Agsolutely Fabulous

In episode 69 of Agsolutely Fabulous, Gillian and Katja are sharing their updates and chatting about all things women in agriculture. Katja joined a local bee club after getting her own hive and recommends local groups for beekeepers, while Gillian discusses new staff whose hidden skills include fashion design and filmmaking, enabling clothing repairs and new social media content.

Gillian recaps attending a South Australian Industry Insights Forum with the National Farmers Federation, including a “robust” panel with Telstra about remote telecommunications changes, decommissioning radio phone systems, power-dependence of new alternatives like VoIP and Starlink, and the life-or-death stakes during fires and floods.

They discuss Gillian’s Stock Journal interview on regional healthcare disparities tied to Alex Thomas’s “From Here to Healthcare” campaign. The episode also covers concerns about Victorian land rezoning and taxation impacts on farmers, suggests advocacy via the Victorian Farmers Federation, and a critique of tokenism around the “Year of the Woman Farmer,” emphasizing global context and meaningful change. Gillian notes recent rain at home and shares her frustration that her eldest left to work on a Queensland cattle station before finishing his apprenticeship.

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

• 00:45 Beekeeping Club Update
• 02:10 New Staff Arrive
• 04:01 Industry Forum Recap
• 05:09 Telco Changes and Power
• 08:13 Robust Talk on Connectivity
• 11:15 Cheese Lunch and Politics
• 12:51 Courses on Skool
• 17:25 Healthcare Voices in Ag
• 20:48 Victoria Rezoning Backlash
• 23:31 Leave Farmers Alone
• 24:13 How City Folks Can Help
• 26:59 Petitions and Political Pressure
• 28:29 Year of the Woman Farmer
• 35:19 Tokenism Versus Real Change
• 44:39 Ending on a Lighter Note
• 45:25 Family Updates and Farewell

In this podcast episode, Danielle, the Central West Regional Landcare Coordinator, explains her role supporting Landcare groups from around Campbelltown to Grenfell by helping with projects, funding, governance, and member support. She describes how Landcare has evolved from an 1980s tree-planting volunteer movement into diverse, community-driven work across the Central West, including community nurseries, sustainable grazing, women’s health and wellbeing, youth nature programs, local produce events, ag tech and drones, and on-ground erosion, weeds, pests, and river rehabilitation. Danielle outlines how to find or start a Landcare group via the NSW Landcare Gateway and local coordinators, emphasizes Landcare’s inclusivity and urban–rural connection, and highlights benefits like learning, collaboration, and support networks. She also notes the annual/state Landcare conferences and awards, and encourages biodiversity and joining existing local activities.

Learn More About Landcare: Landcare Australia is a national, independent not-for-profit established in 1989. For over 35 years, it has led community and corporate engagement in environmental conservation and sustainable land management, helping protect Australia’s land, water, soils, plants, animals, and ecosystems.

The organisation supports Landcare groups and partners through funding, on-ground project delivery, capacity-building, and knowledge sharing, while also managing large-scale restoration initiatives like the Landcare CarbonSMART program.

Working alongside a network of 6,000 groups and more than 100,000 volunteers, Landcare Australia strengthens biodiversity, restores landscapes, and builds resilience in food and farming systems. As climate change and environmental challenges intensify, its focus remains on innovation, partnerships, and empowering the next generation—including stronger engagement with First Nations communities.

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 and Landcare Intro

00:43 Danielle’s Role Explained

01:16 What Landcare Does Today

03:16 Real Impacts on Ground

04:55 Find or Start a Group

08:14 Future Topics and Big Picture

09:12 Who Can Join Landcare

11:33 Getting Volunteers and Support

12:39 Why Get Involved

14:32 Landcare Conference and Awards

16:07 First Step for Stewardship

17:33 Wrap Up and Thanks

In episode 67 of Agsolutely Fabulous, Gillian and Katja catch up on station life and current issues: Gillian’s new chicks have moved to the chicken house as she tries to identify roosters versus hens and avoid integrating bad egg-eating habits; Katja updates on kids’ end-of-term fatigue, activities, and interest in adding music (possibly drums), plus her own marching band and flute background.

They discuss a reel about bacon being classified among carcinogens but emphasize dose and seeking professional health advice. The conversation turns serious to workplace harassment in rural/ag settings, the need for leaders to acknowledge it, bystanders to act, and Gillian’s involvement in an NFF-related social media incident being handled internally. They give motorists advice for safely passing cattle on roads during dry conditions. They also cover solar/renewable project decommissioning risks when companies go bankrupt, urging bonds and strong contracts, and finish with ABS income statistics showing regional households earn less while often paying more, plus upcoming events, a new burnout-boundaries course, and newsletter/socials.Thank you for being part of this incredible community.

