Humans of Agriculture

It's Episode 6 and our final episode as part of this collaboration with the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria as we have been celebrating the Royal Melbourne Show Online. Today's guest is Dr Joanna Newton, she has an incredibly impressive resume that this year grew with the Medal of the Order of Australia for her contribution to agriculture through her advocacy and support of young people, volunteering and contribution to dairy science. Despite growing up in metro Melbourne it was an opportunity to get involved with Agriculture at Jo's school Tintern Grammar that instilled a love and desire for the industry. Jo headed off to the University of New England in Armidale, where a chance meeting with a farmer at a formal dinner led her to completing her work experience, implementing data recording for his merino flock and what has blossomed into an incredible friendship. Jo has accomplished so much already in her career, at the age of 16 Jo was not deterred by being told she was 'too smart for agriculture' and we are so thankful she is part of the industry today. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humans-of-agriculture/message

Ed Gannon is the Editor at the Weekly times and is the Editor-in-Chief for NewsCorp Rural. He has been involved with the Royal Melbourne Show for many years, particularly as the MC and host of the Agribusiness Luncheon. Today we're finding out about Ed's story – From growing up on a dairy farm at Tinamba in Gippsland, he went off to Uni in Melbourne. By chance he was walking past the weekly times office and they had a job advert on the window – he walked in, interviewed and since 1990 he has progressed through the ranks at the Weekly Times. Without the chance to have the Agribusiness luncheon, I thought beyond just getting Ed's story I wanted to ask him some questions about Australian ag today; Took the chance to understand the - What 2020 has taught him about journalism - The Gathering of stories and best information has pushed home the fact you need to get face to face - Some of the 'significant moments'  and for ED it was seeing some of the evolution of stories into real change - Ed was the Deputy editor when Country of Origin labelling was subsequently implemented - Satisfaction in seeing young people chase an issue and make a difference - We touch on some issues like Climate change, Regenerative Ag, issue of labour & role of technology & people - Ed's comments about the role of the show and how it's changing with the times were incredibly insightful You can find out more about the show at https://royalshow.com.au/ https://royalshow.com.au/podcasts-interviews/humans-of-agriculture/ or find us at www.humansofagriculture.com Instagram @Humansofagriculture_ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humans-of-agriculture/message

Today I'm sitting down with Father son duo – Ray and Dion Brook. Ray has been involved with the Royal Melbourne Show since his first visit as a young fella in 1959. I've found it incredibly interesting over these conversations that when we're chatting about what they'll miss it keeps coming back to missing seeing those friends and the chance to meet new ones. Before we jump right into it I'll quickly apologise – we had a few sound issues in the first couple of minutes but stick with us – this chat is incredibly insightful and a couple of great perspectives to hear! Today I wanted to find out a bit more about these two so where better than a quick update on what the local footy season has done. And then we'll get into finding out about Dion & Ray · Ray finished school and became a shearer to help support the farm · In 1974 he committed to two weeks of no work to exhibit for the first time at the Royal Melbourne Show. · Why they both have worked off farm to support their farming busineses · The success for the Brooks has gone three generations with Stanley Brook winning Supreme Short horn bull in 1974, Ray winning in 1996, Dion in 1998 · The extra involvement and opportunities with the RASV · And finally; some incredible wise words about the opportunities in agriculture You can find out more about the show at https://royalshow.com.au/ https://royalshow.com.au/podcasts-interviews/humans-of-agriculture/ or find us at www.humansofagriculture.com Instagram @Humansofagriculture_ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humans-of-agriculture/message

Welcome to the Humans of Agriculture podcast in collaboration with the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) has proudly presented the Royal Melbourne Show since 1855. The Show is Victoria’s largest and most iconic annual community event, attracting around 450,000 visitors over 11 days each year and annually contributes more than $244 million in value to Victoria’s economy. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year, the Royal Melbourne Show was cancelled for only the third time in its 165 year history. Aimee has been involved with the Royal Melbourne Show her whole life with her dad first exhibiting back in 1997. She’s progressed through the ranks of exhibiting, judging and now has a critical role assisting the RASV in the facilitation of the Royal Melbourne Show Beef Cattle and Carcase Competitions. Currently working at NH Foods in Oakey, Queensland - Aimee was looking forward to the Royal Melbourne Show as a bit of a family reunion but unfortunately 2020 had other plans. Today I wanted to find out a bit more what drives Aimee and what has shaped her involved in agriculture and the Royal Melbourne show. She touches on the importance of local shows & how her love for them has been shaped by her dad The opportunity and importance of young people to get involved with show societies and the chance to join various committees and boards has helped her in her career She received the RASV Youth Travel Award and heading to the US where in true Aimee fashion she was looking at youth programs in Texas to bring back to Australia Touches on the importance of communication in how agriculture communicates with a broader audience Some of the skills she’s learnt through the Royal Melbourne Show and the various life skills that accompany it You can find out more about the show at https://royalshow.com.au/ https://royalshow.com.au/podcasts-interviews/humans-of-agriculture/ or find us at www.humansofagriculture.com Instagram @Humansofagriculture_ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humans-of-agriculture/message

