S4 Ep 23 – Natural Capital
Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story
Behind every piece of food we eat and fibre we wear, there is not only a farmer, but a scientist solving the ever-changing puzzle that is agriculture. Whether it be adapting to changes in climate or bolstering natural capital. Paris Capell is a passionate young agricultural professional who is helping to make a meaningful mark on the future of farming, and she joins me now. Paris’ favourite place is being in the ‘living classroom of home’. Realising agriculture was her path while working at the local pool in summer. She started wondering where the...
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S4 Ep 22 - Stepping Up
Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story
https://www.prettypodchttps://www.prettypodcasts.com/ asts.com/ Joining stock camps in north-west Queensland is about as tough as it gets, let alone holding your own there as a teenager. It kick-started a career in agriculture that has since spanned the country. For now, a pause, managing Elverton Pastoral in Blessington, Tasmania. And they say farmers wear many hats, so a mechanics apprenticeship, dog handling skills, courses in low stress stock handling and grazing management have all prepared young talent William Lyon for his current role. To learn more, William Lyon joins me...
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S4 Ep 21 - A Farmer’s Take on Tariffs
Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story
Tariffs are a bit of a buzz word right now. But what do they really mean for our farmers? The answer is – they can be good and bad. Who better to break it down for us than Julia Hausler. She runs a successful family farm, and holds influential roles within industry body GrainGrowers. Julia is a tireless advocate for economic and social opportunities in her part of the world, Victoria’s Wimmera region. To learn more Julia joins me now. Julia’s favourite place on the family farm is the creek, as it transforms throughout the years. She assists with the marketing,...
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S4 Ep 20 - Wendy’s Cooking Adventures
Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story
A love of food can most certainly take you anywhere, but perhaps an unlikely destination is a remote Northern Territory cattle station. It’s a path down which former Brisbane café owner Wendy Cox has ventured. For those of us who haven’t been lucky enough to try her recipes, she generously shares photos of the sizeable spreads she prepares for the cowboys and girls. To learn more about Wendy’s Cooking Adventures, the lady herself joins us now. Wendy’s favourite place on the station is Telstra Hill, where you can see for miles and enjoy amazing sunsets. She traded café life in...
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S4 Ep 19 - The Unconventional Farmer
Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story
As she calls a sprawling homestead in southern NSW home, it’s hard to fathom how Hannah Bamford has gone from leaving school directionless – to being the assistant manager of a 4000-hectare property near Young. Her career in agriculture all started thanks to a chance meeting with a vet, which set off an incredible chain of events that have culminated in the 31-year-old launching her own rural employment platform Ag-Work Solutions. To learn more about her unconventional path into farming, Hannah Bamford joins me now. Her favourite place on the station where she lives and works...
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S4 Ep 18 - Olly ‘Blogs’ Harrison
Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story
The highs and lows of agriculture are a daily ritual for most farmers. Who knew recording those private moments, showcasing expert problem-solving skills, mixed with a touch of humour, would be so well received? The thirst for that knowledge went far beyond first thought with a single farmer’s videos reaching more than 350 000 people. The UK farmer is now one of the most famous agricultural social media influencers in his country, choosing to champion a range of causes, including inheritance tax. Farmer and entrepreneur Olly ‘Blogs’ Harrison joins me now. Olly’s favourite...
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S4 Ep 17 - BoomaFood
Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story
After an epic quest all over the world, the owners of BoomaFood based in Cessnock, in the NSW Hunter Region, are confident they’ve tracked down the best sustainable growing technology to see us through future climate challenges like flood and drought. In a southern-hemisphere first, the Indigenous-owned company has launched the patented vertical design, that grows an abundance of leafy greens, indoors, all year round. To learn more about this business with a lot of heart, Managing Director of Booma, Cory Robertson joins me now, to discuss: Cory’s Indigenous-owned company...
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S4 Ep 16 - Kitchen Garden
Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story
Moving from Sydney to a small 10-acre farm in the little-known town of Carool was always going to be life-changing. But the owners may not have fully appreciated how much magic they were about to sprinkle over northern NSW. Their award-winning kitchen garden has become a favourite destination in the Tweed tourism scene. To learn more about this true paddock to plate dining experience, Peter Burr joins me now to discuss: Peter’s favourite spot is simply sitting anywhere in the garden. Carool was a big change from Sydney — they bought the property immediately upon seeing it. While they...
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S4 Ep 15 - Nguurruu Farm
Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story
What it lacks in size, this farm gains in heart. It all comes down to forging a very deliberate and considered impact on the agriculture industry. A place to talk, research, demonstrate and showcase different methods. This working property on the Southern Tablelands of NSW has an open door agri-tourism venture bringing this little biodynamic business to a much broader audience. Murray Prior of Nguurruu Farm joins me now to discuss: Murray’s favourite place on the property is the a magnificent old stringybark tree. "Nguurruu" is the name of the farm, meaning ‘camp’ in Indigenous...
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S4 Ep 14 - The Christmas Farm
Australian Farmers: Telling Our Story
It’s the stuff dreams are made of – Christmas all year round. For one Queensland family and all who visit their farm, that’s the reality. 20 acres of perfectly formed Christmas trees, the decorations to adorn them – and for those wanting a little more – you can even indulge in one of their famous hot chocolates. If it sounds magical, that’s exactly what the owners had in mind. Let’s meet the family sprinkling that Christmas spirit almost 12 months of the year, Katrina and Brad Fraser of Granite Belt Christmas Farm join me now to discuss: Their favourite spot on the property is...
info_outlineBuying a dead cherry patch in South Australia’s Riverland and converting it into a vineyard, may not sound like the best career move. However, for my guest today bold decisions like that have dominated his winemaking journey. The first-generation farmer has been making wine for two decades now. Ricca Terra Wines (meaning ‘rich earth’ in Italian) has found the key to success with carefully selected grape varieties, innovative low alcohol options and in a surprise, even to himself, cask wine. To learn more Ashley Ratcliff of Ricca Terra joins me now to discuss:
- Ashely’s favourite place in the Riverland of South Australia.
- The great story of how Ashley came to live there and the condition of his land when he purchased it.
- The beginnings of the property and the decision Ashley is most proud of.
- Demonstrating innovation in his ability to adapt depending on the global climate.
- Ashley has more than 50 grape varieties, including Portuguese grapes and shares why he has taken this approach in the vineyard.
- Riverland in South Australia is hot and dry, and by taking the weather into consideration, Ashley has proven that this region can be used for vineyards.
- Consumer tastes are so important and, the huge market for lower alcohol options.
- Ashley shares his surprising business choice to launch cask wines and, some of the challenges.
- Ashley has the accolades to back up his success - in 2019 he was awarded a five-star rating in the 2020 James Halliday Wine Companion and again in 2021. He was also listed in the Top 10 upcoming wineries in Australia.
- Ashley is an advocate for the industry and is co-chair of the Riverland Wine Association.
- With China imposing tariffs during COVID and more recently an oversupply, Ashley shares the ‘yellow balloon’ he is focusing on right now.
- What Ashely loves most about life on the land.
- The most common misconception about the wine industry.
- The unexpected aspects of working in this area.
- Ashely’s ultimate dream for the future.
We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
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