The Hon David Littleproud MP is the Leader of The National Party, Member for Maranoa, and Federal Shadow Minister for Agriculture. David has represented Queensland’s Maranoa region since 2016 and held many positions in the Federal Parliament. However, his connection to ag started much earlier than that: growing up on the family farm near Chinchilla. In this episode, David opens up about his approach to leadership and standing his ground during negotiations. He also takes us back to his childhood growing up on a farm and shares how his first job as a cotton chipper influenced his enduring passion for agriculture and rural communities.   Resources and links: The Honourable David Littleproud MP on the Parliament of Australia website   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube   Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances. This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Fiona Best is the CEO of Birchip Cropping Group. Birchip Cropping Group, or BCG, is a Victorian not-for-profit agricultural research group run by and for farmers and is dedicated to increasing prosperity for all farmers through scientific research and innovative strategies. In this episode, Fiona shares how her growing up on a farm influenced her career choices, how her journey to the boardroom included a long detour into the classroom educating the next generation of farmers, and the many lessons she’s learnt from a lifetime in ag. She’ll also reveal her hopes for the future of Australian agriculture and how the grain industry is benefitting from research right now.   Resources and links: Birchip Cropping Group Fiona Best on LinkedIn   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube   Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances. This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Florance McGufficke is the Elders NSW Livestock and Stud Stock Sales Support Officer in Dubbo. In 2023, Florance was recognised as an ambassador for women in rural NSW when she was named the Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman of the Year which was previously known as Sydney Royal Showgirl. In this episode, Florance speaks about the opportunities life in agriculture has given her and shares her advice for other young people who are unsure about their next step. She also opens up about becoming a role model for women in agriculture and why it's so important to her to encourage the next generation of women.   Resources and links: Greendale Merinos 3 Little Sheep on Instagram Florance McGufficke on LinkedIn   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube   Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances. This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Michael Robertson is the Director of CSIRO Agriculture and Food. The CSIRO is an iconic Australian scientific organisation that has had agricultural research as a cornerstone of its work for almost a century. In this episode, Michael will break down the tangible effects that past agricultural research has had on Australian farmers as well as the research the CSIRO is currently undertaking. He’ll also share how digital agriculture can help to improve yields and may also lead to a reduction in injuries on the farm in the future.   Resources and links: CSIRO website Michael Robertson on LinkedIn   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube   Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances. This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Bianca Tarrant is the CEO of Our Cow. Following extreme bushfires in 2019, Bianca and her partner Dave created Our Cow which is an online subscription service providing Australian meat directly from the farmer to the customer. In this episode, Bianca will open up about the issues that she and many other Australian farmers struggle with, the genesis of Our Cow, and where she hopes the business goes in the future. Bianca will also describe how social media played a part in creating a multimillion-dollar e-commerce business.   Resources and links: Our Cow Bianca Tarrant on LinkedIn   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube   Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances. This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Jack Jordan-Hill is a Product Specialist for CLAAS LEXION harvesters in Australia. Jack has travelled the world because of ag, from delivering product presentations in Europe to harvesting grain in the United States. But his love of ag started at home, in Victoria, as a child on his family farm. In this episode, Jack shares the opportunities afforded to him by a career in agriculture and why he loves it. He also opens up about a devastating and life-changing loss, and how it has shaped him into the man he is today.   Mental health support: If you need mental health support, please visit your local hospital emergency department or contact the following support services: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636   Resources and links: Jack Jordan-Hill on LinkedIn   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube   Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances. This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Dr Anthony Young is a Senior Lecturer in Crop Protection at the University of Queensland. For over 20 years, Anthony has been researching how to detect and prevent diseases affecting agriculture. He is also passionate about creating beneficial microbial communities for improved soil health and better agricultural outcomes for farmers. In this episode, Anthony explains how current ag research is benefiting farmers, how remote sensing is being used to combat pests and diseases in the field, and why farmers should look at the biological makeup of their soil in addition to the chemical composition.   