Nathan Free is the President of the Victorian Farmers Federation Horticulture Council and co-manages a leading organic produce and stone fruit farm with his family in Lake Boga, in Northwest Victoria. His journey from a humble roadside stall to a Nuffield Scholar and a key figure in the VFF is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, Nathan delves into his agricultural journey, his dedication to sustainable organic farming practices, and his advocacy for the industry he holds dear. He also shares the pivotal lessons that have shaped his path. Join us as we uncover the insights and experiences that have driven Nathan’s success in agriculture. Resources and links: Victorian Farmers Federation website Nathan Free 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.

This episode is part two of our two-part chat with Hugh Dawson. In the last episode, we heard how Hugh ended up as the Head Stockman for one of the Northern Territory’s largest cattle stations and the industry groups and not-for-profit organisations he got involved with while he was there. In this episode, Hugh tells the story of how he decided to leave the NT to study at Marcus Oldham College, his experiences with Brokenwood Wines after graduation, and his vision for the future of agriculture. He also shares the conversations he wishes he’d heard about ag growing up. Resources and links: Zanda McDonald Award website Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association website Young Livestock Exporters Network website Brokenwood Wines website Hugh Dawson 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.

Hugh Dawson is a young agriculturalist whose love of the industry has taken him all over Australia. Hugh grew up on his family’s farm in South Australia, but after high school, he found himself as the Head Stockman on a 2.6 million acre station in the Northern Territory. In this episode, Hugh shares his journey to the Northern Territory, the lessons he learnt as a leader, and why he’s so passionate about groups like the Young Livestock Exporters Network. He also opens up about his involvement with Sober in the Country and why he believes we should reframe our attitude around alcohol in rural Australia. This episode is part one of our two-part chat with Hugh. Join us for the next episode, where Hugh shares his vision for the future of agriculture. Resources and links: Young Livestock Exporters Network website Sober in the Country website Hugh Dawson 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.

Pip Grant is the CEO of Riverine Plains Inc. Riverine Plains Inc. specialises in farmer-driven research and extension to benefit broadacre farmers in Victoria and New South Wales. Throughout her career, Pip has been on the cutting edge of agritech innovation and has committed her life to programs and technology to improve outcomes for farmers and rural communities. In this episode, Pip digs into Australian agritech, where the industry is currently and where it can go in the future, and how the research done by Riverine Plains Inc. is helping farmers. She’ll also reflect on how her thoughts on Australian agriculture have changed throughout her career and the available opportunities. Resources and links: Riverine Plains Inc. website Pip Grant 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.

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.