Ducks on the Pond

“If farmers don’t have a voice, they’ll be dealt a poorer hand.” That’s the simple mantra that motivates Rebecca Reardon to be involved in advocacy with NSW Farmers.
Rebecca is a mixed farmer from Moree in NSW, an agricultural economist, board director and Vice President of NSW Farmers.
Her path into agricultural leadership wasn’t linear. After 20 years working post–farm gate in the grains industry, including stepping into a CEO role during one of the most personally challenging periods of her life, she made the conscious decision to step back and prioritise family when one of her children became seriously ill
What followed were two phone calls that changed her trajectory; one inviting her onto an industry board, and another encouraging her to join the Grains Committee at NSW Farmers
 That “gentle push” led her into policy, advocacy and leadership at a state and national level.
In this collaboration episode with NSW Farmers, Rebecca reflects candidly on:
How family crisis reshaped her perspective on leadership and success
Why advocacy isn’t just about what farmer groups win; but what they stop
How NSW Farmers develops grassroots policy through branches, committees and annual conference
The mounting pressures facing agriculture; from telecommunications and biosecurity to land tax, diesel rebates, insurance and renewables
The widening city–country divide and the fight to maintain farming’s social licence
Why we need more women and more young farmers stepping into advocacy roles
If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, but worried you didn’t know enough, weren’t qualified, or might upset someone… this episode is your nudge.
Learn more about NSW Farmers or become a member HERE

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What if the difference between a struggling farm and a thriving one isn’t the cows, the land or the milk price… but the systems?
When Jana Hocken and her husband returned to their 1,000-head dairy farm in New Zealand, they were facing two seasons of low milk prices, a $500,000 overdraft and long, exhausting workdays. Something had to change.
In this practical and eye-opening live recording from the Australian Dairy Conference, Jana shares how applying Lean management principles,  developed by Toyota,  transformed their business.
The results?
15% reduction in costs
72% increase in labour productivity over 10 years
Major gains in production 
Overdraft eliminated — and cash surplus at season start
Same herd. Same genetics. Same infrastructure. Different management.
Instead of hoping milk price rises to improve profit, Jana explains why the real opportunity lies in controlling what you can; cost, systems, communication and culture. Jana has now founded The Lean Farm Project, to help others.
Hosted by Kirsten Diprose, this episode captures Jana’s keynote on how Lean tools; from weekly team meetings and visual management boards to root-cause problem solving and radical financial transparency, can dramatically reduce stress, lift productivity and build a farm that lasts generations.
This is the final collaboration episode with the Australian Dairy Conference. Go back and listen to earlier episodes, to hear more wisdom from the fabulous speakers and leaders involved in the event.
Produced by the Rural Podcasting Co… can we help YOU tell your own story?

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What happens when you don’t make time for your wellness?
For wellbeing researcher and speaker Carli Phillips, the answer was confronting: double pneumonia, a heart infection and total burnout in her late thirties... all while juggling two jobs, a masters degree, young children, farm life and caring responsibilities.
In this powerful live recording from the Australian Dairy Conference, Carli, the founder of the Corporate Wellbeing Hub, shares the lesson that changed her life:
If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.
Hosted by Kirsten Diprose, this episode captures Carli’s keynote address to more than 900 people, followed by a practical and heartfelt Q&A focused on rural workplaces, leadership and psychosocial safety.
This is a collaboration episode with the Australian Dairy Conference. Produced by the Rural Podcasting Co... can we help YOU tell your own story?
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Where did the anti-farming sentiment begin, not just in Australia, but around the world? And most importantly, what can we do about it?
Claire Taylor brings a genuinely global perspective to this conversation. Originally from Scotland, she travelled across multiple countries as part of her Nuffield Scholarship, exploring how farming is portrayed, discussed and defended in different cultural contexts.
That journey eventually led her to Australia—where she fell in love with a farmer  and now lives just outside Orange, New South Wales. Having only been in Australia for a year, Claire speaks candidly about what it’s like to miss your old life while navigating a major career pivot.
Once an agricultural reporter working across TV and newspapers in the UK, Claire is now the founder of her own consultancy, Agvocacy Consulting, focused on helping agriculture tell its story better.
This episode is has been made in collaboration with the Australian Dairy Conference and is packed with practical, accessible advice on sharing positive stories about farming—and you don’t need to be an influencer or media professional to do it well.
The Australian Dairy Conference is on in Melbourne from February 11 to 13, so make sure you're getting quick to book your ticket!
This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production
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Farmers are often portrayed as being lone operators, but we know that working in agriculture, or any rural business, is a team sport. No matter what specific industry you’re in, you’re not going to get far without the ability to get people working together towards a shared goal.        
None of this is possible without effective leadership, and that’s the topic we’re going to be tackling in this episode. How do you define your leadership?
And who better to ask than two women in leadership roles within the massive event that is the Australian Dairy Conference. 
Rose Philipzen is the first woman to act as president of the Australian Dairy Conference. With a lifetime of experience in the industry in New South Wales, Rose shared what her trailblazing journey has taught her about the benefits of leaning into a collaborative leadership approach. 
Ella Credlin is working in Rose’s team as the conference’s programming chair. As a passionate dairy farmer from south-west Victoria, Ella was tapped on the shoulder to work for the ADC, and told me all about her hope to create positive change within the industry she loves.     
Also in this episode we discuss the Australian Rural Leadership Program. The ARLP is a 15-month program that helps rural people develop their skills as leaders in their field. 
This episode was brought to you in collaboration with the Australian Dairy Conference, Australia’s premiere conference. Next year the conference will be held in Melbourne in February at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. You can register for the conference or explore the program at this link.    
This is a Rural Podcasting Co. podcast. Check out our other podcasts and how we can help you create your very own podcast too!

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