Resources and links: Anthony Young on LinkedIn   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube   Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances. This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Tim Rethus is a farmer in Horsham, Victoria. Before pursuing his passion for ag as a dryland broadacre cropping farmer, Tim was a chemical engineer. Today, he uses the lessons he learned in chemical engineering on his farm to innovate and push the envelope. In this episode, Tim shares his early connection to ag before heading off to university and pursuing a career as a chemical engineer. He’ll elaborate on how he found his way back to agriculture, how working for a multinational fuel company has influenced how he farms today, and why innovation is so important for the future of farming.   Resources and links: Tim Rethus on LinkedIn   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube   Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances. This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

It's been a while, and Annie is back with some exciting announcements from the world of Rural Bank podcasts. Firstly, 'Beyond the Farm Gate' is making a comeback! So keep an eye out for some fresh new episodes coming soon. Annie will be passing along the torch to some new voices who'll be continuing to shine a light on great ag stories from across the country. Plus, we've just launched a brand new show from the Rural Bank Insights Team called 'Unpacking Ag'! It's all about providing the information you need to run a successful ag business. In each episode, your hosts Michael and Sean will break down the latest insights from across the industry to help you make confident decisions on your farm. So, as a teaser, here's episode 1 of 'Unpacking Ag', where we dive into the latest insights from the ag export sector.   Listen to the show: Listen to 'Unpacking Ag' on Apple Podcasts Listen to 'Unpacking Ag' on Google Podcasts Listen to 'Unpacking Ag' on Spotify Listen to 'Unpacking Ag' on the website   Resources and links: Trade publications | Rural Bank   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube   Any opinions, estimates, and projections in this podcast are for informational purposes only and do not take into account your personal circumstances. This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Original publish date: Tue 09 Nov 2021. Oli Le Lievre is the Founder of Humans of Agriculture, a modern media company that aims to strengthen the connection between the food and fibre system, as well as the broader community, by making agriculture more relatable. In this episode, Oli shares his journey, from growing up in Sydney, to jackarooing, before completing his studies at Marcus Oldham College. He shares his interest in the future of rural and regional Australia, and how Humans of Agriculture is on a mission to share 10,000 stories of people that represent the diverse and vast opportunities in agriculture.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Original publish date: Tue 10 May 2022. Catherine Velisha is a third-generation farmer with a passion for business and creating opportunities. Her first-hand experience on the farm shapes her newest venture, the Velisha Education Group (VEG), as she works to promote pathways into horticulture, and safety on the farm. In this episode, Catherine shares the story of how her family started in horticulture, and how the farm ended up in her capable hands. Plus, an insight into the entrepreneurial side of the vegetable industry, and how that mindset alongside a positive run-in with WorkSafe, led her to start VEG.   Resources and links: VEG Education website Velisha Farms website   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Original publish date: Tue 12 Oct 2021. Growing up on a farm, Andi White has always had agriculture in her blood. And while Andi and her husband Hayden have been living and working on the same farm in NSW’s Tocumwal for the past 16 years, they’ve always dreamed of owning their own farm. That opportunity came in 2020 when the property they’d been managing for the past 10 years went up for sale — and Andi and Hayden knew they had to hustle. While they had built up a solid deposit through share farming and purchasing weiner calves to later sell as steers, they were struggling to secure the funding they needed via traditional sources … which is where Cultivate Farms stepped in.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Original publish date: Tue 06 Jul 2021. Shanna Whan is the CEO of Sober in the Country, a national advocacy program for social change in the bush. In this episode, Shanna shares her (very) personal journey, from growing up in her local rural scene to her battle with alcohol — which led her to start 'Sober in the Country'. She’s determined to spread the message that ‘It’s ok to say no to a beer’ throughout Australia’s rural communities. Shanna has worked as a rural journalist, a jillaroo, and a photographer, which gives her a unique perspective on Australian agricultural communities.   