Humans of Agriculture Humans of Agriculture

We were recently given the opportunity to host a conversation at the Norco, PrimeX field days. In 2023 Norco and the National Farmers Federation released a report: The National Farmer Wellbeing Report
When it comes to mental health, farmers in Rural Australia face disproportionately high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide. As part of our work at Humans of Agriculture, we want to use our platform to have conversations that matter and this one is incredibly important.
In this episode, Warren shares his personal experiences; achieving the dream of being a dairy farmer, and subsequently losing it as he faced various natural disasters. With the support of professionals, family and friends, Warren got his life back on track however it wasn't as a farmer. He physically and metaphorically closed that gate and chapter of his life, and his new persona took off - the unbreakable farmer.
Warren Davies is not just any average Farmer. There is more to this farmer than meets the eye. His eventful life has tested his Resilience, Persistence and Determination. All having a massive impact on his young family, relationships and finances. But this has made Warren the Farmer he is today - The Unbreakable Farmer.
If you or someone you know, is requiring support the service can be reached on 1800 936 229
Other helpful services if you are in need of support include:
Lifeline 13 11 14 TIACS 0488 846 988

It's a foggy May morning in Beaufort, 150kms west of Melbourne. 
We grab a coffee and head towards the first of the latest properties that the team at Go.FARM was acquired only a few months earlier, getting a better understanding of the Agronomist who spent his childhood not too far down the highway. 
As we tour the property, we quickly pull over, Liam jumps out and 'throws off the city boots' and begins picking up a few stray pieces of timber and baling twine. Evidence that the little things matter in the big picture. Liam started his career as an Agronomist and has since made a considerable impact. He shares the opportunity to be in the room and learn from the great Jim Collins and the miles he'd travel early in his career to pursue both a personal life and a professional life.
When it was evident that the opportunity to be part of the family farm wasn't there, Liam pursued his interests and sought to become a farmer slightly differently. It's fair to say he's creating his own luck. 
"the origin of GoFarm is under-utilised and under-capitalised assets scattered across the landscape, ultimately to no one's benefit. And if we can find the best of those and turn them around, we can generate great investment returns, but we can also generate a lot of good."
The role of agriculture in transforming Australian society and economyThe impact of institutional investment on the agriculture sectorThe importance of responsible agriculture and its impact on communities and the economyThe significance of courage and urgency in business and career decisionsThe culture of high-performing teams and their role in driving agricultural innovation and growth
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hanna Go Farm and the Agriculture Industry
19:37 The Impact of Institutional Investment on Agriculture
28:11 Responsible Agriculture and Sustainable Communities
37:22 The Role of Courage and Urgency in Business
42:04 The Future of Agriculture: Trends and Opportunities

This special spotlight is on a support service that is too important not to know about. We met Ross Blanch a member of the Farmer to Lifeline Farmer support program. He's been a lifeline volunteer for more than 31 years and in the past 4 years since starting the Farmer to Lifeline Farmer help line he's answered more than 4,000 calls from Aussie Farmers.
If you can share this with a friend, that would be incredible.
If you or someone you know, is requiring support the service can be reached on 1800 936 229
Other helpful services if you are in need of support include:
Lifeline 13 11 14 TIACS 0488 846 988

Tom and Mick interview Jeremy Cummins, a professional cattle buyer and feedlotter. Jeremy shares his background in the industry, his experience working with his uncle, and his transition into feedlotting. He discusses the types of cattle he buys and the markets he targets. Jeremy also talks about the current sentiment in the cattle market and his predictions for the future. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the Beef Week event and the networking opportunities it provides.

In 2020, Harry Lloyd was a little lost. He had just finished University and couldn't chase his dream of being a cowboy in America due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, we'djust started the Humans of Agriculture Podcast and Harry was recommended to listen, which turned out to be a pretty pivotal moment for him. 
"The one thing I took away from the podcast is to say yes. Plan A's not going to happen anytime soon, so I'll just start saying yes to opportunities and see where it leads me."
Harry grew up in Kyabram, Victoria, where he calls the safest place on the planet. He loved his upbringing on his family's dairy farm and now calls Kyabram home again, farming in partnership with his brother. 
Tragically, Harry's life was turned on it's head at the age of 18 when his Dad suddenly passed away. The community rallied around his family and helped them milk cows as they navigated what happened to the farm and their cattle. 
At the time, he didn't himself in farming and instead was going into Sports Management at University. But soon into his course, he was missing the farm and found himself more interested in his mates Agribusiness course. So he made the switch.
He found his niche passion in regenerative agriculture and how to look after animals, paddocks and the planet more broadly. 
"I was conscious about the idea of farming in a way that not only is sustainable, but also benefits the environment and improves it for those future generations."
Harry wants to do things differently, while being mindful that you can't be sustainable if you're not profitable and you can't throw away everything that we've learned over the years. 
"The opportunity to trial so many different things is why I like agriculture. Especially dairy, because you can do something and you'll see the results the very next day." 
This episode is delivered in a Paid partnership with Dairy Australia, if you're interested in a Career in Dairy - head to Dairy Jobs Matter
00:00 Introduction and Impact of Humans of Agriculture Podcast
04:20 Growing Up in Kyabram and Community Involvement
08:14 Family Farm and Dealing with Tragedy
09:39 Career Path and Interest in Regenerative Agriculture
14:24 Learning and Working on Different Farms
29:30 Opportunities in Dairy Farming for Young People
33:47 Find your Career in Dairy at Dairyjobsmatter.com.au

Jodie Redcliffe studied Psychology, can speak fluent Japanese, is a mother of three and her first memories in agriculture are feeding poddy calves on her Pa’s dairy farm. There’s a lot to unpack in this episode! As a youngster, Jodie moved around regional Queensland as her father worked in pigs and poultry. 

“He actually liked pigs a lot more than poultry. And then ironically, I married a chook farmer, which kinda was a little weird to begin with.”
If there is someone in your network who is a Nuffield Scholar, you would be privy to just how much they boast about the program. 

Almost exactly 10 years ago, Jodie was a Nuffield Scholar herself and is now the CEO of Nuffield Australia. She speaks about her Nuffield learnings and they’re ever evolving, just like industry best-practices. 
"The trouble is when you bring everybody up, it just lifts above everybody else, so it's a constant process of improvement."
Jodie continues to learn from her global travels and the people in the Nuffield network. For anyone in the Humans Of Agriculture Community considering their own Nuffield, this podcast will serve as a source of inspiration and a bit of a FAQ!
Jodie's story is part of our partnership with the Nuffield Australia - Nuffield Scholar program - Where we are shining a light on some of the incredible stories of some of their scholars.