Beyond the Farm Gate

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 distinct professions. He talks pest control in viticulture and the solutions he’s exploring for his own property. Finally, he shares his thoughts on the wine industry and how the pandemic has affected the public view on alcohol drinking.

Resources and links:

• Performance Viticulture Website
• Ben Rose on LinkedIn

Send us your story:

• Do you know someone (or are you someone) who’d make a great potential guest on a future episode of Beyond the Farm Gate? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Connect:

• Bendigo Bank Agribusiness website
• Bendigo Bank on Facebook
• Bendigo Bank on X
• Bendigo Bank on LinkedIn
• Bendigo Bank on YouTube

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 farmers a creative hand. Dallas explains DMD marketing and how they help producers present their stories and businesses. She talks about the role Destination Scenic Rim plays in promoting agritourism in the area. Finally, she touches on the struggle of keeping farms within the family and how farmers should be having the hard conversations with the next generation.

Resources and links:

• DMD Marketing Website 
• Destination Scenic Rim Website
• Dallas Davidson on Linkedin

Send us your story:

• Do you know someone (or are you someone) who’d make a great potential guest on a future episode of Beyond the Farm Gate? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Connect:

• Bendigo Bank Agribusiness website
• Bendigo Bank on Facebook
• Bendigo Bank on X
• Bendigo Bank on LinkedIn
• Bendigo Bank on YouTube

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 opening their gates. She also shares her thoughts on agritourism developments, policy changes, and opportunities for farmers across Queensland.

Resources and links:

• Agritourism Queensland website
• Agritourism Queensland on LinkedIn
• Kay Tommerup on LinkedIn

Send us your story:

• Do you know someone (or are you someone) who’d make a great potential guest on a future episode of Beyond the Farm Gate? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Connect:

• Bendigo Bank Agribusiness website
• Bendigo Bank on Facebook
• Bendigo Bank on X
• Bendigo Bank on LinkedIn
• Bendigo Bank on YouTube

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 impacts of international subsidies on agricultural innovation, and his strategies for decision-making and long-term planning on his farm.

Resources and links:

• Nuffield Australia website

Send us your story:

• Do you know someone (or are you someone) who’d make a great potential guest on a future episode of Beyond the Farm Gate? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Connect:

• Bendigo Bank Agribusiness website
• Bendigo Bank on Facebook
• Bendigo Bank on X
• Bendigo Bank on LinkedIn
• Bendigo Bank on YouTube

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 away from almond honey.

Resources and links:

• The Bee Drover website
• Phia’s Bees on Facebook
• Phia’s Bees on Instagram

Send us your story:

• Do you know someone (or are you someone) who’d make a great potential guest on a future episode of Beyond the Farm Gate? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Connect:

• Bendigo Bank Agribusiness website
• Bendigo Bank on Facebook
• Bendigo Bank on X
• Bendigo Bank on LinkedIn
• Bendigo Bank on YouTube

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

This episode is part one of our two-part chat with Phia.

Resources and links:

• The Bee Drover website
• Phia’s Bees on Facebook
• Phia’s Bees on Instagram

Send us your story:

• Do you know someone (or are you someone) who’d make a great potential guest on a future episode of Beyond the Farm Gate? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Connect:

• Bendigo Bank Agribusiness website
• Bendigo Bank on Facebook
• Bendigo Bank on X
• Bendigo Bank on LinkedIn
• Bendigo Bank on YouTube

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 during the midst of a drought. She shares how those experiences led to the creation of First Time Farmer, how she navigated becoming a farming influencer following the unexpectedly massive online response to her content, and how she hopes FOALS can amplify the voices of rural Australians to shine a spotlight on critical issues faced by farming communities around Australia.

Resources and links:

• First Time Farmer website
• FOALS on Instagram
• Katie Nash on Instagram
• Katie Nash on Facebook

Send us your story:

• Do you know someone (or are you someone) who’d make a great potential guest on a future episode of Beyond the Farm Gate? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Connect:

• Bendigo Bank Agribusiness website
• Bendigo Bank on Facebook
• Bendigo Bank on X
• Bendigo Bank on LinkedIn
• Bendigo Bank on YouTube

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 visitors, what experiences are available to guests, and how connecting with animals has led many guests to reconnect with themselves.

Resources and links:

• Mostyn Highland Fold website
• Mostyn Highland Fold on Instagram
• Mostyn Highland Fold on Facebook

Send us your story:

• Do you know someone (or are you someone) who’d make a great potential guest on a future episode of Beyond the Farm Gate? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Connect:

• Bendigo Bank Agribusiness website
• Bendigo Bank on Facebook
• Bendigo Bank on X
• Bendigo Bank on LinkedIn
• Bendigo Bank on YouTube

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 starting, and how selling her produce directly at markets has led to stronger connections with her customers and community.

Resources and links:

• Piggery Road Permaculture on Facebook
• No-Till Growers website
• Penelope Swales website
• Totally Gourdgeous on Bandcamp
• Alistair Hulett ‘Songs for Social Justice Award’ website

Send us your story:

• Do you know someone (or are you someone) who’d make a great potential guest on a future episode of Beyond the Farm Gate? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Connect:

• Bendigo Bank Agribusiness website
• Bendigo Bank on Facebook
• Bendigo Bank on X
• Bendigo Bank on LinkedIn
• Bendigo Bank on YouTube

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 story of how Russell came to be known as the Sunflower Man and why the Kalbar Sunflower Festival is dedicated to spreading joy and raising money for cancer and palliative care initiatives.

You can stream Growing Happiness on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV now.

Resources and links:

• Kalbar Sunflowers website

Send us your story:

• Do you know someone (or are you someone) who’d make a great potential guest on a future episode of Beyond the Farm Gate? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Connect:

• Bendigo Bank Agribusiness website
• Bendigo Bank on Facebook
• Bendigo Bank on X
• Bendigo Bank on LinkedIn
• Bendigo Bank on YouTube

In this podcast any opinions, estimates and projections are for informational purposes only and any advice provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal needs, objectives and financial circumstances. You should consider whether it is appropriate for your situation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.