Mental health support: If you need mental health support, please visit your local hospital emergency department or contact the following support services: Lifeline: 13 11 14 ​Family Drug Support: 1300 368 186 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 MensLine: 1300 789 978 Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800   Resources and links: Sober in the Country SITC Bush Tribe   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Original publish date: Tue 16 Mar 2021. James Walker is a fifth-generation farmer from Longreach in Queensland. In between farming James is an accomplished entrepreneur with a focus on improving profitability in the livestock industry. In this episode, you'll hear how innovation has future-proofed James' family farm, how he's diversified his income stream through AgriTourism and AgTech, and how he's creating farming efficiencies that are bringing positive change to the Northern cattle industry and beyond.   Resources and links: View more information about the Bose sunglasses here: https://www.farmertec.io/   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Original publish date: Tue 16 Feb 2021. Agriculture, why wouldn't you want to be a part of it? So says today's guest, Tom Murphy of Kulin in Western Australia. As you listen to Tom speak, it’s easy to tell that he truly loves farming. And his passion for farming runs deep. It's a passion that's led him on a journey across the Nullarbor and back, working for some of the biggest names in Australian agriculture. In this episode, you'll hear Tom speak about his unwavering commitment to community, how saying yes to opportunities has taken him on the ultimate ag-adventure, and how his experience with succession has enabled him to embrace farming without a farm.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Kate Nicolson runs Croftdown, a property in Bathurst, where she runs miniature donkeys, highland cows, and Angus beef cattle; with a particular passion for her donkeys. Kate grew up in a traditional farming background, surrounded by sheep, horses, and cattle, which she left to pursue a career in bushfire science, before ultimately being pulled back to rural life. In today's episode, Kate details her passion for donkeys and other unusual animals, and how she's found a way of supporting her local community by running tailored therapy programs with the donkeys for the disabled and elderly. Kate explains how her work helps to provide a support service for those in need, and the humble donkey is helping to bring positivity and uniqueness to the ag industry.   Resources and links: Croftdown on Instagram   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Dr Rachel Carey is a Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Melbourne, with expertise in all things food systems. Whilst working as a cook on a remote cattle station in Queensland, UK-local Rachel realised how good the food culture was, and how it was tied directly to how much food was grown near the city. As a result, she's since conducted research on the governance of sustainable food systems, and now leads the Foodprint Melbourne Project, which aims to improve the resilience of Melbourne's food system. In today's episode, we hear all about the importance of Melbourne's food-bowl, and what we can do to build a more resilient food system. Plus, some amazing examples of what other countries around the world are doing, and what we can learn from them.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Greg Kuchel is the Regional Manager of Agribusiness with Rural Bank for both the Wimmera and Mallee regions. Greg also sits on the board of the Birchip Cropping Group — a key industry body for growers in the region. Despite growing up in South Australia, Greg has become well and truly entrenched in Victoria's Wimmera farming community, and he's passionate about not only farming but also supporting young talent emerging in the industry.  In today's episode, Greg shares his connection to agriculture, and how he ended up in the Wimmera region. He also talks about his involvement with the Birchip Cropping Group, and discusses the performance of Wimmera farmland prices. Plus, you'll hear how Greg's journey with Rural Bank has come full circle, from starting as a graduate to now mentoring the next generation.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Kate McBride is a fifth-generation farmer from New South Wales and the youngest member to sit on the Western Local Land Services board. Kate uses her agriculture experience to advocate for drought and water management and the importance of understanding the role that climate change plays in these areas. Her advocacy work has led her to become an Anne Kantor Fellow at the Australia Institute, where she can research the connections between water, the climate, and other rural issues. In today's episode, we hear about Kate's connection to agriculture and how her experience growing up by the Darling-Barka river led her to become the advocate she is today for drought and water management. She also talks about the importance of strengthening services and infrastructure in rural communities and how bridging the gap between city and country can encourage continued connection and resilience.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Catherine Velisha is a third-generation farmer with a passion for business and creating opportunities. Her first-hand experience on the farm shapes her newest venture, the Velisha Education Group (VEG), as she works to promote pathways into horticulture, and safety on the farm. In this episode, Catherine shares the story of how her family started in horticulture, and how the farm ended up in her capable hands. Plus, an insight into the entrepreneurial side of the vegetable industry, and how that mindset alongside a positive run-in with WorkSafe, led her to start VEG.   