"Seriously, just do it! You certainly won't regret it.”

In the latest episode of the AgriFutures Capacity Building miniseries, we hear from two agricultural leaders who participated in the transformative Australian Rural Leadership Foundation's TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program - Verity Price, Deputy CEO of the Australian Chicken Meat Federation, and Jacob Birch, Managing Director of Yaamarra & Yarral in the native grains industry.

From the powerful Welcome to Country ceremony that set the tone, to the immersive experiences in nature the program pushed them to step back and reflect on their purpose, behaviours, and relationships in new ways.

Despite working in vastly different agricultural sectors, both Verity and Jacob highlight how taking part in the program allowed them the time for deep reflection, how they have applied their learnings back home, and how they continue to be shaped by the lasting impact of the program that go beyond just teaching technical skills.

Further Resources

Ready to take Verity’s advice and “just do it”?

Apply for one of the 2025 AgriFutures Learning and Development Opportunities - the chance to secure an AgriFutures-sponsored position in up to nine nationally renowned programs - including TRAIL (applications close Wednesday, 8 January 2025).

“It was the furthest thing from a day spa, but it gave me space.”

Jennifer Galloway has a hectic life - a young family and a busy job as Acting General Manager covering three portfolios - Workforce, Communications and Adoption (WCA) at AgriFutures Australia.

Day-to-day, Jen leads a team dedicated to effectively delivering AgriFutures’ research outcomes to the people that need them most. She also ensures the WCA team’s communication efforts extend to attracting a motivated and future-ready agricultural workforce, while helping build their leadership skills. 

But for Jen, participating in the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program (AALP) meant suddenly finding herself on the receiving end of her everyday work.

Tune in to the latest episode of #AgriFuturesOnAir’s Capacity Building miniseries to hear Jen discuss what it’s like being forced to be vulnerable, and how the ARLP helped her understand who she is a leader, and the leader she wants to be.

Further Resources

Passionate about rural industries like Jen? Apply for one of the 2025 AgriFutures Learning and Development Opportunities - the chance to secure an AgriFutures-sponsored position in up to nine nationally renowned programs including the AALP (applications close Wednesday, 8 January 2025).

“Leadership in Australian agriculture involves a blend of vision, the resilience, adaptability and commitment to sustainable practices”

In the second episode of the AgriFutures Capacity Building mini-series, we hear from Dakshina Yadav, a passionate horticultural scientist from Nepal now working in the Northern Territory, who was selected to take part in the prestigious Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program. 

Dakshina specialises in the production of jackfruit, a tropical fruit that is widely used in Asia and is rapidly gaining popularity in Australia. After attending the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program, Dakshina's approach to her work has been revitalised and, in this episode, she shares how the course helped her develop key skills like vulnerability, emotional intelligence, and leading by example - all crucial for driving innovation in the Australian agriculture sector.

While highlighting her leadership transformation, Dakshina also discusses the unique challenges and opportunities facing agricultural leaders in Australia today and stresses the importance of creating meaningful connections and networks formed through leadership programs like Marcus Oldham.

The AgriFutures Leadership and Development Opportunities are now open. Tune into the mini-series to learn more about these fantastic opportunities on offer and apply at the link below to take your leadership skills to the next level.

Learn more and apply: Learning and Development Opportunities and Resources | AgriFutures Australia

"I think leadership is about having those abilities to public speak and all that kind of stuff, but it's about bringing people together."

Discover the inspiring journey of Sarah Secker, a remarkable leader in Australian agriculture. Sarah completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Foundations of Directorship course, a program designed for new and aspiring directors, senior executives, and managers wanting to gain a foundational knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of boards and directors.

In the first of five episodes of the AgriFutures Capacity Building Program’s Learning and Development Opportunities mini-series, Sarah, a farming business manager in South Australia, discusses her journey from a corporate career in advertising to running a family farm and the need for leadership in community projects and the value of diverse perspectives. 

Sarah's participation in the AICD course has had a profound impact on her life and business and her story is a testament to resilience and innovation.

The AgriFutures Leadership and Development Opportunities are now open. Tune into the mini-series to learn more about these fantastic opportunities on offer and apply at the link below to take your leadership skills to the next level.

Learn more and apply: Learning and Development Opportunities and Resources | AgriFutures Australia

Join the Fibre Frontier! In this episode, we join the AgriFutures Australia Goat Fibre Program Extension team, neXtgen Agri as they sit down with Dr. Susan Robertson, a senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University and passionate mohair producer, to get an insider's look at the world of Angora goats. Susan shares her journey of transitioning to farming Angora goats alongside Merino sheep, blending her academic expertise with hands-on experience.