💕 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

• 00:31 Chicks And New Hens
• 02:06 Chicken Coop Tips
• 03:20 Kids Activities And Music
• 05:34 Bacon Cancer Scare
• 08:17 Harassment In Ag
• 14:11 Speak Up And Act
• 15:37 Cattle On Roads Safety
• 18:06 Solar Farms Cleanup Risk
• 19:44 Cleanup Liability Loopholes
• 21:15 Short Term Politics
• 21:43 Contract Bonds and Clauses
• 23:49 Mining Rehab Double Standards
• 25:11 Regional Income Reality
• 26:22 Dubbo Drought Ripple Effects
• 28:08 Mining Towns and Fly In Fly Out
• 30:11 Services Cut After Disasters
• 32:27 Ending on Good News
• 33:34 Conferences Courses and Newsletter
• 36:12 Stay Connected and Wrap Up

In episode 66 of Agsolutely Fabulous, Katja and Gillian answer listener questions and share station updates: Gillian is deep-cleaning a cottage to house a young UK couple starting as station hands, they’re pregnancy testing with strong results, and she’s preparing to renovate a house after heavy rain revealed major roof and gutter leaks that will require carpet removal to assess water damage. They discuss bringing back “Ag Fab of the Week” or a newsletter subscriber giveaway using leftover HarvestHer Power Conference packs, encouraging listeners to nominate themselves or others and provide addresses. Merch has not launched yet due to time and sourcing goals, but they aim to start with basic t-shirts, caps, and stickers and may run a newsletter giveaway. They note the most downloaded episodes remain episode 1 and the WA sheep live export ban episode, joke about a “crocodile” sighting near Bathurst, and address the reality of tick-bite–triggered red meat allergy, outlining symptoms, prevention, safe tick removal, and risks to pets. They brainstorm ideas for a 100th-episode celebration, possibly in Adelaide, and invite guest suggestions.

Thank you for being part of this incredible community.

💕 Support Our Partners

Learn more about Little Farmers here: https://littlefarmers.com.au/blogs/news/why-farm-books-matter

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

In episode 65 of Absolutely Fabulous, Gillian and Katja reunite in the studio to debrief recent events and station updates after widespread rain. Katja describes preparing for sowing oats and other crops and deciding between strip grazing, harvesting seed, or baling for fodder based on seasonal outlook and feed storage, while both discuss misconceptions about farmers’ intelligence and the constant high-stakes decision-making involved. Gillian reports good rain without flooding, knee-high grass, fat cattle, and travel disruptions from wet roads. She also recaps EvokeAg as ag-tech focused, including a cattle-identification-by-noseprint exhibit, and explains Farm Table’s Big City Barbecue and the launch of Farm Table TV as a podcast platform for Australian agricultural shows. Katjaa reviews the 2026 HarvestHer Power Conference, including an MC illness, deep-dive sessions on boundaries, burnout prevention, relationships, and community, notes sponsors, invites input for next year, and shares updates on The Ultimate Farm Wife, sponsorship needs, skincare testing delays, and a Little Farmers literacy feature.

Thank you for being part of this incredible community.

💕 Support Our Partners

Learn more about Little Farmers here: https://littlefarmers.com.au/blogs/news/why-farm-books-matter

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 Studio Reunion Debrief
• 00:21 Rain and Crop Planning
• 01:22 Why Farming Is Complex
• 03:35 Station Update After Rain
• 04:51 EvokeAG Highlights and Critique
• 07:33 Big City Barbecue and Farm Table TV
• 10:16 Harvest Her Power Conference Recap
• 16:10 Farm Wife Identity and Feedback Callout
• 17:29 Podcast Recognition and Mission
• 19:19 Ultimate Farm Wife Season Update
• 21:08 Little Farmers Books and Representation
• 24:35 Wrap Up and Next Episode

In this episode of Agsolutely Fabulous, Katja speaks with Rachel Gordon, a cattle producer near Oberon in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales who runs about 300 breeders with her husband, Andrew, across owned and leased country. They discuss why it’s important to give city kids opportunities in agriculture to bridge the urban–rural divide, including Rach’s experience hosting a motivated Sydney school student for three weeks of work experience after seeing his detailed Facebook post. Rach describes ensuring the arrangement was genuine work experience rather than free labor by exposing him to varied tasks such as cattle work and attending major cattle sales to learn about markets and buyer preferences, and notes the experience reinforced his interest in a cattle career. The conversation also covers ways to find similar young people (including speaking with agriculture teachers), perceived hurdles to hosting work experience, and a focus on farm safety practices. In the second half, they explore matching skills to roles on the farm, including using an organizational chart even in a two-person business; Rach and her husband define roles (CEO/business management versus operations) to improve decision-making, communication, and accountability, using market information, weight gain estimates, and financial considerations to guide sell/hold decisions. Rach also urges people outside agriculture to be curious, seek factual information over inflammatory headlines, and engage in open conversation—particularly around livestock—while encouraging producers to welcome genuinely interested visitors to better connect people with how food is produced.