Resources and links: VEG Education website Velisha Farms website   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Kirsten Diprose is a communications specialist and content creator. Along with her husband and two boys, Kirsten lives on a mixed grazing and cropping farm in southwest Victoria, where their latest adventure is incorporating dairy into their farming business. In this episode, Kirsten shares how her experience in farming, combined with her expertise in broadcasting, resulted in co-founding the Ducks on the Pond podcast alongside Jackie Elliot. She also shares how her passion for telling the stories of rural people began, and why the ag industry needs to do a better job of showcasing its diversity.   Resources and links: Ducks on the Pond podcast   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Original publish date: 30 Mar 2021. Neil Seaman is a fifth-generation wool grower on his family's 2,000-acre property, Rosemont, located near Crookwell in NSW. Alongside his father, Neil runs 4,000 Merino ewes, producing fine micron wool. In this episode, you'll hear how proud and optimistic Neil is about the future of Australia's wool industry, why he believes rural Australia is the place to live, and how his time on the reality TV show, Farmer Wants a Wife, has given him a platform to help close the gap between city and country.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Jock Lawrence is an entrepreneur and founder of Mobble (or Chief Mobbler!), a digital app that allows farmers to track and manage their livestock. Mobble is a simple, easy to use platform that enables farmers to take charge of their own farm management. In this episode, Jock’s shares how he was inspired to come up with Mobble upon returning to the family farm. He also takes us through his personal farming journey so far, and walks through his mission: to make farmers' lives easier through technology.   Resources and links: https://www.mobble.io/ jock@mobble.io   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Jim Pratley is a Professor of Agriculture at Charles Sturt University (previously Wagga Wagga Ag College) and has been for almost 50 years. Over that time, he taught courses in agronomy and related areas and has published widely on the topics of conservation farming, weed management, herbicide resistance and allelopathy. He was also the Foundation Dean of Science and Agriculture at CSU from 1990 until 2006. Jim is also an advocate for the industry and uses his knowledge and experience to drive real change and inspire the next generation. In this episode, Jim speaks with us about how he led the fight for universities to continue teaching agriculture and why he believes it’s important, and why we need to continue to build the ag workforce.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Simone Kain is co-owner of creative agency Hello Friday and co-founder and author of the award-winning educational brand, George the Farmer. Simone and her husband Justin are also raising three young boys on their family property near Penola, South Australia, which specialises in beef-cattle trading and sheep for meat and wool. In this episode, Simone shares the story of how George the Farmer began in 2012 when Simone was trawling the internet looking for farming books and apps for her farm-obsessed son, George. Simone quickly discovered a hole in the market. And in 2014, George the Farmer was officially born, with the story quickly spilling outside storybooks and into new mediums…   Resources and links: George the Farmer - Website George the Farmer - YouTube George the Farmer - Spotify   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Claudia Kirby is an Agricultural Analyst with ProFarmer, where she works with various data sources to help farmers make decisions and inform the industry about the latest trends. In this episode, Claudia shares how she grew up in the grain industry and how it has taken her from the Western Australian Wheatbelt to Kansas in the US, over to Victoria and across the ditch to New Zealand. She also discusses how these experiences not only exposed her to different crops, such as soybeans and corn, but ignited an interest in grain futures markets, which she’s now bringing to her work in Australia.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

John Droppert is what you might call a dairy junkie. Having grown up on his parent's dairy farm in Victoria, working weekends and school holidays, he was encouraged to leave the industry and not come back… Yet he’s now the Industry Insights and Analysis Manager at Dairy Australia. In this episode, John shares how his interest in both social media and content has turned him into both the producer of Dairy Australia’s podcast as well as one of the most prolific Twitter users in the industry. We also discuss his ideas for how the dairy industry can attract and retain talent.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