Welcome to the Humans of Agriculture podcast in collaboration with the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) has proudly presented the Royal Melbourne Show since 1855. The Show is Victoria’s largest and most iconic annual community event, attracting around 450,000 visitors over 11 days each year and annually contributes more than $244 million in value to Victoria’s economy. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year, the Royal Melbourne Show was cancelled for only the third time in its 165 year history. Today we're chatting with Doug & Lorelle Deppeler to understand a bit about their story and affiliation to the Royal Melbourne Show. They're farmers from Derrinallum in South West Victoria. This year would have marked their 48th consecutive year of showing their Suffolk sheep at the show. Today we're finding out more about - How Suffolk sheep brought these two together. The rest is history… - This year they are celebrating 50 years of breeding stud sheep and so I wanted to know what it is that keeps Doug getting out of bed in the mornings to keep on going - We chat about the implementation of practices on their farm to work with nature to get the best outcomes in the environment they farm - The importance of being adaptable and being proactive in making decisions - Beyond the show ring I ask why the show is important to them and it came back to the community and seeing friends from all over Victoria - How they have had some highs and lows over the years but a really special moment for them was in 2010 winning the interbreed champion ram and ewe – no one had won the double before and it's only been done once since - The disappointment has definitely been felt this year with what would have been their 48th year attending and exhibiting at the show You can find out more about the show at https://royalshow.com.au/ https://royalshow.com.au/podcasts-interviews/humans-of-agriculture/ or find us at www.humansofagriculture.com Instagram @Humansofagriculture_ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humans-of-agriculture/message

Welcome to the Humans of Agriculture podcast in collaboration with the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) has proudly presented the Royal Melbourne Show since 1855. The Show is Victoria’s largest and most iconic annual community event, attracting around 450,000 visitors over 11 days each year and annually contributes more than $244 million in value to Victoria’s economy. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year, the Royal Melbourne Show was cancelled for only the third time in its 165 year history. After what has been an incredibly testing year for many people we are VERY excited to be celebrating the Royal Melbourne Show online. Over the next 11 days we will be hearing stories from a range of people who are all actively involved in the Show and some of them for nearly fifty years! Today I'm chatting with Jason Ronald. Jason has an incredibly impressive CV and he wears many hats. He's a farmer from the Tallarook region in Central Victoria, President of the Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society, Director for the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and most notably he received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contribution and services to the community including social welfare, cultural, political and agricultural organisations! So who better to kickstart this celebration of the show. Today we're chatting about: - Jason's story and involvement in agriculture in agriculture from a young age - His grandmothers influence on being community minded and how this has continued through for him with his involvement in many organisations over many decades - His fathers involvement at the local and Royal Melbourne Show levels - As well as understanding a bit more about the significance of the show over the years - We touch on the RASV's various awards and support programs that see people undertake international learning and development opportunities - The role of the show and the responsibility of the various committees to ensure the issues of today are what is being reflected by the Royal Melbourne Show - Towards the end I love Jason starting to talk about the role and influence of young people within agriculture and the organisations he is apart of You can find out more about the show at https://royalshow.com.au/ https://royalshow.com.au/podcasts-interviews/humans-of-agriculture/ or find us at www.humansofagriculture.com Instagram @Humansofagriculture_ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humans-of-agriculture/message

G'day! We're incredibly excited to be doing a six part series #CelebratingtheShow online this year. For only the third time in its 165 year history the Royal Melbourne Show is not going ahead at the Show grounds in Melbourne.  From Saturday the 19th of September and for the next 11 days we will be chatting with some pretty incredible people involved with the show to find out a bit more about what it means to them, and for one of  our guests, what it means to not be exhibiting at the Royal Melbourne Show for the first time in 48 years! Follow us on instagram @HumansofAgriculture_ and reach out with any questions! Tune in on Saturday morning and check out: https://royalshow.com.au/ https://royalshow.com.au/podcasts-interviews/humans-of-agriculture/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humans-of-agriculture/message

