Beyond the Farm Gate

Alana Johnson AM is a Founding Member of Australian Women in Agriculture (AWiA). For over thirty years, Alana has dedicated herself to advancing gender equality, empowering communities, and advocating for change in rural Australia.

In this episode, Alana opens up about how free university tuition in the seventies led her to a life of advocating for equality and reflects on how the needs of rural women and the aims of Australian Women in Agriculture have changed over time.

Resources and links:

• Australian Women in Agriculture (AWiA) website
• Rural Women Online website
• Alana Johnson AM 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:

• Rural Bank website
• Rural Bank on Facebook
• Rural Bank on Twitter
• Rural Bank on LinkedIn
• Rural 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.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angie Nisbet and Shona Larkin are sisters and Co-founders of FarmHER Hands. FarmHER Hands offers stylish and practical UPF50+ sun protection gloves for women, men, and children.

In this episode, Angie and Shona explain how their experiences with sun damage and skin cancer led them to create FarmHER Hands. They share their passion for agriculture, innovation, and community and how they intend to empower women and families to embrace sun safety.

Resources and links:

• FarmHER Hands 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:

• Rural Bank website
• Rural Bank on Facebook
• Rural Bank on Twitter
• Rural Bank on LinkedIn
• Rural 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.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Hagan is a Farmer at McIvor Farm Foods with his wife and business partner, Belinda. Jason and Belinda operate a regenerative free-range pig farm and have recently introduced sheep and cattle into their regenerative model.

In this episode, Jason shares how McIvor Farm Foods approaches regenerative practices and why they bring in steam-treated green waste from Melbourne. He also opens up about the butchering side of the business and the customer feedback he has received at farmers' markets.

Resources and links:

• McIvor Farm Foods 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:

• Rural Bank website
• Rural Bank on Facebook
• Rural Bank on Twitter
• Rural Bank on LinkedIn
• Rural 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.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Jochinke is a Farmer in the Wimmera and President of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF). The NFF is the peak national body representing and advocating for farmers and the agricultural industry in Australia.

In this episode, David discusses his experiences as a farmer and how they inform his ability to serve as the head of the NFF. He shares his insights about leadership, what the ag industry needs to focus on in the coming years, and how he effectively advocates for the needs of Aussie producers.

Resources and links:

• National Farmers’ Federation website

• David Jochinke 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:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural Bank on YouTube

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re doing something slightly different to round out 2024 on Beyond the Farm Gate!

In this episode, Zali introduces Matt and Helen as they all discuss how their experiences brought them to host the podcast. They share why ag matters to them, the lessons Matt has learnt by running a farm with his wife, how Helen and Zali both embraced lives in different countries, and they answer the all-important question: when you’re on the farm, what brand of workboots do you wear?

Resources and links:

• Agriculture Outlook report for 2025

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:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural 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.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quentin and Renee Mooney are the husband and wife duo behind Mt Mooney Simmentals in Culburra, South Australia. Mt Mooney Simmentals is a family-owned and operated cattle stud focused on producing tough, healthy cattle.

In this episode, Quentin and Renee explain why they breed Simmentals and where they think the breed is headed. They also share their journey of buying their farm, how they supported themselves through the early years of the stud, and why prospective farmers should follow their dreams even if they aren't from a farming family.

Resources and links:

• Mt Mooney Simmentals website

• Mt Mooney Simmentals 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:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural 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.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is part two of our two-part chat with Mark Wootton. In the last episode, Mark shared his journey with carbon-neutral farming and why he became an early adopter in Australia.

In this episode, Mark explains the role of vegetation in carbon sequestration and the challenges involved in trying to achieve net-zero targets. He emphasises ongoing efforts towards methane and carbon reduction, acknowledges the progress towards 2030 targets, and shares practical tips for long-term tree planting, managing carbon footprints, and why staying carbon neutral is an ongoing process and not a one-time change.

Resources and links:

• Jigsaw Farms website

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural 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.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Wootton is the Owner-Operator of Jigsaw Farms with his wife, Eve. Jigsaw Farms is a carbon-neutral sheep, cattle, and agroforestry farm near Hamilton.

In this episode, Mark explains how integrating sustainable practices such as agroforestry and biodiversity in 2010 has transformed Jigsaw Farms. He also discusses the challenges of maintaining carbon neutrality, understanding the carbon market, and the future of sustainable agriculture.

This episode is part one of our two-part chat with Mark. Join us for the next episode, where Mark shares more lessons he learnt on the carbon-neutral journey.

Resources and links:

• Jigsaw Farms website

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural 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.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Blore is a Grazier on Belmont Station at Silverton near Broken Hill. Belmont Station is a fully operational sheep and goat farm that regularly hosts some of the biggest celebrities in Aussie music including Missy Higgins, Birds of Tokyo, The Angels, Kasey Chambers, and more.

In this episode, John shares how he balances his farming operation with hosting the massive Mundi Mundi Music Festival, which drew 14,000 attendees this year alone. He also explains how diversifying his farm brought Hollywood knocking as a filming location for the latest Mad Max film.

Resources and links:

• Mundi Mundi Music Festival website

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural 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.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is part two of our two-part chat with Brent Finlay. In the last episode, Brent shared how one conversation sparked a decade-long leadership journey. He opened up about the importance of advocating for farmers domestically and internationally and what he learned from the experience.

In this episode, Brent shares how he got involved with RELA, an organisation committed to generating renewable energy. He explains how he helps farmers negotiate the best deal if renewable energy firms and mining companies come knocking to establish projects on the farm.

Resources and links:

• RELA website

• Brent Finlay on LinkedIn

Connect:

• Rural Bank website

• Rural Bank on Facebook

• Rural Bank on Twitter

• Rural Bank on LinkedIn

• Rural 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.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.