Beyond the Farm Gate

In today's episode, I'm speaking to Nikki Lyons, one of Australia's most accomplished sheep shearers, whose remarkable career has seen her achieve record-breaking milestones while balancing the demands of motherhood and life on the land. Nikki has built a reputation for determination, resilience and an unwavering passion for the Australian wool industry. In this episode, Nikki talks about her jour...

My guest in this episode is Amelia Baker — a young Australian rodeo rider taking on one of the toughest sports out there and helping carve out space for women in an arena that’s long been dominated by men. From life on the land to the intensity of competition, Amelia shares how she first found rodeo, what keeps pulling her back into the chute, and what she learned competing overseas in...

In this episode I’m joined by Kelly Skewes, Industry Liaison Officer at Boonah State High School where we dive into the AG Futures program and how it’s giving young people real pathways into agriculture — not just through textbooks, but through hands-on experience, industry connections, and a whole lot of heart. From their “Coffee N Cows” mornings to powerful stu...

Kay and her husband Dave along with their children Georga and Harry are the fifth generation on their farm in Kerry and they’ve taken some seriously bold steps in the past few years — from cutting down their herd, leaving their milk processor, to building their own, on-farm, micro-creamery and opening their farm to become one of South East Queensland’s most loved Agritourism expe...

Bianca Tarrant is the co-founder and CEO of Our Cow, an online paddock-to-plate meat business connecting Australian farmers directly with consumers. Built alongside her partner Dave, Our Cow emerged from firsthand experience with drought, bushfires and the volatility of traditional cattle markets. In this episode, Bianca shares how a simple idea to sell meat from their own farm grew into a nationa...

Kathy Gabriel is a Farmer and Photographer from New South Wales. When Kathy is not working on her farm, her love of adventure leads her to travel to the most unique and hidden places across the earth. In this episode, Kathy describes her love of horses, her preference for the arts of maths and sciences, and how it has led her to where she is today. She recounts various emotional, physical, and men...

In this end-of-year special episode, Helen and Matt turn the microphones on themselves to reflect on their very first year behind the mic.  They look back on the highlights, the hiccups, and the unexpected moments that shaped the show. You’ll hear Helen and Matt talk a bit about their roles at Bendigo Bank, what made this year such a memorable ride, and what they have planned for the ye...

Priscilla Evans-Gittany is the Owner of Vet and Ag Tools. Priscilla runs Vet & Ag Tools, a business helping vets and agricultural professionals work smarter, not harder. In this episode, Priscilla explains how Vet & Ag Tools got started. She breaks down what they offer and what she hopes to provide for the ag industry. She walks us through the benefits and uses of their custom-made pulleys...

Ben Rose is a Principal Consultant at Performance Viticulture. Performance Viticulture makes it its mission to provide credible and quality business management for vineyards of all shapes and sizes. In this episode, Ben recounts his history in both rural and urban living conditions, his experience in Mexico and Spain, and how it all funnelled into who he is today, a man of 3 overlapping, but disti...

Dallas Davidson is the founder of DMD Marketing and a member of the Board of Destination Scenic Rim. Growing up on a sheep dairy farm in Queensland herself, she now helps farmers and producers share their day to day with the broader audience through their integration of marketing with farm life. In this episode, Dallas shares her path towards where she is now and how she ended up loving lending fa...

Kay Tommerup is a Dairy Farmer and the President of Agritourism Queensland. Agritourism Queensland is a not-for-profit peak agricultural body representing farmers who are embracing agritourism to diversify their businesses.   In this episode, Kay runs through the history of Agritourism Queensland, how they support producers, and some practical steps for farmers who are curious about open...

Dusty Pascoe is a Farmer and Nuffield Scholar whose passion for ag education has taken him all over the world from his farm in North Central Victoria. In this episode, Dusty shares how to apply for a Nuffield scholarship and what international study through the organisation has taught him. He discusses his experience in farming, including the benefits of grazing crops in varying climates, the impa...

This episode is the final part of our two-part chat with Sophia Croker. In the last episode, Phia explained the life of the average bee and the extraordinary life of a mobile beekeeper. In this episode, Phia discusses how treating varroa mites can impact the honey and beeswax, how supporting local beekeepers helps you to avoid potentially counterfeit honey in supermarkets, and why you should stay...