Thank you for being part of this incredible community.

💕 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

00:28 Meet Rach

00:59 Why City Kids Matter

01:57 A Sydney Student Story

03:45 Making Work Experience Real

05:37 What Stood Out in His Post

06:58 Takeaways and Next Steps

09:59 Safety and Farm Readiness

11:42 Match Skills to Roles

13:46 CEO vs Ops on Farm

19:36 Curiosity About Agriculture

23:26 Closing the Urban Rural Gap

Gillian sits down with Cathy McHugh, Communications Manager at Livestock SA, for a deep dive into why agriculture is so bad at telling its own story — and what to do about it.

📖 Cath's Career Path — from stenographer to the Adelaide Crows, SAFM, Channel 10, and seven years as unit publicist on McLeod's Daughters, before landing in ag comms

🐎 The McLeod's Daughters Effect — how one TV show changed the gender balance on Australian cattle stations, and why representation matters more than the industry gives it credit for

🔍 Losing the SEO War — why animal activist groups have dominated online search results on agriculture for years, and why investing in communications isn't optional anymore

🤝 Working With (Not Against) Rural Media — why farmers need to stop expecting favours from journalists just because they cover ag, and how a good working relationship pays off when things go wrong

💬 Kathie's Top 3 Tips for Telling Your Story Outside Agriculture — don't be humble, believe in your story, and take it beyond your own community

Plus: AI, search visibility, and why staying silent online means becoming invisible.

💕 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 newsletter: https://tr.ee/qd6wlKKB1W

#AgsolutelyFabulous

In this episode of Absolutely Fabulous, Katja Williams sits down with Toni Dingle, author of 'Head Over Boots,' to discuss her experiences living on a cattle property, her writing journey, and her passion for gut health. Toni shares her unique insights into rural life, the importance of resilience, and how food impacts mental and physical health. The conversation touches on the challenges of farming, motherhood, and the media's portrayal of agriculture. Toni also underscores the significance of holistic health approaches and highlights valuable resources for gut health education.

• 00:40 Toni's Background and Life on the Farm
• 01:54 Writing Journey and Inspiration
• 03:38 Challenges and Realities of Farming
• 08:18 Resilience and Life Lessons from Farming
• 11:11 Gut Health and Its Importance
• 16:18 Personal Experiences with Gut Health
• 23:35 Practical Tips for Gut Health
• 26:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Follow Toni on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/workinonafullhouse/

Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonidingle_writes/

Listen to Toni’s podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/that-gut-feeling-doing-it-for-the-kids-podcast/id1569314356

Thank you for being part of this incredible community.

💕 Support Our Partners

Conference Tickets - https://www.123tix.com.au/events/50678/harvest-her-power-conference-2026

THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS

• Fletcher International - https://fletchint.com.au/
• Chamber 262 - https://www.chambers262.com/

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

Early bird tickets for the Harvest Her Power Conference 2026 close TONIGHT at 11:30pm (Jan 31st) — and Episode 61 of AgFab is full of important updates, industry insights and community wins.

In this episode we chat about:

• Lamb Ad success and impact

• Land development & navigating permits

• Early bird ticket reminder

• SheFarmer

• Gillian’s Mini Me competition update

•Thank you to everyone who submitted videos

• More donated ticket opportunities coming (hopefully)

• Two interview episodes coming up

• AgFab returning together after the conference

🎟️ Last chance for Early Bird Tickets After Jan 31st, new ticket offers apply — use code HHP10 for 10% off.

Thank you for being part of this incredible community.

💕 Support Our Partners

Links

Conference Tickets - https://www.123tix.com.au/events/50678/harvest-her-power-conference-2026

THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS

Fletcher International - https://fletchint.com.au/

Chamber 262 - https://www.chambers262.com/

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

💕 Support Our Partners

Links

Conference Tickets - https://www.123tix.com.au/events/50678/harvest-her-power-conference-2026

THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS

Fletcher International - https://fletchint.com.au/

Chamber 262 - https://www.chambers262.com/

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