David and Natalie Egerton-Warburton are the husband and wife team behind Agrimaster, a company that specialises in delivering financial, compliance and growth solutions to farm businesses via software, training and consultative support. Natalie has an extensive background in banking and finance, with an amazing gift for numbers and an entrepreneurial spirit. She heads up the finance, HR and operations side of Agrimaster. David combines his experience in the ag industry, along with a keen interest in innovative business practices, to find solutions that help farmers make money and keep money. In this episode, David and Natalie share the history behind Agrimaster, their connection to agriculture, and how they’re passionate about encouraging farm businesses to see themselves as just that – businesses.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Oli Le Lievre is the Founder of Humans of Agriculture, a modern media company that aims to strengthen the connection between the food and fibre system, as well as the broader community, by making agriculture more relatable. In this episode, Oli shares his journey, from growing up in Sydney, to jackarooing, before completing his studies at Marcus Oldham College. He shares his interest in the future of rural and regional Australia, and how Humans of Agriculture is on a mission to share 10,000 stories of people that represent the diverse and vast opportunities in agriculture.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Jack Cresswell is the creator and host of Farms Advice podcast, a show which aims to share farming best-practice, innovation in agriculture, and create transparency within the industry. With each episode, Jack asks “How can this conversation improve farm outlook?” by interviewing industry leaders and leading farmers. Jack’s passion for agriculture is in his blood. He grew up on the multi-generational family property in Wilcannia. After completing his Bachelor of Agribusiness (majoring in Marketing), Jack headed overseas. But with the event of COVID, he was forced to adapt and began producing Farms Advice all the way from London. In this episode, Jack shares his passion for farm optimisation, how he believes in aligning profitability with sustainability and how he’s playing his part in breaking down the barriers within agriculture that prevent the sharing of ideas.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Growing up on a farm, Andi White has always had agriculture in her blood. And while Andi and her husband Hayden have been living and working on the same farm in NSW’s Tocumwal for the past 16 years, they’ve always dreamed of owning their own farm. That opportunity came in 2020 when the property they’d been managing for the past 10 years went up for sale — and Andi and Hayden knew they had to hustle. While they had built up a solid deposit through share farming and purchasing weiner calves to later sell as steers, they were struggling to secure the funding they needed via traditional sources … which is where Cultivate Farms stepped in.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Dr Kate Burke founded Think Agri after identifying a need for corporate and institutional investors to have access to astute experience-based advice when considering key agri-investment decisions. In this episode, Kate shares how her family has been farming in Elmore, Victoria, since the 1860s, and how this background (combined with her 26 years of experience) ensures that she knows the critical questions to ask about any agricultural investment. Asking the right questions is a key part of Think Agri's offering, and enables them to offer the very best strategic advice and guidance to investors and family farmers alike.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Original publish date: 27 Apr 2021. Kelly Barnes is the Founder of Mates Dog School and the Co-president of the newly revived Dunkeld CWA — both in Dunkeld, Victoria. Kelly originally studied agriculture before a chronic pain condition forced her to give up farmwork. In this episode, Kelly shares how her experience inspired her to come up with Mates Dog School — a place where farmers, together with their dogs, learn low-stress stock handling, enhance the dog-owner bond, and build resilience through social connection and peer support.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Original publish date: 19 Jan 2021. Sarah Nolet grew up in Silicon Valley, California, in the home of tech companies and the world of entrepreneurship. Although her dad had a hobby farm, the agriculture industry was not something she ever imagined working in. But after living and working on farms in South Africa for a year, she fell into the agriculture rabbit hole. Now in Australia, Sarah has combined her technology background with her love for ag by creating AgThentic, a food and agriculture strategy firm. In this episode, she discusses innovation in the Australian agriculture space, the importance of storytelling, and how AgThentic’s programme Farmers2Founders works with farmers and producers over twelve weeks to bring their innovative ideas to life.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Original publish date: 22 Dec 2020. Social media can sometimes be seen as the creator of social problems, especially when it comes to mental health. But farmer Ben Brooksby decided to use it in a positive … yet unconventional way. As a result of a cheeky photoshoot with a friend, he started The Naked Farmer — an Instagram page that has over 100,000 followers. Ben believes using social media positively can change your mental health. And in this episode, he talks about the growing impact that The Naked Farmer movement is making. As he says, "It takes guts to take your gear off … as it takes guts to talk about mental health."   