Agsolutely Fabulous

This week, don’t miss it as Katja and Gillian catch up on station and farm life, including renovations, recent cattle events, and travel to the NFF Leadership Forum and the Adelaide show, before previewing a live podcast recording and “activations” at Floriade tied to the International Year of Rural Women. They discuss encouraging youth into recreational shooting, emphasizing supervised training, safety, Australian licensing rules, and the discipline and life skills involved. The hosts then examine labor laws versus family farming, noting Australia lacks national data on children’s farm work, highlighting childcare and policy gaps, unpaid family labor (18% in 2016), women’s often-unrecognized contributions, and concerns about unpaid adult children and coercive control. They critique AI-generated regenerative-ag media imagery comparing perennial and annual wheat roots and promote Kim Storey’s What Does a Farmer Look Like? project. Finally, they outline HarvestHer Power fundraising webinars with Boyce Accounting on budget changes, working with accountants/banks, and succession planning, stressing advice is general.

HHP webinar Collaboration with Boyce coming up!

Wednesday 23rd September 2026 - Working Effectively with Your Accountant and Your Bank

Wednesday 18th November 2026 - Preparing for the Next Generation to Take Over.

Find out more, including speaker bios head to HarvestHer Powers website and socials.

Links & Resources

Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/

Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/

Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk

💕 Support Our Partners

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS!

Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/

Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout!

Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/

This week, don’t miss it as Katja and Gillian discuss the difficulty of sponsoring visas for a young couple to work in remote Australia, calling the process overly complex and asking listeners with agriculture sponsorship experience for tips, while suggesting dairy farmers and abattoirs may have relevant visa experience. Katya shares updates on her upcoming Australian fiction romance book, due before Christmas, the first in a six-part family series set out west, and encourages pre-orders via a waitlist with personalized signed copies. They criticize “Farmer Wants a Wife” for using non-farmers and staged filming that misrepresents agriculture and misses educational opportunities. The episode then introduces an interview with Cassie Andrews, a Coonamble Landcare coordinator, about a May horsemanship clinic with Texas Star Performance Horses, linking horse welfare and safety to land management practices like rotational grazing, weed control, waterway protection, and community engagement through Landcare events.

HHP webinar Collaboration with Boyce coming up!

Wednesday 23rd September 2026 - Working Effectively with Your Accountant and Your Bank

Wednesday 18th November 2026 - Preparing for the Next Generation to Take Over.

Find out more, including speaker bios head to HarvestHer Powers website and socials.

Links & Resources

Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/

Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/

Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk

💕 Support Our Partners

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS!

Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/

Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout!

Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/

Katja and Gillian celebrate two years of the Agsolutely Fabulous podcast, thank listeners, and discuss upcoming automation for a bare-bones website that will transcribe episodes into blog posts and schedule social posts. Katja promotes the upcoming Polldale bull sale in Dubbo on 26 August, highlighting QR-coded catalogs linking to YouTube bull videos and the extensive work behind stud sales.

They preview and begin discussing key topics: a Dubbo Solar Recycling Hub proposal (supporting recycling but raising concerns about location on productive farmland, infrastructure/workforce needs, environmental risks like leaching, and better siting on existing industrial/contaminated coastal sites), a young listener’s “same sheep, zero waste” lanolin/wool question (not new, but lost urban knowledge; noting industry incentives for synthetics and advising ingredient checks and patch testing), and Channel 7 food shortage fears (expect bottlenecks and price rises, not running out of food, with suggestions for pantry backups and local producers).

HHP webinar Collaboration with Boyce coming up!

Wednesday 23rd September 2026 - Working Effectively with Your Accountant and Your Bank

Wednesday 18th November 2026 - Preparing for the Next Generation to Take Over.

Find out more including speaker bios head to Harvest Her Powers website and socials.

Main website: https://www.gondwanamacadamias.com.au/

Head straight to the skincare: https://www.gondwanamacadamias.com.au/collections/botanicals-skincare-range

Savvi

Main Website: https://savvithelabel.com/

Foundation: https://savvithelabel.com/pages/savvi-foundation

Future Her Event - 25th September 2026 6-8pm, Black Cat Cocktails, Wellington NSW.

In episode 87 of the Agsolutely Fabulous Podcast, Katja and Gillian share updates including merch shirts nearly selling out and how to buy remaining sizes; they preview topics such as the Cattle Australia levy review, Katja’s upcoming bull sale, and new product shout-outs.

Katja recaps attending the Australian Women in Agriculture Conference with 250 women, sessions on AI, agrotourism, advocacy, and she co-facilitated a workshop identifying barriers to women’s leadership and developing advocacy pathways.

