Agsolutely Fabulous

Katja Williams and Gillian Fennell
  • 4.9 (15)
  • Entertainment News
  • Updated Weekly

Agriculture Beyond the Headlines Hosted by two powerhouse Australian women in agriculture, Gillian Fennell and Katja Williams. Get ready to go beyond the headlines with honest, entertaining, and informed conversations about what’s really happening in the Australian agriculture and food industry. Each week, Gillian and Katja share their professional farming insights, tackling trending ag topics, rural news, and industry stories that shape the way we grow, produce, and consume food. From paddock to plate, we break down complex issues, bust myths, and spotlight the people and innovations driving modern farming. Whether you’re a farmer, ag enthusiast, or consumer curious about where your food comes from, you’ll laugh, learn, and gain a deeper understanding of the industry that keeps us fed, clothed, and thriving. 🎙️ New episodes weekly — informative, unapologetically real, and always #AgsolutelyFabulous.

  1. 13 hrs ago

    #86 | Breaking Barriers: Women in Agriculture and Mining

    In episode 86 of the Agsolutely Fabulous Podcast, it’s part 2 of the live discussion with Katja and Gillian. In this episode, Katja explains navigating male-dominated workplaces by listening, reflecting others’ language, and using structured tools like strong chairs and timed speaking limits in boardrooms to ensure all voices are heard. The group critiques agriculture’s tendency to elect poor leaders who block new talent and rely on “fight” tactics with government, emphasizing that boardrooms should be gender neutral and that governance matters. They discuss using DiSC/Myers-Briggs-style profiles to communicate in others’ “language” and how to motivate participation by framing it as business value. The conversation shifts to how appearance affects success only “to a point,” noting women receive conflicting judgments regardless of dress. They then address perimenopause/menopause, its early and insidious symptoms (brain fog, irritability, UTIs) and safety/family impacts in farming, and link it to succession stress, arguing succession should start early, be regularly reviewed, involve honest, age-appropriate family conversations, and consider business viability, fair pay, diversification, and vertical integration to support returning children. Links & Resources Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/ Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/ Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk 💕 Support Our Partners THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS! Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/ Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout! Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/

  2. 30 July

    #85 | Empowering the Next Generation in Agriculture

    In episode 85 of the Agsolutely Fabulous Podcast, we are jumping into a three part series from a live recording with Gillian and Katja. In part 1, the ladies recap networking, gift bags, and Gillian’s art before tackling “You Can’t Ask That” questions with audience input. They discuss how to gain hands-on farm skills without moving remote, debating the value of soft skills versus practical competence, the safety and insurance risks of inexperienced workers, and the lack of clear apprenticeship-style pathways in agriculture despite varied farm contexts. They note trial traineeship efforts, limited farmer participation in work experience, and barriers like supervision burden and “who you know” networking. On funding youth attendance and engagement, they argue for capturing motivated young people at stock shows and improving farmer accessibility and school-industry links. They then address empowering men to call out other men’s bad behaviour, emphasizing early intervention, accountability, community norms, support for underlying stress, and prioritizing victim safety and leaving unsafe situations. Links & Resources Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/ Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/ Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk 💕 Support Our Partners THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS! Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/ Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout! Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/

  3. 23 July

    #84 | Childcare Challenges in Regional Australia with Sarah Secker

    In episode 84 of Agsolutely Fabulous, Gillian is solo today with her guest, Sarah Secker, a farm and business owner in Keith, South Australia, who previously worked as a marketing and advertising executive in Sydney and London. Secker describes how the country work ethic helped her gain opportunities, then explains her current advocacy focus: regional childcare access as a critical “livability” and economic development lever for rural communities with seasonal work patterns and smaller populations. She argues government policy is city-centric, market-driven childcare fails in low-density areas, and government must play a larger provider and regulatory role, including more flexible subsidies and support for in-home care. They discuss practical reforms such as adding au pairs to the 88-day ag visa and addressing HECS indexing when parents can’t work due to childcare shortages. Sitker calls for regional voices at decision-making tables, sharing media links, and contacting local members, noting impacts on essential workers, volunteers, and regional political shifts. Links & Resources Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/ Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/ Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk 💕 Support Our Partners THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS! Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/ Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout! Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/

