many times of all the stuff they can't do and will probably never be able to do or want to do." "It's bloody hard work. It's not for everyone. You've got to have a thick skin, because often these kids will do everything they can to get you to bugger off." Adam has some incredible stories from individuals and farming communities they have had impact in. "The kids are the vehicle to us accessing the community and helping the community."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Boys to the Bush04:11 Starting Boys to the Bush and Early Challenges13:48 Transition from Teaching to Boys to the Bush29:43 Funding and Support for Boys to the Bush If you need help:Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800Lifeline - 13 11 14More resources hereThis episode is part of a partnership with Rabobank.