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Sam Johnston, like most rural kids, was shipped off to a Sydney boarding school which is where he first became aware of the disconnect between the product and consumer. In this episode, Sam shares how these experiences inspired him and his mate to start #thankafarmerforyournextmeal, a social media campaign-turned-movement with the goal to showcase the Australian ag industry while educating folks on where their food comes from.   Resources and links: Thank A Farmer For Your Next Meal   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Shanna Whan is the CEO of Sober in the Country, a national advocacy program for social change in the bush. In this episode, Shanna shares her (very) personal journey, from growing up in her local rural scene to her battle with alcohol — which led her to start 'Sober in the Country'. She’s determined to spread the message that ‘It’s ok to say no to a beer’ throughout Australia’s rural communities. Shanna has worked as a rural journalist, a jillaroo, and a photographer, which gives her a unique perspective on Australian agricultural communities.   Mental health support: If you need mental health support, please visit your local hospital emergency department or contact the following support services: Lifeline: 13 11 14 ​Family Drug Support: 1300 368 186 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 MensLine: 1300 789 978 Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800   Resources and links: Sober in the Country SITC Bush Tribe   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Amelia (Milly) Nolan is the Event Coordinator for The Livestock Collective, an organisation with a vision to increase connection to, and understanding of, agriculture in the wider community. While that’s her official role, her knowledge and passion sit firmly within agriculture. In this episode, Milly shares her first-hand connection to agriculture, why she believes advocacy is so important, and her experience of flourishing in what is often seen as a male-dominated industry.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Morgan Dahl is a hardworking, fifth-generation farmer from Queensland (amongst several other occupations!). When Morgan was younger, he embraced his entrepreneurial side intending to save enough money to buy his first farm. He now has a holding of 2,200 acres and continues to work off-farm while still helping on the family beef cattle farm in Miriam Vale. From running an importing business to working as a qualified electrical technician, Morgan knows how to hustle and put a plan into action. In this episode, he shares how his first property was a 600-acre tree farm that required refurbishing to remove 400 acres of failed Tasmanian hybrid trees. The property now successfully runs beef cattle and has given Morgan leverage to buy a second property.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Rachael Treasure is a regenerative agriculturalist at Ripple Farms Partners, as well as a best-selling author. Her first novel — Jillaroo — forged a new genre, kick-starting a boom in rural women’s fiction. In this episode, Rachael shares her journey from agriculture, through journalism, and back to agriculture. She also shares her personal experience of the gender divide in the industry. And we also discuss how, together with her fiance Daniel, she’s regenerating a run-down farm, paying careful attention to soil ecology and sustainable practices and inspiring other farmers to do the same.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Tom Andrews is the Co-founder and CEO of Connected Farms, a business formed to specifically provide connectivity solutions to the agriculture sector. In this episode, Tom shares his journey from growing up in a small Scottish farming village to falling in love with rural Australia. We also discuss Connected Farms' vision to improve 'over paddock connectivity' and some exciting developments in the future of rural connectivity.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Kelly Barnes is the Founder of Mates Dog School and the Co-president of the newly revived Dunkeld CWA — both in Dunkeld, Victoria. Kelly originally studied agriculture before a chronic pain condition forced her to give up farmwork. In this episode, Kelly shares how her experience inspired her to come up with Mates Dog School — a place where farmers, together with their dogs, learn low-stress stock handling, enhance the dog-owner bond, and build resilience through social connection and peer support.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Neil Seaman is a fifth-generation wool grower on his family's 2,000-acre property, Rosemont, located near Crookwell in NSW. Alongside his father, Neil runs 4,000 Merino ewes, producing fine micron wool. In this episode, you'll hear how proud and optimistic Neil is about the future of Australia's wool industry, why he believes rural Australia is the place to live, and how his time on the reality TV show, Farmer Wants a Wife, has given him a platform to help close the gap between city and country.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

James Walker is a fifth-generation farmer from Longreach in Queensland. In between farming James is an accomplished entrepreneur with a focus on improving profitability in the livestock industry. In this episode, you'll hear how innovation has future-proofed James' family farm, how he's diversified his income stream through AgriTourism and AgTech, and how he's creating farming efficiencies that are bringing positive change to the Northern cattle industry and beyond.   Resources and links: View more information about the Bose sunglasses here: https://www.farmertec.io/   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

