AgriFutures On Air

“It was the furthest thing from a day spa, but it gave me space.”Jennifer Galloway has a hectic life - a young family and a busy job as Acting General Manager covering three portfolios - Workforce, Communications and Adoption (WCA) at AgriFutures Australia.Day-to-day, Jen leads a team dedicated to effectively delivering AgriFutures’ research outcomes to the people that need them most. She also ensures the WCA team’s communication efforts extend to attracting a motivated and future-ready agricultural workforce, while helping build their leadership skills. But for Jen, participating in the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program (AALP) meant suddenly finding herself on the receiving end of her everyday work.Tune in to the latest episode of #AgriFuturesOnAir’s Capacity Building miniseries to hear Jen discuss what it’s like being forced to be vulnerable, and how the ARLP helped her understand who she is a leader, and the leader she wants to be.Further ResourcesPassionate about rural industries like Jen? Apply for one of the 2025 AgriFutures Learning and Development Opportunities - the chance to secure an AgriFutures-sponsored position in up to nine nationally renowned programs including the AALP (applications close Wednesday, 8 January 2025).

“Leadership in Australian agriculture involves a blend of vision, the resilience, adaptability and commitment to sustainable practices”In the second episode of the AgriFutures Capacity Building mini-series, we hear from Dakshina Yadav, a passionate horticultural scientist from Nepal now working in the Northern Territory, who was selected to take part in the prestigious Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program. Dakshina specialises in the production of jackfruit, a tropical fruit that is widely used in Asia and is rapidly gaining popularity in Australia. After attending the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program, Dakshina's approach to her work has been revitalised and, in this episode, she shares how the course helped her develop key skills like vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and leading by example - all crucial for driving innovation in the Australian agriculture sector.While highlighting her leadership transformation, Dakshina also discusses the unique challenges and opportunities facing agricultural leaders in Australia today and stresses the importance of creating meaningful connections and networks formed through leadership programs like Marcus Oldham.The AgriFutures Leadership and Development Opportunities are now open. Tune into the mini-series to learn more about these fantastic opportunities on offer and apply at the link below to take your leadership skills to the next level.Learn more and apply: Learning and Development Opportunities and Resources | AgriFutures Australia

"I think leadership is about having those abilities to public speak and all that kind of stuff, but it's about bringing people together."Discover the inspiring journey of Sarah Secker, a remarkable leader in Australian agriculture. Sarah completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Foundations of Directorship course, a program designed for new and aspiring directors, senior executives, and managers wanting to gain a foundational knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of boards and directors.In the first of five episodes of the AgriFutures Capacity Building Program’s Learning and Development Opportunities mini-series, Sarah, a farming business manager in South Australia, discusses her journey from a corporate career in advertising to running a family farm and the need for leadership in community projects and the value of diverse perspectives. Sarah's participation in the AICD course has had a profound impact on her life and business and her story is a testament to resilience and innovation.The AgriFutures Leadership and Development Opportunities are now open. Tune into the mini-series to learn more about these fantastic opportunities on offer and apply at the link below to take your leadership skills to the next level.Learn more and apply: Learning and Development Opportunities and Resources | AgriFutures Australia

Join the Fibre Frontier! In this episode, we join the AgriFutures Australia Goat Fibre Program Extension team, neXtgen Agri as they sit down with Dr. Susan Robertson, a senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University and passionate mohair producer, to get an insider's look at the world of Angora goats. Susan shares her journey of transitioning to farming Angora goats alongside Merino sheep, blending her academic expertise with hands-on experience.Discover the unique management considerations for Angora goats, from navigating shearing and fencing challenges to tackling health concerns like worm control and photosensitization. Susan offers invaluable insights into the physiological differences between sheep and goats, and how she's optimising her production system to maximise mohair quality and profitability. Hear Susan's perspective on the economics of mohair versus wool, and the importance of strategic marketing to capture the best prices. Whether you're a seasoned goat farmer or just starting to explore the mohair industry, this episode is a must listen.And don't forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming AgriFutures Goat Fibre Program field day Thursday, 14 November in Shepparton, Victoria. This free event is the perfect opportunity to connect with industry experts, network with fellow producers, and dive deeper into the latest advancements in the mohair and cashmere industries.