Humans of Agriculture

Tess Cook grew up on her families beef property in Queensland. When she was on stage at evokeAG, she mentioned the challenge and lack of understanding of different career pathways in Ag. Now this is so interesting because it’s being talked about a lot, but talking isn’t solving much - we want to know more to see what we can do! Tess recently moved to Matamata, New Zealand, to begin her career as a vet and we can’t wait to follow her career! 00:00 Tess Cook's Journey to Veterinary Medicine10:08 Challenges in Agricultural Career Pathways16:58 The Future of Agriculture and Workforce SolutionsResources & Contact:Learn more about the Horizon Scholarship and how it supports young people in agriculture.Stay updated with evokeAG and similar industry events.Follow Humans of Agriculture for more inspiring stories from the industry.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at hello@humansofagriculture.com. Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!

We’re sitting down with Lauren Roellgen this week. She wears a few different hats including aa an Associate Director at LAWD, a farmer-in-training on her family farm, and the Chair of the Future Farmers Network. She shares her family’s inspiring journey from Germany to Australia, how they built a successful cotton farming enterprise, and the modern challenges of succession planning, sustainability, and innovation in agriculture.In this episode, you will hear:- Lauren's family journey from Germany to Australia- The Evolution of Tyuna Farming- Her parents becoming Cotton Growers of the Year- Lauren's Career in Agribusiness & the Decision to Return Home- Succession Planning & The Future of Australian Cotton- The Future Farmers Network & Supporting Young People in Ag- Balancing Multiple Roles in AgricultureTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Lauren03:06 The Family Farm and Its Legacy05:51 Transitioning Back to Farming08:48 Career Path and Professional Experience11:52 The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture15:04 The Impact of Succession Planning18:12 Recognition and Achievements in Cotton Farming21:07 Sustainability and Innovation in Agriculture23:45 Future Farmers Network and Its Evolution27:03 Balancing Multiple Roles in Agriculture30:04 Advice for Future Generations in AgricultureThis episode is in paid partnership with Cotton Australia. Humans of Agriculture retains editorial control of the content. 📢 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend, leave a review, and let us know your thoughts at hello@humansofagriculture.com! 

EvokeAg is one of the premier events for agrifood tech and innovation, and this year’s edition in Brisbane took things to a new level. In this episode, Oli catches up with Harriet Mellish, General Manager at AgriFutures Australia, to unpack what went into making EvokeAg 2025 a success, the evolving conversations in the agri-tech space, and how the event itself operates like a startup—iterating and improving each year.In this episode, you will hear about:- EvokeAg as a Startup - What Worked in 2025 - Emerging Themes & Industry Conversations - Engaging the Next Generation - What’s Next for EvokeAg?Chapters:00:00 Post-Event Reflections and Planning Ahead02:46 Feedback and Innovations from EvokeAg 202505:50 Engaging the Next Generation in Agriculture08:53 The Role of EvokeAG in the Agricultural Ecosystem12:05 Evolving Conversations in Agriculture15:04 Looking Ahead: Future Trends and InnovationsFollow Humans of Agriculture on Instagram & LinkedInSubscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Liz Stott, a cotton grower and Deputy Chair of Cotton Australia, shares her expertise on sustainable innovations in the cotton industry. She highlights educational initiatives like Camp Cotton that connect farmers with consumers. Jim Gall, CEO of RB Sellars, discusses the brand’s shift towards incorporating Australian-grown cotton into their garments, emphasizing the importance of sustainability. They also dive into the power of storytelling in agriculture, aiming to enhance brand integrity and consumer confidence in local farming practices.

I first met Ed Currenti in the sheep yards at Mount Hesse, over more than 15 years we've stayed in touch and followed each others journeys closely.Ed is the General Manager at Prestige Foods, in our chat he shares his journey from a city upbringing to a successful career in agriculture and food production. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the role of education in understanding food sources, and the innovative practices at Prestige Foods. The conversation highlights the significance of building relationships within the industry, the challenges of managing teams, and the future opportunities in food production. Ed emphasizes the need for better connections between producers and consumers, and the importance of storytelling in the food industry.I've known Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ed Currenti and His Journey03:03 Early Influences and Passion for Food05:37 Education and Career Path Decisions08:54 The Role of Mentorship in Career Development11:40 Transitioning from University to the Workforce14:37 Experiences in Sales and Business Development17:45 Innovative Ideas and Career Opportunities20:54 Management Style and Learning from Experience25:31 Navigating Challenges During COVID-1926:46 Transforming Company Culture29:01 Understanding Prestige Food Australia30:20 The Rise of Bone Broth31:59 Collaboration with Chef James Viles34:06 Bridging the Gap in the Food Chain35:16 Vision for Growth in Food Manufacturing36:10 Creating Links Between Producers and Consumers38:48 Innovative R&D Strategies39:55 Promoting Career Pathways in Agriculture43:55 Educating the Next Generation on Food Sources

Joining us from his ute on top of a hill during a busy week of shearing is the 2025 Zanda McDonald Award winner from Australia, Jack O'Connor. Jacko is the General Manager at his family mixed farming operation, Oxton Park. His career has seen him working on farms in developing countries such as Uganda, in the Head Office for Meat and Livestock Australia and now back home in Harden, NSW.In this chat we cover;The moment he found out he won the award from the shearing shedreflecting on his life-changing experiences in Uganda The pride he has in the family businessThe community of Harden and the role of sport in the local community.Jack also mentions - The Schools for Life project and the Manjeri School Project.

