Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story

A childhood on the family farm in Central West NSW is where a fearless agribusiness woman was born. Whether her clients are looking for storytelling strategy, or systems – Brooke Watts is helping rural organisations and communities to realise their dreams. Whether it be on the speaking circuit, running workshops or youth programs, she is passionate about enriching the future of agriculture. To learn more, founder of Business with Brooke, Brooke Watts joins me now. Brooke shares some of her favourite places in country Australia, from her family farm to the many regional communities she has visited throughout her career, and explains why wide-open spaces will always hold a special place in her heart. Growing up on a farm shaped Brooke in ways she didn't fully appreciate at the time, and she reflects on the journey that ultimately led her back to the land. Brooke explains how she launched Business with Brooke and the work she does through workshops, consulting, and capacity-building programs designed to support regional businesses. She shares the story behind her brand, including the courage it took to step into a full-time business role and pursue a career helping others bring their ideas to life. Having worked with a diverse range of rural communities, Brooke discusses the lessons she has learned and the common thread that makes regional Australia so special — its people. Brooke highlights the many opportunities available to the next generation considering a career in agriculture and regional industries, and the importance of helping young people understand the pathways open to them. She shares what she loves most about contributing to the agricultural sector and supporting the growth of regional communities. Brooke addresses common misconceptions about regional careers, including the belief that agriculture is an industry you must be born into, and explains why there is so much room for innovation and new ideas. She reflects on some of the most unexpected moments and successes since launching Business with Brooke. Looking ahead, Brooke shares her ultimate dream for the future and the impact she hopes to continue making across regional Australia. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus. Links: Angie Asimus Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram Partnered with Australian Farmers Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram Connect with Brooke on Instagram Business with Brooke Produced by Pretty Podcasts

One Family. One Flock. That's the extraordinary history that belongs to the Dennis family. Since 1840, each generation has added their own touch to this unique sheep farm and historic homestead, Tardwarncoort in south-western Victoria. It's also home to Australia's first breed of sheep – the Polwarth. And everyone is invited to share in the property's rich history with accommodation and a wool shop open to the public. To learn more, Tom Dennis of the place affectionately known as Tarndie, joins me now. Tom's favourite place on the farm is the courtyard. His family history on the property goes back to 1840, and they are now the 6th generation on the farm. Tom gets us up to speed on what has been happening in the family's farm operation. Adapting and "farming people," as Tom says. The history of the farm and how it has evolved over the generations, beginning with three brothers. The Polwarth breed of sheep, and how this same flock is still flourishing today. Their wool is naturally coloured, and the 1970s played a role in influencing this special adaptation. The Tarndwarncoort Wool Shop is open four days a week, and they also host guests on the farm. The changes in weather and climate over the generations and the pivots the family has made. Tom didn't expect to live his life on the land, but he shares how his passion for tourism grew over time and eventually brought him back home. The historic homestead, including the preservation and conservation efforts. Reflecting on the last 185 years, and how the family is preserving its history and name. Tom loves the opportunity to meet people and to be creative. He has been surprised by how his love for sheep has grown over the years. Succession planning—the process and the reasons behind their approach. Agritourism and the common misconceptions surrounding it. The most unexpected aspect? Tom has learned to knit! The ultimate future for Tarndwarncoort. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus. Links: Angie Asimus Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram Partnered with Australian Farmers Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram Learn more about Tardarncoort Produced by Pretty Podcasts

Behind every piece of food we eat and fibre we wear, there is not only a farmer, but a scientist solving the ever-changing puzzle that is agriculture. Whether it be adapting to changes in climate or bolstering natural capital. Paris Capell is a passionate young agricultural professional who is helping to make a meaningful mark on the future of farming, and she joins me now. Paris' favourite place is being in the 'living classroom of home'. Realising agriculture was her path while working at the local pool in summer. She started wondering where the dust settling in the pool was coming from and, if it was her family farm. She holds a degree in environmental science and is undertaking a Masters as the science evolves with the times we're living in. Paris explains that 80% of Australia is arid or semi-arid, and environmental impacts are having major effects on the land. She feels proud when she steps onto farms, learning from and working alongside other farmers. Paris explains the concept of carbon farming and natural capital. She is part of the NFF's National Agricultural Leadership Program and is passionate about the connections, the policy space, and future opportunities. Paris discusses Australian Carbon Credits and how carbon can be used to support sustainability in farming. In her current role with NSW DPI, she assesses climate-vulnerable crops and livestock and works on promising adaptation strategies. Paris loves the direct impact she can have on the land and the diversity her role offers. A common misconception in the Carbon and Natural Capital space is that farm holders are really passionate about looking after natural assets. Every day out in the field brings something unexpected for Paris. Paris' ultimate dream for the future. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus. Links: Angie Asimus Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram Partnered with Australian Farmers Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram Connect with Paris Capell Produced by Pretty Podcasts