  4. 16 July

    #83 | Farm Wives, Tariffs, and Bull Sales: Chit Chat with Katja and Gillian

    In episode 83 of Agsolutely Fabulous, Katja and Gillian share personal updates and Katja explains recording a mini-series with her husband to market Polldale’s Shorthorn Bull Sale (Wednesday 26 August), covering family history, what makes a good bull, and balancing predicted genetic data with traditional stockmanship, plus upcoming photography and a Kalgold Magazine collaboration. They discuss China’s 55% tariff on Australian beef as an over-quota measure announced on New Year’s Day, urging listeners to seek deeper market analysis. They also address University of Adelaide research on women in farm businesses and labels like “farmer” versus “farm wife,” then warn about bird flu detections in WA and SA with practical biosecurity advice. Katja reveals she has written a nonfiction book about moving to the farm and a closed-door Australian romance. Links & Resources Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/ Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/ Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk 💕 Support Our Partners THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS! Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/ Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout! Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/ Email us - agsolutelyfab@gmail.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSELTTER: https://tr.ee/qd6wlKKB1W 00:00 Welcome Back AgFabs 00:24 Catholic Funeral Stories 04:50 Bull Sale Podcast Marketing 09:05 China Beef Tariff Explained 14:58 Women And The Farmer Label 18:36 Farm Wife Identity Debate 25:25 New Books And BookTok 31:03 Bird Flu Biosecurity Tips 34:13 Wrap Up And Listener Question

  5. 10 July

    #82 | Empowering Women in Soil Health with Landcare

    This week, Katja Williams continues a Landcare chat with Danielle Littlewood, Central West regional Landcare coordinator, and Dr. Aurelie Quade, director of Soil and Resilience. They discuss their women-focused soil health workshop “Talk Dirty To Me,” funded through Landcare Enabling Program Phase 3 grants, designed to remove barriers via a safe space and provided childcare; about 25 women attended despite cold, wet weather. Dr. Quade explains translating soil science into accessible language, building women’s confidence to participate in farm decision-making, and myth-busting around buying inputs without measuring, emphasizing soil tests and targeted use of fertilizer. Practical signs and activities include digging, assessing structure, infiltration and pH, and smelling soil for microbial activity. They connect soil health to wellbeing and profitability, note global pressures from rising input costs, and share upcoming workshops, soil test subsidies, and contact details. Links & Resources Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/ Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/ Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk 💕 Support Our Partners THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS! Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/ Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout! Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/ Email us - agsolutelyfab@gmail.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSELTTER: https://tr.ee/qd6wlKKB1W 00:27 Meet Danielle01:06 Meet Aurelie01:42 Talk Dirty Workshop Origins03:03 Removing Barriers for Women04:53 Making Soil Health Simple06:00 Confidence at the Farm Table08:24 Myth Busting and Measuring09:31 Paddock Tests You Can Do10:38 Soil Health and Worry12:26 Global Trends and Profitability15:22 Inputs and Smart Decisions16:55 Next Steps Soil Testing17:46 Urban Rural Storytelling19:46 Simple Signs and Smell Test22:22 Farms as Complex Systems23:51 Why Workshops Feel Safe25:59 How to Get Involved

  6. 2 July

    #81 | Adventures in Ikea, a Trip to Adelaide, Off Grid Viability & More!

    In episode 81 of Ag Absolutely Fabulous, Gillian and Katja share updates including a new AgFab merchandise drop (limited-run pink and blue T-shirts via an Etsy shop, with hats and larger stickers planned) and talk about recent travel, rain (about 16 mm), and road conditions on the Stuart Highway. Katja recaps the National Shorthorn Sale in Dubbo, noting seasonal uncertainty and El Niño concerns, with 38 of 39 bulls sold averaging $9,846 and a $36,000 top. Gillian discusses a Farmers for Climate Action panel on “energy sovereignty,” describing their off-grid setup reducing diesel use from 110,000 litres to about 30–40, and a proposal to cap large miners’ fuel rebate to fund farmer energy upgrades. They promote HarvestHer Power’s 2027 Adelaide residential event, seeking speakers, sponsors, and registrations, and mention South Australia election postal-vote failures and a carcass jigsaw model from the SA Heifer Show. Links & Resources Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/ Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/ Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk 💕 Support Our Partners THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS! Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/ Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout! Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/ Email us - agsolutelyfab@gmail.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSELTTER: https://tr.ee/qd6wlKKB1W 00:38 IKEA inspired declutter 03:37 Road trip and rain 04:57 Wildflowers and grazing 06:47 AgFab merch drop 09:28 Shorthorn National recap 13:56 Farmers for Climate panel 23:26 Harvest Her Power callout 27:17 What is Harvest Her Power 30:04 Bus trip and Priscilla idea 32:20 SA election postal vote mess 35:09 Carcass puzzle and butchery chat