Maegen Blom is the Operations Manager within her family owned business Mills Bay Mussels. She is the 2025 Zanda McDonald Award winner from New Zealand, so we thought we would love to get to know a bit more about her and share it with you! We cover: How she found out that she'd won, a bit more about the vertically integrated business selling direct to businesses and households, her role and passion for supporting and promoting the aquaculture industry in New Zealand and what the year ahead has in store.

In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, host Oli Le Lievre sits down with fourth-generation pineapple farmer Bert Harris. From his family's century-long farming legacy in Queensland to the modern-day challenges of growing pineapples, dragon fruit, and pumpkins, Bert shares insights into the evolution of farming, his deep connection to the land, and the future of Australian agriculture.Highlights: – Bert’s family has been growing pineapples for nearly 100 years, adapting to urban expansion and evolving farming techniques.– Labor shortages, unpredictable weather, and shifting market demands shape the realities of farming today.– From hand-harvesting with horses to modern mechanization, Bert reflects on the technological changes in farming.– Growing up between Brisbane, the Torres Strait, and Cairns, Bert shares how his experiences shaped his passion for agriculture.– The importance of making pineapples more approachable and increasing awareness of Australian-grown produce.Resources & Links🌍 Follow Humans of Agriculture – Website | Instagram📸 Connect with Bert Harris – bertharrisThumbnail photo credit: Eloise Yates - eloise_yates25Enjoyed the episode? Share it with a friend, leave a review, and let us know what you’d love to hear next at hello@humansofagriculture.com!

What does world-class gelato have to do with agriculture? A whole lot, as it turns out and a world of flavour! In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, host Oli Le Lievre sits down with Steve Arnold and Keegan Ryan from Gelato Messina, one of Australia's most iconic gelato brands. With over 30 stores across the country, Messina isn’t just about delicious scoops—it’s a vertically integrated food business, growing its own ingredients and sourcing directly from Australian farms. Steve, a former chef-turned-Director of Agriculture, shares how he transitioned from finance and property into farming. Keegan, who built his career in horticulture, talks about the innovation and experimentation happening on Messina’s farms.From hazelnuts and mint to dairy cows and beekeeping, the team is committed to quality, sustainability, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in food production.In this episode you will hear about:How Messina built a fully integrated supply chain from farm to shopThe role of experimentation and failure in their successThe impact of COVID-19 on their business and how they adaptedThe philosophy of trying new things (even when there’s no set plan!)The surprising ways farming and food retail intersectWhether you’re a gelato lover, a farmer, or just curious about how great food is made, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration!Chapters00:00 The Gelato Messina Journey02:54 From Chef to Agriculture Director06:10 Embracing Failure and Learning09:01 Vertical Integration in Agriculture11:50 Experimentation and Growth15:01 Sourcing Ingredients and Local Partnerships17:59 The Importance of Human Capital21:00 Connecting with Consumers24:01 The Unique Business Model of Gelato MessinaGuest Bios💡 Steve Arnold – Director of Agriculture at Gelato Messina. Former chef and corporate executive who transitioned into farming to ensure the brand’s high-quality ingredients.🌱 Keegan Ryan – Experienced farmer and horticulturist who helps drive innovation on Messina’s farms, growing everything from hazelnuts to fresh mint for their gelato.Links & ResourcesGelato Messina WebsiteFollow Humans of Agriculture on Instagram & LinkedInSubscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

In this week of Humans of Agriculture we have the pleasure of catching Paul Niven. Paul has come back to Australia after a  long career working within China’s dairy industry. He’s a seasoned agricultural leader with a wealth of experience  agribusiness and international consulting. He paints a picture of how his small roots from growing up on a farm in Central New South Wales eventually lead to working in China’s rapidly evolving dairy industry.Paul provides unique insights into the challenges and opportunities of farming in China, the cultural adaptations required, and the lessons he brought back to Australia after over a decade abroad. From navigating five-year strategic plans to implementing major operational efficiencies, Paul’s story is one of adaptability, leadership, and lifelong learning.In this episode you will hear about:Paul’s Early Years – Growing up on a farm in NSW and the early ambitions that led him into veterinary science and consulting.The Leap to China – What led Paul to leave Tasmania’s VDL Farms for a senior role in China’s dairy sector.Operating at Scale – Managing 16,000+ milking cows, modernizing dairy operations, and handling wastewater treatment challenges.Cultural Adaptation – Moving his family from Tasmania to Beijing and the personal challenges of adjusting to life in China.Lessons in Leadership – The Chinese approach to efficiency, compliance, and rapid innovation, and how Australian agriculture can learn from it.Returning to Australia – Why Paul made the decision to come home and what’s next for him in Australian agribusiness.Advice for Young Professionals – Why agriculture offers global career opportunities, and why young people should "just do it" when it comes to working overseas.Subscribe and Review: Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more listeners passionate about agriculture and the incredible people behind it!