Tariffs are a bit of a buzz word right now. But what do they really mean for our farmers? The answer is – they can be good and bad. Who better to break it down for us than Julia Hausler. She runs a successful family farm, and holds influential roles within industry body GrainGrowers. Julia is a tireless advocate for economic and social opportunities in her part of the world, Victoria's Wimmera region. To learn more Julia joins me now. Julia's favourite place on the family farm is the creek, as it transforms throughout the years. She assists with the marketing, logistics, HR, financial planning and day-to-day running of the business. With a background in economics, Julia began her career after university and has since worked across four production areas. She believes the grain sector is currently facing major issues including global disruption and climate variability. Julia breaks down the complexities of tariffs, including the impacts of the Trump Tariffs and how they affect Australian farmers. She explains how everything farmers produce ultimately links back to the supply chain and trade agreements. She shares the situations where tariffs aren't always bad and how Australia works around them depending on climate and production. Julia discusses Australia's supply chain issues and the improvements that could be made in transport and logistics. She touches on the introduction of low carbon liquid fuel and the volume of Australian goods sent overseas. What Julia loves most about working on the land. The most unexpected thing to happen to Julia was surviving stepping on a brown snake. A common misconception about working on the land in Australia. Julia's ultimate dream for the future. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus. Links: Angie Asimus Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram Partnered with Australian Farmers Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram Grain Growers Produced by Pretty Podcasts

As she calls a sprawling homestead in southern NSW home, it's hard to fathom how Hannah Bamford has gone from leaving school directionless – to being the assistant manager of a 4000-hectare property near Young. Her career in agriculture all started thanks to a chance meeting with a vet, which set off an incredible chain of events that have culminated in the 31-year-old launching her own rural employment platform Ag-Work Solutions. To learn more about her unconventional path into farming, Hannah Bamford joins me now. Her favourite place on the station where she lives and works is the gully near her home after the rain. Leaving school without a clear career path meant a steep learning curve on the farm. Hannah found herself as an assistant manager of a property, taking on everything from drenching, to seeding, spraying and mending fences. There were a few twists and turns to get here, including a stint with Australian Border Force. Her leap into agriculture happened thanks to an encounter with a vet. Growing up in a beachside town in Queensland, she had never set foot on a farm. Starting with contract work and little experience, she kept receiving calls and eventually started Ag-Work Solutions because community demand was so high. Whilst managing the station, she also runs a side-hustle connecting farmers with workers. One of the perks of her role is living in the homestead with access to a work vehicle and other support that eases the load. In 2022, Hannah was awarded the Angus Foundation Scholarship. What she loves most about life on the land is the people and community. The most unexpected thing to happen since starting her career on the farm. A common misconception about her work, is the amount of help farmers actually need. Hannah's ultimate dream for the future. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus. Links: Angie Asimus Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram Partnered with Australian Farmers Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram Ag-Work Solutions Produced by Pretty Podcasts

After an epic quest all over the world, the owners of BoomaFood based in Cessnock, in the NSW Hunter Region, are confident they've tracked down the best sustainable growing technology to see us through future climate challenges like flood and drought. In a southern-hemisphere first, the Indigenous-owned company has launched the patented vertical design, that grows an abundance of leafy greens, indoors, all year round. To learn more about this business with a lot of heart, Managing Director of Booma, Cory Robertson joins me now, to discuss: Cory's Indigenous-owned company has a heritage going back generations. The name BoomaFoods comes from "boomerang," reflecting the idea of returns on invested interest and playing a role in getting food on the table. Cory explains that Booma Food is grounded in the best technology to sustainably produce food, no matter the climate challenges, using cubic farm technology and Crop Motion — innovations he researched while travelling far and wide. He shares that the system excels at seed propagation and that this technology could easily be shared throughout the nation. While these vertical systems can operate commercially, Cory notes that Australia has only a 1.8% Aboriginal participation rate in agriculture, and he is determined to change that. Cory describes why he chose vertical farming and how his patented system differs from others on the market. He outlines how the system operates at ground level and his vision for it to be used nationwide. Cory is passionate about working with Indigenous cultures in Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, and Fiji. What Cory loves most about working on these food solutions is the focus on Environmental Social Governance and being a light in the community. The most unexpected thing for Cory was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A common misconception Cory encounters is that vertical farming is "just tech." Cory's dream for the future is to see his solutions adopted widely and making a lasting impact. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus. Links: Angie Asimus Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram Partnered with Australian Farmers BoomaFarm Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

What it lacks in size, this farm gains in heart. It all comes down to forging a very deliberate and considered impact on the agriculture industry. A place to talk, research, demonstrate and showcase different methods. This working property on the Southern Tablelands of NSW has an open door agri-tourism venture bringing this little biodynamic business to a much broader audience. Murray Prior of Nguurruu Farm joins me now to discuss: Murray's favourite place on the property is the a magnificent old stringybark tree. "Nguurruu" is the name of the farm, meaning 'camp' in Indigenous language, and Murray shares the significance behind this powerful name. Over time, the land had been over-cleared and over-used, but Murray is part of a new generation working to restore its vitality. He discusses the Farm Master Plan, which is used to educate new farmers on how to work with the land without depleting it. The belief that only large-scale operations can make a meaningful impact in agriculture is one that Murray has intentionally challenged through his work. With a deep desire to contribute positively to the land, Murray explains some of the modifications and practices he has implemented to improve the health of Country. He also shares his passion for biodynamics and how his approach blends Indigenous knowledge systems with western agricultural practices. Many listeners may already be familiar with The Barn — a stunning agri-tourism venture and converted horse stable that now welcomes visitors to the property. Guests at Nguurruu are often intrigued by the biodynamic practices, and Murray spends time sharing the journey of their food and the farm's philosophy. Murray reflects on how he and his family have come to truly live and breathe the land. He shares the most unexpected moments he has encountered and addresses common misconceptions about farming. Murray finishes by sharing his ultimate dream for the future. We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus. Links: Angie Asimus Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram Partnered with Australian Farmers Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram Nguurruu Produced by Pretty Podcasts