Gillian explains the cattle transaction levy, where funds go (MLA marketing/R&D, Animal Health Australia, NRS), concerns about using compulsory levies for advocacy, transparency, and upcoming voting at MLA’s AGM. They promote Gondwana Macadamias, a Savvy event in Wellington, and HarvestHer Power planning and sponsorship needs, then criticize Telstra’s outage and accountability, and Gillian briefly recaps attending LambEx in Adelaide.

HHP webinar Collaboration with Boyce coming up!

Tuesday 18th August 10am - Tax Structure and Potential Impacts of the Federal Budget

Wednesday 23rd September 2026 - Working Effectively with Your Accountant and Your Bank

Wednesday 18th November 2026 - Preparing for the Next Generation to Take Over.

Find out more including speaker bios head to Harvest Her Powers website and socials.

Main website: https://www.gondwanamacadamias.com.au/

Head straight to the skincare: https://www.gondwanamacadamias.com.au/collections/botanicals-skincare-range

Savvi

Main Website: https://savvithelabel.com/

Foundation: https://savvithelabel.com/pages/savvi-foundation

Future Her Event - 25th September 2026 6-8pm, Black Cat Cocktails, Wellington NSW.

In episode 86 of the Agsolutely Fabulous Podcast, it’s part 2 of the live discussion with Katja and Gillian. In this episode, Katja explains navigating male-dominated workplaces by listening, reflecting others’ language, and using structured tools like strong chairs and timed speaking limits in boardrooms to ensure all voices are heard. The group critiques agriculture’s tendency to elect poor leaders who block new talent and rely on “fight” tactics with government, emphasizing that boardrooms should be gender neutral and that governance matters.

They discuss using DiSC/Myers-Briggs-style profiles to communicate in others’ “language” and how to motivate participation by framing it as business value. The conversation shifts to how appearance affects success only “to a point,” noting women receive conflicting judgments regardless of dress. They then address perimenopause/menopause, its early and insidious symptoms (brain fog, irritability, UTIs) and safety/family impacts in farming, and link it to succession stress, arguing succession should start early, be regularly reviewed, involve honest, age-appropriate family conversations, and consider business viability, fair pay, diversification, and vertical integration to support returning children.

Links & Resources

Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/

Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/

Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk

💕 Support Our Partners

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS!

Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/

Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout!

Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/

In episode 85 of the Agsolutely Fabulous Podcast, we are jumping into a three part series from a live recording with Gillian and Katja. In part 1, the ladies recap networking, gift bags, and Gillian’s art before tackling “You Can’t Ask That” questions with audience input. They discuss how to gain hands-on farm skills without moving remote, debating the value of soft skills versus practical competence, the safety and insurance risks of inexperienced workers, and the lack of clear apprenticeship-style pathways in agriculture despite varied farm contexts. They note trial traineeship efforts, limited farmer participation in work experience, and barriers like supervision burden and “who you know” networking. On funding youth attendance and engagement, they argue for capturing motivated young people at stock shows and improving farmer accessibility and school-industry links. They then address empowering men to call out other men’s bad behaviour, emphasizing early intervention, accountability, community norms, support for underlying stress, and prioritizing victim safety and leaving unsafe situations.

Links & Resources

Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/

Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/

Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk

💕 Support Our Partners

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS!

Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/

Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout!

Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/

In episode 84 of Agsolutely Fabulous, Gillian is solo today with her guest, Sarah Secker, a farm and business owner in Keith, South Australia, who previously worked as a marketing and advertising executive in Sydney and London. Secker describes how the country work ethic helped her gain opportunities, then explains her current advocacy focus: regional childcare access as a critical “livability” and economic development lever for rural communities with seasonal work patterns and smaller populations.

She argues government policy is city-centric, market-driven childcare fails in low-density areas, and government must play a larger provider and regulatory role, including more flexible subsidies and support for in-home care. They discuss practical reforms such as adding au pairs to the 88-day ag visa and addressing HECS indexing when parents can’t work due to childcare shortages. Sitker calls for regional voices at decision-making tables, sharing media links, and contacting local members, noting impacts on essential workers, volunteers, and regional political shifts.

Links & Resources

Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/

Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/

Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk

💕 Support Our Partners

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS!

Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/

Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout!

Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/

In episode 83 of Agsolutely Fabulous, Katja and Gillian share personal updates and Katja explains recording a mini-series with her husband to market Polldale’s Shorthorn Bull Sale (Wednesday 26 August), covering family history, what makes a good bull, and balancing predicted genetic data with traditional stockmanship, plus upcoming photography and a Kalgold Magazine collaboration. They discuss China’s 55% tariff on Australian beef as an over-quota measure announced on New Year’s Day, urging listeners to seek deeper market analysis.

