Humans of Agriculture

• From stress to strategy: how the McInerneys built a resilient farm business

  In the first episode of this special AgRi-silience series, we visit Mark and Rachel McInerney at Riverton, South Australia, to hear how they've navigated adversity, redefined their roles on the farm, and turned professional development into a catalyst for business renewal.In this chat you'll hear:How an HR masterclass became the starting point for major business change The impact of back-to-back climate challenges and how they planned through uncertaintyHow weekly planning, clear roles, and external coaching transformed their partnershipThe story behind launching their direct-to-consumer beef businessHow involving their children is shaping a future-ready sixth generationKey Takeaways:Resilience isn’t just surviving tough years, it’s planning for the next tenGround rules and family meetings can turn tension into teamworkProfessional development is for every age, every stageBalancing passion with profitability is possible, even during droughtChapters:00:00 The McInerney family journey so far05:57 Adapting business models and financial strategies09:00 The shift in roles and responsibilities11:59 Seeking external help and professional development21:06 Mental load and work-life balance28:32 Transforming communication in a family business dynamic44:04 Balancing growth and personal joyFor the diary!Book your seat at the AgRi-silience Cut Out Dinner. It's a tough year for a lot of producers so this is a great opportunity to come together, reset, and gain strength from shared stories and collective resilience.Links and resources:Check out the McInerneys’ beef business at Garyowen HerefordsMore episodes of Humans of Agriculture This episode is made possible by LivestockSA’s AgRi-silience program, designed to help South Australian producers strengthen their business, financial, and people management skills. Learn more at www.livestocksa.org.au. AgRi-Silience is part of the Farm Business Resilience Program, delivered by Livestock SA and jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia.If you enjoyed this episode, share with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected].  Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review! [insert copy here]

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• "Schools key to tapping into ag talent pool early" with Carissa Buckland from Nutrien Ag Solutions

  A couple weeks back, I spotted through the Global Food Forum that Nutrien Ag Solutions has decided to partner with Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia. This move marks a big investment in how the ag industry interacts with the next generation of producers. So I decided to ring up Carissa Buckland, who works in Nutrien as their Director of Corporate Affairs.Carissa shares her unconventional journey from studying history and politics to working on farms and eventually climbing the corporate ladder in agri-business. This conversation explores the wide variety of career paths in agriculture and the importance of helping young people navigate their way into the industry. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ag Workforce Challenges02:53 Nutrien's Graduate Program and Recruitment Strategies05:50 Diversity and Inclusion in Agriculture08:47 Partnerships for Education in Agriculture12:00 Career Opportunities Beyond Farming14:57 Empowering Women in Agriculture LeadershipResources:Nutrien Ag Solutions: nutrienagsolutions.com.auLearn more about PEIFA: piefa.edu.auHumans of Agriculture: humansofagriculture.com

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• From Wall Street to Cannabis and now tackling Methane in livestock with Derek Peterson

  Derek Peterson has had a colorful career.He's found himself at the head of ROAM, an agriculture tech company trying to solve the problem of methane emissions. But he didn't get there following the 'traditional path.' In this chat we cover his career so far, from  working on Wall Street to becoming a visionary entrepreneur whose journey expertise bridge traditional agriculture, finance, and the  emerging industry of  — medicinal cannabis.In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, we dive into the intersection between innovation, agriculture, and public perception, revealing the foresight needed to build a business in uncharted territory.Chapters00:00 Derek Peterson's Unique Career Path03:02 Insights from Evoke Ag Conference05:46 Transition from Finance to Cannabis11:59 Challenges of Going Public in Cannabis18:08 Exploring Methane Reduction in Agriculture24:08 Consumer Acceptance and Product Development30:00 Future Careers in Agriculture Links & Resources:ROAM – Derek’s companyConnect with Derek Peterson on LinkedInMore episodes at Humans of Agriculture

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• Bringing in the Bots - We're sitting down with SwarmFarm's Jocie Bate

  When I got a chance to head to evokeAg this year, I heard Jocie Bate speaking and thought to myself, we need to get her on the podcast!  I came across an extraordinary character whose ideas may just revolutionise the future of agriculture. "It's amazing how quickly the sector is evolving," says Jocie Bate on her mission to fully automate the paddock with robotics.Jocie Bate and her husband, Andrew, founded SwarmFarm Robotics, a pioneering agtech business transforming how we think about farming systems. From growing up on her families grazing property in rural Queensland to co-founding one of Australia's leading ag robotics startups, Jocie shares her journey through finance, family farming, and the bold leap into agricultural innovation. The conversation explores the dynamic of family partnerships, women in agriculture, bootstrapping a startup, and what the future of farming could look like. Chapter00:00 Exploring Modern Agriculture03:07 The Journey of Swarm Farm05:47 Building Strong Partnerships in Agriculture09:09 Innovations in Farming Technology12:08 The Evolution of Swarm Farm14:50 Navigating Funding and Growth18:06 The Future of Agriculture and Robotics20:47 Lessons Learned and Personal Growth23:55 The Role of Technology in Agriculture26:45 Engaging the Next Generation in Ag TechConnect with SwarmFarm:Website: swarmfarm.comInstagram: SwarmFarm IGYoutube: SwarmFarmFollow Humans of Agriculture on Instagram & LinkedInSubscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

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• Carbon, Capital and Courage: Hugh Killen on the opportunity in Ag’s Next Chapter

  “If we don’t get it right, the opportunity will be given to people post the farm gate. And it’ll happen to farmers again.”Hugh Killen's CV is incredibly impressive, he's spent decades working across the globe in finance and markets, before returning home to work in aussie agriculture.In this chat, we explore Hugh's time in finance, his time leading publicly listed iconic Australian Ag companies, and his mission today at the helm of Impact Ag Australia to help Aussie farmers seize the opportunity in natural capital and regenerative ag systems.  What we cover:00:00 From Farming Roots to Finance03:12 Navigating the Agricultural Landscape05:57 The Value Chain of Agriculture08:53 Resilience in Leadership11:52 Building a Supportive Team14:58 Impact Ag Australia: A New Venture17:48 Defining Regenerative Agriculture21:27 Understanding Soil Health in Regenerative Agriculture25:04 The Risks and Rewards of Soil Carbon Projects27:00 Navigating the Complexities of Carbon Markets30:00 The Future of Agriculture: Transitioning to Regenerative Practices39:00 The Role of Policy and Consumer Awareness in Agriculture40:49 The Importance of Farmer Empowerment and EducationLinks & Resources:Connect with Hugh Killen on LinkedInFollow Humans of Agriculture on InstagramIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected]. Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!

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