David Cornish is the Director of the Centre for the Study of Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham College. He's also a proud Victorian farmer, having grown up on his family's property in Casterton. In this episode, you'll hear about the importance of wealth creation in agriculture, how there's never been a better time to pursue a career in primary production, and how Australia is producing the cream of the crop when it comes to the next generation of farmers.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Agriculture, why wouldn't you want to be a part of it? So says today's guest, Tom Murphy of Kulin in Western Australia. As you listen to Tom speak, it’s easy to tell that he truly loves farming. And his passion for farming runs deep. It's a passion that's led him on a journey across the Nullarbor and back, working for some of the biggest names in Australian agriculture. In this episode, you'll hear Tom speak about his unwavering commitment to community, how saying yes to opportunities has taken him on the ultimate ag-adventure, and how his experience with succession has enabled him to embrace farming without a farm.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Carly Rocca, along with her husband Dino, is the director of Spring Creek Produce, situated in Queensland's tablelands region. They produce bananas and mandarins, and they've been nominated for the 2020 Australian Farmer of the Year Award! In this episode, you'll hear how Carly and Dino broke tradition to future-proof their farm, how they found their niche and continued to explore new varieties, and how they've grown from producing 9,800 cartons in bananas in 2013, to a staggering 42,000 in 2019.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Sarah Nolet grew up in Silicon Valley, California, in the home of tech companies and the world of entrepreneurship. Although her dad had a hobby farm, the agriculture industry was not something she ever imagined working in. But after living and working on farms in South America for a year, she fell into the agriculture rabbit hole. Now in Australia, Sarah has combined her technology background with her love for ag by creating AgThentic, a food and agriculture strategy firm. In this episode, she discusses innovation in the Australian agriculture space, the importance of storytelling, and how AgThentic’s programme Farmers2Founders works with farmers and producers over twelve weeks to bring their innovative ideas to life.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Tim Johnston is the owner and manager of Waradgery, a farm located northwest of Hamilton in Victoria. They operate a self-replacing Coopworth breeding program, in conjunction with Coopworth and South Sussex studs.l In 1991, after graduating from university and following the sudden death of his father, Tim and his wife came back to the farm to take over. And this just so happened to be in the midst of the 'wool crash' of the 90s. Tim is always interested in finding new ways to run the farm. And with a solid background in agricultural science, Tim shares what drew him to the Coopworth breed.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Social media can sometimes be seen as the creator of social problems, especially when it comes to mental health. But farmer Ben Brooksby decided to use it in a positive … yet unconventional way. As a result of a cheeky photoshoot with a friend, he started The Naked Farmer — an Instagram page that has over 100,000 followers. Ben believes using social media positively can change your mental health. And in this episode, he talks about the growing impact that The Naked Farmer movement is making. As he says, "It takes guts to take your gear off … as it takes guts to talk about mental health."   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Sam Marwood grew up on a 180-hectare dairy farm in rural Victoria and assumed that when he grew up, he would inherit the family property. His dreams were dashed when he learnt that his parents would be selling up to finance their retirement. Like many other Australians, Sam assumed that without land to inherit, owning a farm would be impossible. But after fifteen years of working in government, Sam decided to follow his childhood dreams and make a change. He now runs Cultivate Farms, a social enterprise match-making service that connects aspiring farmers with retiring farmers and investors. As it turns out, there are other ways to work towards owning your own farm.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Glenden Watts is a seventh-generation farmer on the 2,500-acre Glengower farm in Central Victoria, which his family have owned since the 1870s. Traditionally a mixed sheep and cropping operation, in the last couple of decades it's become a cropping dominant operation. Glenden studied at Marcus Oldham College before returning to the family farm in 2013, excited and ready to put what he'd learnt into practice. But upon his return, he faced a string of bad luck. Juggling bushfires, drought and a young family, he realised that something had to change.   Connect: Rural Bank website Rural Bank on Facebook Rural Bank on Twitter Rural Bank on LinkedIn Rural Bank on YouTube This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.