  7. 25 June

    #80 | Q&A: Gillian's Hair Drama, Our "Oh Sh*t" Moments & What City People Still Get Wrong About Farming

    It's a Q&A episode! Gillian and Katja answer your questions, straight up, no notes prepared. 💇‍♀️ Gillian's hair saga — the perm that never was, the toner-covered mishap, and the new Dame Edna glasses 🧊 What's really under the iceberg — Katja on why every project takes longer than you think, and Gillian on why she plans nothing and just makes it happen 😅 Our biggest "oh sh*t" moment since starting the podcast (spoiler: we haven't had one — yet) 👩‍🌾 If we could sit down with one woman in ag, dead or alive — Gillian wants the women who crossed the Blue Mountains in petticoats and built a life from nothing; Katja just wants more real conversations with the women already doing the work today 🤝 Where we actually disagree — homesteading, raw milk, and Gillian's very firm stance on microplastics 🏙️ What we wish city people understood about agriculture — the skill it actually takes, and the fact that most farming families aren't wealthy 📖 The wildest listener story we've received — a nurse turned newspaper editor turned dance school founder turned kelpie stud owner and children's book author. Yes, really. 🎙️ Plus: the true story of how Agsolutely Fabulous got its name (hint: a stranger on Twitter came up with it) 💕 Support Our Partners THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS! Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/ Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout! Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/ Email us - agsolutelyfab@gmail.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://tr.ee/qd6wlKKB1W #AgsolutelyFabulous

    #80 | Q&A: Gillian's Hair Drama, Our "Oh Sh*t" Moments & What City People Still Get Wrong About Farming

  8. 18 June

    #79 | The 30% "Death Tax", New Police Powers Over Livestock & Our Adelaide Recap

    Back from Adelaide and straight into it — this week Gillian and Katja tackle two of the biggest issues rippling through rural Australia right now. 💰 The 30% "Death Tax" — what the proposed capital gains changes actually mean for farm succession, family trusts, and multi-generational businesses (and why talking to your accountant has never been more urgent) 👮 New Police Powers Over Livestock — proposed NSW laws that could let authorities treat your entire farm like a crime scene during a livestock seizure, and why Gillian and Katja think the real fix is training, not more power 🎉 Adelaide Recap — how the live event went, and why more live recordings might be on the cards 🌾 Harvest Her Power 2027 — the conference is moving to Adelaide, and here's what's coming: expressions of interest for attendees, presenters, and goodie bag donations Plus: superannuation and unrealised capital gains, why "don't take financial advice from TikTok" needs to be said out loud, and what actually happens when a working dog or breeding bull looks "too skinny" to someone who's never worked livestock. 💕 Support Our Partners THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS! Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/ Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout! Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/ Email us - agsolutelyfab@gmail.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://tr.ee/qd6wlKKB1W #AgsolutelyFabulous

    #79 | The 30% "Death Tax", New Police Powers Over Livestock & Our Adelaide Recap
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4.9
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Agriculture Beyond the Headlines Hosted by two powerhouse Australian women in agriculture, Gillian Fennell and Katja Williams. Get ready to go beyond the headlines with honest, entertaining, and informed conversations about what’s really happening in the Australian agriculture and food industry. Each week, Gillian and Katja share their professional farming insights, tackling trending ag topics, rural news, and industry stories that shape the way we grow, produce, and consume food. From paddock to plate, we break down complex issues, bust myths, and spotlight the people and innovations driving modern farming. Whether you’re a farmer, ag enthusiast, or consumer curious about where your food comes from, you’ll laugh, learn, and gain a deeper understanding of the industry that keeps us fed, clothed, and thriving. 🎙️ New episodes weekly — informative, unapologetically real, and always #AgsolutelyFabulous.

Information

  • Creator
    Katja Williams and Gillian Fennell
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ag Fab - Katja Williams and Gillian Fennell 2024
  • Show Website
    Agsolutely Fabulous

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