G'day and welcome to episode 27 of the Humans of Agriculture podcast. This week I'm sitting down with someone who has worked in a variety of roles in multiple countries and has been creating his own farm management business from the ground up. Mitch Highett, spent a lot of his early years growing up in Sydney but it was the love for agriculture that had him longing for chasing his dream. Not long after finishing exams he headed for America where he got his first taste of 'cowboy life' and ever since he's been building his experience in a variety of roles. As you'll pick up, Mitch's motto is "Just say yes" its led him to some amazing situations and also a precarious one on a TV dating show (not the one you're thinking) but it's all part of his story! We chat about: - The realisation early on that the family block wouldn't be enough to support him and he would need to set about going his own way - Heading to Canada and in his early 20's he was given an overseer role that saw him in charge of an incredibly diverse team including non-English speaking workers. - Returning to Australia, getting a degree and then moving into trying something different which saw him getting involved in Agriculture advisory for large organisations - Identifying his own gap in the market and developed something that could be easily understood for high net worth investors looking for an agriculture asset of their own - Mitch touches on the importance of trying things and also sometimes throwing your hat in the ring for things that may be a bit out there – as Mitch says it's about finding the thing that differentiates you from others! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humans-of-agriculture/message

Welcome to Episode 26 Today we're chatting with Sammie O'Brien – if you're a Queensland local you may recognise her from Queensland Weekender and Creek to Coast. Her work has seen her travel across the majority of Queensland, looking at everything from iconic getaways to iconic people. I can safely say it's the first time the town of Dulacca has been mentioned on the podcast but I hope it won't be the last! I found it really interesting when I asked Sammie if she actually saw herself in agriculture. Her answer was no, I don't feel like I'm doing enough. But it's exactly people like Sammie who are able to articulate the story and bring agriculture onto mobile phones and TV's across the country, for a consumer audience. Luckily, when I shared with her our definition of a human of agriculture – she actually does see herself in the industry. Today we're chatting about: - How Sammie's affinity with the country but agriculture more generally came to be - Taking some time off to and leaving the city behind to explore agriculture  with a stint as a drover and meeting friendly locals in pubs that saw her giving them a helping hand - Following her stint in the country she had a number of young girls in particular inquisitive and wanting to know more about agriculture and how it this 'trip' came about - The change of scenery and the sense of accomplishment from a 'day feeling like a day' - The perceptions from both consumers but also how industry see's the work Sammie is doing to promote the industry - Opportunities outside the farm gate for people to get involved with agriculture and she ties in the skill of storytelling with getting out there and experiencing it for herself. Make sure you head to our website www.humansofagriculture.comor to our Instagram @Humansofagriculture_ and make sure you have marked September 19 in your calendars! We're heading (virtually) to the Royal Melbourne show and celebrating the Show with 6 incredible people who have amazing stories about the importance of the Royal Melbourne Show to them and their communities. You can follow Sammie on Instagram @sammieobrien See you next week! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humans-of-agriculture/message

You can find out more on our Instagram over the coming days. Today's guest is an incredible young bloke, he's been our eyes in the sky 800km from Darwin to give us a view from the cockpit of a mustering chopper. To be honest – since I spoke with Hugh earlier this year I knew he had something different about him. I don't think there's many people I've come across who have their shit together quite as well as Hugh, let alone at the age of 22. His involvement in the business, his involvement in industry and his desire to find out more so he can make his own judgements as well as promote agriculture more broadly is down right remarkable. We chat about the journey from school the need for a degree and his one gap year that's coming on five - A little bit about the family wine making business - Some footage he saw of the cattle live export industry in 2011 and being drawn to finding out more - The passion for livestock, animal welfare and understanding more about the Australian standards we export is absolutely contagious - The curiosity to continually learn and grow his understanding of practices and being involved in community groups so he can give back The Northern beef industry, but more importantly Australian agriculture is lucky to have the heart and mind of Hugh Dawson working in it. Check out more at our instagram @HumansofAgriculture_ On Instagram and twitter you can find Hugh at - @Hpjdawson  @thelivestockcollective @youngliveex To stay across what is happening at the Royal Melbourne Show check them out @Royalmelbshow --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humans-of-agriculture/message