No farming background? No worries. That’s the attitude one young couple from NSW is taking in their unique business. After purchasing a mountainous, overgrazed and neglected 100-acre property in Putty, just a couple of hours outside Sydney, they are on a steep learning curve. And they’re pulling it off beautifully, producing cattle, pigs and chickens with regenerative agriculture at the heart of what they do. To learn more, the owners of Hillside Food Forest, Sam Rayment and Liz Ferrone are here to discuss.

• Sam and Liz’s favorite place since they moved to their farm in February 2021
• With no farming experience Sam shares how and why they ended up purchasing this land and becoming farmers.
• Previously, they lived on Sydney’s northern beaches with a couple of chickens and an aquaponics system, which led them down this pathway.
• So, where did they begin and how did they learn how to produce animals?
• Turning an old block of land which was neglected, into a functional farm.
• Sam and Liz started with cattle then added in, pigs and chickens.
• Sam and Liz, from the start, wanted to use a regenerative method and share what this involves.
• As Liz has a background in dietetics, the quality of what they are producing has been of the highest priority.
• Selling direct to consumer has been a game changer for Sam and Liz, and they share how it has been received by the local community.
• What Sam and Liz love most about their new life on the land.
• The most unexpected thing to happen so far.
• A common misconception about who is the ‘farmer’.
• Their ultimate dream for the future of the farm.

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.

Links:

Angie Asimus

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There are sheep farmers, and then, there’s Lady Ba Ba. My guest today is an incredible advocate for agriculture and the industry is lucky to have her. Through her social media platforms, she educates people about the wonders of wool and takes on some tough topics, often successfully turning critics into fans. With such a bubbly personality, it’d be a waste if we didn’t see more of her. So, thankfully you can also catch her on television. Lady Ba Ba, otherwise known as Mel McGorman joins me now to discuss:

• Mel has a sheep and grain farm in South Australia and shares her favourite place there.
• Her first viral post, which was footage of a bushfire and it’s impact which, made international news.
• Wool is an amazing fibre and most are unaware it is fire resistant.
• The argument and reasoning around the practice of live sheep export and, the facts around this method.
• As a farmer and a mum, Mel uses social media to share stories about the reality of raising a family on the land.
• Mel shares the opportunities which have arisen with social media and, the importance of ‘putting yourself out there’.
• With the cost of living, Mel explains the different sorts of meat we can be eating to reduce costs.
• Supporting local farmers and butchers.
• Her experience on Channel 7’s “South Aussie with Cosi” https://southaussiewithcosi.com.au/
• What Mel loves most about working on the land.
• The most unexpected thing to happen on this journey.
• Dissolving misconceptions around farming and looking after animals.
• Mel’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.

Links:

Angie Asimus

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Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

Follow Lady Ba Ba on Instagram

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Buying 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.

Links:

Angie Asimus

Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

Ricca Terra Wines

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On this podcast we aim to show-off our best agricultural minds to listeners. My guests today have the same goal – but to viewers. A Little Bit Agricultural is a video series that aims to entertain and educate anyone who is a little curious about how their food and fibre is produced. Hosted by celebrity fisherman Andrew Hart and agricultural scientist Oscar Giudici. To learn more about the show – Andrew and Oscar join me now to discuss:

• Oscar's favorite places from his travels since launching the series and hear about some impressive farms he’s visited.
• Andrew, a seasoned host of ‘Hook, Line and Sinker’ for 20 years, shares how he transitioned from finishing to exploring the farming industry, despite having limited knowledge about agriculture.
• Andrew discusses the motivation behind the series ‘A Little Bit Agricultural’
• Oscar, with his background in agricultural science, joins Andrew to create a compelling narrative, blending adventure motorcycle travel with agricultural insights.
• Hear how Oscar’s passion for adventure motorcycle travel has intertwined with the project, offering a unique perspective throughout the series.
• The dwindling interest in agricultural science and how the series aims to inspire a new generation to explore this exciting field.
• The people they have met along the way and the perception barriers commonly associated with farming.
• Shedding light on the farming industry and rural lifestyle and, the surprising elements they’ve encountered.
• The most unexpected thing that has happened since the series began.
• Common misconceptions about agriculture and filming on the land.

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.

Links:

Angie Asimus

Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

WATCH A Little Bit Agricultural

A Little Bit Agricultural

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As two sisters working on neighbouring properties in outback Queensland, they’ve spent long, hot days in blistering sun, battled climate extremes and felt the effects of the harshest conditions. You could say, it’s all part of the job. But something that shouldn’t be part of a day’s work – is skin cancer. From a frightening first-hand experience with melanoma, comes a delightful balance between practicality and fashion. FarmHER Hands launched in December 2023. The line of stylish UPF50+ gloves are now finding their way to farms across the nation. The founders of the business, Shona Larkin and Angie Nisbit join me now to discuss:

• Living on neighbouring properties near Hughendon in North West Queensland and their favorite place on the farm.
• Working with their hands is a vital when on the land and, the point for Angie that the condition of her skin was noticeable to others.
• The dangers of the Australian sun and the damage caused by UV rays.
• Shona shares her experience of a health scare after returning to the farm.
• The experience of losing a friend to melanoma and how this planted a seed that we all needed to look after our skin more carefully.
• The start of ‘FarmHer Hands’. https://farmherhands.com/
• The feedback from the gloves and how they come up with their designs.
• A lot more women are taking on careers in ag and, the women purchasing these items.
• The beginnings of starting a business and managing the growth and scale of this business being run from outback Queensland.
• What Angie and Shona are most proud of since launching.
• The most unexpected thing to happen along the way.
• The challenge of starting a business from a rural location.
• The ultimate dream for FarmHer Hands.