Discover the unique management considerations for Angora goats, from navigating shearing and fencing challenges to tackling health concerns like worm control and photosensitization. Susan offers invaluable insights into the physiological differences between sheep and goats, and how she's optimising her production system to maximise mohair quality and profitability. Hear Susan's perspective on the economics of mohair versus wool, and the importance of strategic marketing to capture the best prices. Whether you're a seasoned goat farmer or just starting to explore the mohair industry, this episode is a must listen.

And don't forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming AgriFutures Goat Fibre Program field day Thursday, 14 November in Shepparton, Victoria. This free event is the perfect opportunity to connect with industry experts, network with fellow producers, and dive deeper into the latest advancements in the mohair and cashmere industries.

Mary Nenke's journey from aspiring pharmacist to renowned "yabby lady" is a captivating tale of serendipity, resilience, and a lifelong passion for agriculture. Growing up in the city, Mary never imagined she'd end up as a pioneering force in Australia's aquaculture industry, but a chance encounter through junior farmers changed the course of her life.

When economic challenges hit in the 1990's, Mary and her husband pivoted from the family's sheep and grain business to yabby farming, turning a hobby into a thriving export operation. However, their success was tested by devastating setbacks that nearly wiped out their business. Through it all, Mary's unwavering advocacy and entrepreneurial spirit shone through.

Recognised as one of the earliest AgriFutures Australia Rural Women's Award winners, Mary's visibility skyrocketed. She leveraged this platform to champion causes close to her heart - from sustainable agriculture to rural community development. Her Farming Champions initiative has connected city and country, amplifying agriculture's vital role.

Today, Mary reflects on her extraordinary journey with gratitude and in this episode we'll hear what her motivation is, how the Rural Women's Award cemented her determination, and why her circle of influence continues to grow. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and the profound impact one passionate individual can have on an industry.

Meet Nathan Cleasby, Aquaculturist who’s passion for both research and aquaculture is driving innovation and growth throughout the Redclaw crayfish industry.

Nathan’s journey from Sydney to Townsville inspired him to pursue a master's degree in aquaculture, where he discovered a market gap for commercial seed stock and addressed this by developing a state-of-the-art hatchery that incorporates ozone and probiotics. Today, his 5.5-hectare farm supplies Redclaw from Sydney to Townsville.

Nathan’s unique blend of strategic planning and bold risk-taking has not only launched a thriving business but also generated significant advancements within the industry, earning him the 2023 Science and Innovation Award.

Join us as we explore Nathan's innovative approaches, the challenges he has overcome, and how his journey is shaping the future of sustainable aquaculture. 

The agricultural landscape is rapidly evolving, with a complex web of forces shaping the industry's future. This episode explores a new report from Agrifutures Australia that explores the "cross-sectional forces" set to impact the sector.

Report author Sarah Nolet joins us to discuss the key findings, which cover everything from the rise of AI and mandatory climate disclosures to global conflict and systemic changes in production systems. Sarah explains how the report aims to guide the R&D community in addressing these interconnected challenges through collaborative, cross-industry efforts.

We also hear from Agrifutures Senior Manager, Rural Futures Jane Knight on why this report is a critical resource for decision-makers, researchers and producers alike as they work to future-proof Australian agriculture.

Tanya Dupagne has dedicated her career to supporting children and communities in need, both in Australia and around the world. As the 2017 AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year, Tanya used her platform to launch a transformative grassroots leadership program for women in regional areas. However, Tanya's inspiring work was derailed when she was finally diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease - a condition that had gone undetected for over a decade.

Seven years later, we catch up with Tanya to hear how she continues to fuel her incredible determination and resilience. In this episode, Tanya shares insights on the importance of support networks, self-care, and her vision for empowering rural communities while managing chronic illness and advocating for better treatment options in Australia.

Jean and Basil Baldwin are pioneers in the Australian hazelnut industry. Both now in their 80s, the duo continue to play an active role in the day-to-day operations of Fourjay Farms on the outskirts of Orange, NSW, an operation they run in partnership with daughter Carolyn and her husband Dave Stansfield.

AgriFutures will officially launch the $2 million Australian Hazelnut Program of Research (AUSHAZ) at Jean and Basil's property in Orange in October 2024.

Based on the Australian Hazelnut 2030 Strategic Blueprint, the Program of Research was created through consultation with growers, industry body Hazelnut Growers of Australia, processors, agronomists and researchers.

In this episode, Jean and Basil teach us the ins and outs of hazelnuts, and the amazing potential for the development of a standalone Australian industry.

Further resources: 

• AgriFutures invests $2m to crack Australian hazelnut industry
• Hazelnuts in Australia: Productivity and economic analysis for industry expansion
• Industry placemat: Hazelnuts