Sophia Croker, or Phia as she’s better known, is a Beekeeper and the Founder of the Bee Drover. Phia is a fourth-generation beekeeper with mobile colonies that she droves all over rural New South Wales.  In this episode, Phia explains what everyone should know about bees, the role of bees in horticultural production, and what it’s like to make a living moving bees around the bush....

Katie Nash is a Farmer at Coonabarabran with her husband, Co-founder of FOALS, and the woman behind First Time Farmer. Katie has built a following online by documenting her journey from city girl to full-time farmer and bridging the gap between city and country by sharing candid insights into farm life. In this episode, Katie opens up about how it felt to move from Darwin to Coonabarabran to farm...

Lisa Johnstone is the Owner of Mostyn Highland Fold. Mostyn Highland Fold is a boutique Highland cow breeding operation outside Toowoomba and also offers visitors a unique farm experience. In this episode, Lisa explains why she chose the iconic Highland cow breed for her farm and the challenges and rewards of working with this breed. She also discusses why she opened Mostyn Highland Fold up to vis...

Penelope Swales is the Owner of Piggery Road Permaculture. Piggery Road Permaculture grows healthy, chemical-free produce for sale and offers workshops and courses in permaculture to the wider Gippsland region. In this episode, Penelope shares her remarkable journey to micro-farming. She shares her insights into micro-farming and permaculture, as well as the challenges she faced when first startin...

This episode is the final part of our two-part chat with Jenny Jenner. In the last episode, Jenny shared the origin of the Kalbar Sunflower Festival and how it has grown into a massive annual charity event. In this episode, Jenny opens up about the legacy of her late husband, Russell, and the experience of documenting his fight with cancer in the documentary, Growing Happiness. She shares the stor...

Jenny Jenner is the Owner of Kalbar Sunflowers and the Founder of the Kalbar Sunflower Festival. The Kalbar Sunflower Festival is an annual celebration of sunflowers and joy in Queensland’s Scenic Rim and doubles as a major fundraising event. In this episode, Jenny shares why she and her husband, Russell, made the switch from farming lucerne to growing sunflowers. She outlines the Instagramm...

Josh Murray is the Founder and COO of Josh’s Rainbow Eggs. Josh’s Rainbow Eggs is an environmentally sustainable, family-owned, free-range egg farm supplying grocery stores across Victoria. In this episode, Josh reveals the surprising origins of Josh's Rainbow Eggs and how the business has grown since he started it when he was just 9 years old. He shares insights into the day-to-day op...

Andrew Weidemann is a Farmer in the Wimmera and former Chair of Grain Producers Australia (GPA), where he currently serves as a Board Member and R&D Spokesperson. GPA represents Australia's broadacre, grain, pulse and oilseed producers at the national level to promote a strong, innovative, profitable, and sustainable grains industry that is competitive on a global scale. In this episode, Andre...

Tash Johnston is the Founder of Farm Angels. Farm Angels, formerly Drought Angels, provides financial assistance, food hampers, care packs, and mental well-being support to struggling primary producers and their families across Australia. In this episode, Tash discusses the mission of Farm Angels to help farmers in hardship and the devastating story that prompted her to found the organisation. She...

Zarly Steffensen and Devon Hansen are the husband and wife duo behind Whipbird Cafe near Kingaroy. Whipbird Cafe is a farm-to-table restaurant serving unique, seasonal menus that use produce grown on their farm and a dedicated nose-to-tail philosophy. In this episode, Zarly and Devon share how they incorporate meat and produce grown on their farm into the restaurant and how a commitment to using w...

Bryce Camm is the CEO of Camm Agricultural Group, Director of Cattle Australia, and former Chairman of Beef Australia. Bryce oversees his family’s 65,000 head of cattle across nine stations and a feedlot, manages over 100 staff, and is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders in Australian beef. In this episode, Bryce shares how Camm Agricultural Group has evolved over four gen...

Jackie Elliott is the Founder of Rural Women’s Day. Rural Women’s Day is a not-for-profit organisation committed to connecting rural women in Australia and New Zealand through community, collaboration, and celebration. In this episode, Jackie explains the origins and rapid expansion of Rural Women’s Day, how Rural Women’s Day champions women, and how it has uplifted thousan...