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.

Links:

Angie Asimus

Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

FarmHer Hands

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It takes incredible strength of character to turn something tragic into something hopeful. That’s what one young rural woman has done following the tragic loss of both her parents. After losing her father to a heart condition when she was just 12 years old, she then lost her mother to a rare form of cancer. Her horses became her lifeline. Now, they are her full-time companions as she rides 5-and-a-half thousand kilometres across outback Queensland and NSW, to raise money for cancer research. The incredibly resilient woman in the saddle, Sarah Wheeler joins me to discuss:

• Sarah’s favourite rural place she has visited so far along her epic journey.
• Sarah’s current location as she rides 5-and-a-half thousand kilometres across outback Queensland and NSW.
• The reason she is riding for charity and, how her parents have been her inspiration to keep going.
• Her childhood and the influence her parents had on Sarah becoming a strong rural woman.
• The planning that’s gone into this trip and, the people she has met along the way.
• Sarah’s horses have been loyal companions in the face of her immense loss.
• The support crew and horse float which, turns out to be much needed when there are cream rocks around.
• As well as being a healing pilgrimage for Sarah, she also wants to make a difference in the fight against cancer and, how we can support her through ‘Pancare’
• How her horses ‘Shifty’ and ‘Sally’ are going on this long trip and, their daily ride routine.
• How Sarah is documenting her trip as well as a map of where she is right now.
• What Sarah loves most about being a rural woman.
• Sarah shares very openly about the common misconceptions about grief.
• Sarah’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.

Links:

Angie Asimus

Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

The Outback Long Ride

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Pancare

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Redbank Farm is run by an award-winning father and son team who are doing things a little differently. Their property at Sisters Creek in north-western Tasmania is managed with precision agriculture and sustainability front of mind. Their efforts have meant the farm is now a sanctuary for threatened species, magnificent native animals and birds of prey. Their National Landcare Awards celebrate the family’s commitment to innovation in this space. To learn how they’ve done it Andrew Nichols and his son Michael join me now to discuss:

• This father and son pair, share their favourite place to enjoy the scenery and wildlife on the property at Sisters Creek in north-western Tasmania.
• Andrew shares the beginning of the farm and how it has evolved over the years.
• Michael has taken on the rotational cropping, grain, beef cattle and forestry.
• Tasmania grows 40% of the world’s legal narcotics through Poppies and Michael is the president of the Tasmania Poppy Growers Association.
• Andrew has always had a love for nature and when he arrived in Australia, he realised he could use the native remnant bushland to his advantage.
• Navigating the land care values with production and profit.
• This strategy has seen the property win two National Landcare Awards.
• As a result of creating these spaces, wedge-tailed eagles, the threatened freshwater lobster and burrowing crayfish are all thriving.
• Using precision agriculture in the day to day running of the property.
• What Michael and Andrew love most about life on the land.
• A few common misconceptions they have experienced in their time.
• What they love most about this special piece of land.
• Andrew shares some unexpected wildlife stories.
• The 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.

Links:

Angie Asimus

Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

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Victoria’s Strathbogie Ranges offer a rugged landscape, breathtaking views and an unforgiving climate. It’s a backdrop that has resulted in award-winning wine. Fowles Wine aims to farm with the utmost respect for the natural environment. It’s a commitment that has transplanted the owner from a chance to work as a New York lawyer to an expert in cold-climate wine, 90 minutes outside Melbourne. To learn more Matt Fowles joins me now to discuss:

• Matt is based in the Strathbogie Ranges and shares his favourite spot on this cold landscape.
• We hear the backstory of how Matt came to own a vineyard in 2006, as he has a background in law.
• Some of Matt’s learnings from the first few years in business.
• Matt has a real focus on respect for the environment and shares some of the farm practices.
• Using the insectarium to boost the number, and biodiversity of insect life on the farm.
• Working with local, and many endangered micro-bats as a non-chemical solution to the issue unwanted pests.
• Working with the chaos of the natural landscape is Matt’s passion and it’s inspired a recently released vintage called ‘FieldSong’.
• Sharing the farm with a restaurant which also sends food waste back to the chooks.
• What Matt loves most about life on the land.
• A common misconception of wine.
• The most unexpected experience Matt has had while on this journey.
• His ultimate dream for the future of Fowles Wine.

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.

Links:

Angie Asimus

Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

Fowles Wine

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