They also address University of Adelaide research on women in farm businesses and labels like “farmer” versus “farm wife,” then warn about bird flu detections in WA and SA with practical biosecurity advice. Katja reveals she has written a nonfiction book about moving to the farm and a closed-door Australian romance.

Links & Resources

Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/

Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/

Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk

💕 Support Our Partners

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS!

Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/

Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout!

Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/

Email us - [email protected]

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSELTTER: https://tr.ee/qd6wlKKB1W

00:00 Welcome Back AgFabs

00:24 Catholic Funeral Stories

04:50 Bull Sale Podcast Marketing

09:05 China Beef Tariff Explained

14:58 Women And The Farmer Label

18:36 Farm Wife Identity Debate

25:25 New Books And BookTok

31:03 Bird Flu Biosecurity Tips

34:13 Wrap Up And Listener Question

This week, Katja Williams continues a Landcare chat with Danielle Littlewood, Central West regional Landcare coordinator, and Dr. Aurelie Quade, director of Soil and Resilience. They discuss their women-focused soil health workshop “Talk Dirty To Me,” funded through Landcare Enabling Program Phase 3 grants, designed to remove barriers via a safe space and provided childcare; about 25 women attended despite cold, wet weather.

Dr. Quade explains translating soil science into accessible language, building women’s confidence to participate in farm decision-making, and myth-busting around buying inputs without measuring, emphasizing soil tests and targeted use of fertilizer. Practical signs and activities include digging, assessing structure, infiltration and pH, and smelling soil for microbial activity. They connect soil health to wellbeing and profitability, note global pressures from rising input costs, and share upcoming workshops, soil test subsidies, and contact details.

Links & Resources

Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/

Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/

Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk

💕 Support Our Partners

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS!

Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/

Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout!

Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/

Email us - [email protected]

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSELTTER: https://tr.ee/qd6wlKKB1W

• 00:27 Meet Danielle
• 01:06 Meet Aurelie
• 01:42 Talk Dirty Workshop Origins
• 03:03 Removing Barriers for Women
• 04:53 Making Soil Health Simple
• 06:00 Confidence at the Farm Table
• 08:24 Myth Busting and Measuring
• 09:31 Paddock Tests You Can Do
• 10:38 Soil Health and Worry
• 12:26 Global Trends and Profitability
• 15:22 Inputs and Smart Decisions
• 16:55 Next Steps Soil Testing
• 17:46 Urban Rural Storytelling
• 19:46 Simple Signs and Smell Test
• 22:22 Farms as Complex Systems
• 23:51 Why Workshops Feel Safe
• 25:59 How to Get Involved

In episode 81 of Ag Absolutely Fabulous, Gillian and Katja share updates including a new AgFab merchandise drop (limited-run pink and blue T-shirts via an Etsy shop, with hats and larger stickers planned) and talk about recent travel, rain (about 16 mm), and road conditions on the Stuart Highway.

Katja recaps the National Shorthorn Sale in Dubbo, noting seasonal uncertainty and El Niño concerns, with 38 of 39 bulls sold averaging $9,846 and a $36,000 top. Gillian discusses a Farmers for Climate Action panel on “energy sovereignty,” describing their off-grid setup reducing diesel use from 110,000 litres to about 30–40, and a proposal to cap large miners’ fuel rebate to fund farmer energy upgrades.

They promote HarvestHer Power’s 2027 Adelaide residential event, seeking speakers, sponsors, and registrations, and mention South Australia election postal-vote failures and a carcass jigsaw model from the SA Heifer Show.

Links & Resources

Landcare Australia: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/

Find or Register a Group: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/find-a-group/

Learn how to Get Involved with Landcare here: https://youtu.be/3s74Lvmlutk

💕 Support Our Partners

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS!

Farm Table – Your online hub for all things ag, connecting farmers with resources, events, and opportunities. Check them out at https://farmtable.com.au/

Book Box - Use code Fabulous15 for a special discount at checkout!

Start your next chapter here → https://bookbox.au/

Email us - [email protected]

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSELTTER: https://tr.ee/qd6wlKKB1W

00:38 IKEA inspired declutter

03:37 Road trip and rain

04:57 Wildflowers and grazing

06:47 AgFab merch drop

09:28 Shorthorn National recap

13:56 Farmers for Climate panel

23:26 Harvest Her Power callout

27:17 What is Harvest Her Power

30:04 Bus trip and Priscilla idea

32:20 SA election postal vote mess

35:09 Carcass puzzle and butchery chat