L: Thea Walker is a fourth-generation farmer from Manjimup, WA, where her family grows avocados, passionfruit, truffles, and raises livestock. With a Bachelor of Agribusiness from Curtin and experience on a Kimberley cattle station, she now works as a horticultural consultant with Planfarm. In 2023, she received the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant for her project addressing avocado food waste. Recently named the 2024 WA Rural Ambassador, Thea is passionate about advocating for sustainable practices and the future of Australian agriculture.

In this episode, cohost Kayla (IG: @kaylajaydee_), with nearly a decade of experience in agricultural workforce management, shares essential tips for farmers looking to improve their approach to managing on-farm employees. From better workforce planning and navigating employment fundamentals to mastering employee performance management and boosting retention, Kayla provides practical advice that helps build a more efficient, effective, and satisfied team. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or just getting started, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you succeed in managing your most valuable asset: your people.

Mia Ryan is the founder and creative force behind Howdy (IG: @howdy.global), a unique dating app designed to bridge the gap for those seeking genuine connections in rural Australia. At just 22, Mia launched Howdy to address the unique challenges of dating in the bush, where small-town dynamics and limited dating pools can make it tough to find a meaningful relationship. Raised on a farm herself, Mia understands firsthand the demands of agricultural life and the desire to connect with someone who truly understands rural values and lifestyle.

Erin Lukey (IG: @erinlukey) is a passionate agriculture analyst. After being introduced to the industry through her Sydney high school, Erin decided to study further, choosing to complete a Bachelor of Agriculture through the University of New England. After this, Erin moved into a Rural Affairs policy position, working alongside producers and government to advocate for policy positions ranging from AgVet chemical regulation, biosecurity and animal welfare, to telecommunications, innovation and technology. 

After three years with the NFF, Erin was craving a change, so moved to northern Australia for a year as a ringer. Here, she was introduced to an extremely practical side of the industry, working within an extensive program, mustering and processing tens of thousands of cattle. 

Currently she is the Senior Market Information Analyst at Meat & Livestock Australia, focusing on red meat market dynamics, providing a range of informative and educational analysis for the supply chain.

Don't forget to send us an email if you know of a story that we should tell at [email protected]

*Become a Patreon Partner* - https://patreon.com/generationag

Mil and Tess are the dynamic duo behind (IG: @theprimarysource_) a podcast dedicated to shining a light on the stories and people within the agricultural industry. With backgrounds rooted in farming, both Mil and Tess bring a fresh, authentic perspective to every conversation, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of life on the land. Their passion for connecting with rural communities and sharing the realities of agriculture makes The Primary Source an essential listen for those interested in farming, sustainability, and the future of food production.

Kane Gerrets (L: @Kane Gerrets) is the Agricultural Youth Initiatives Manager for the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.  Within this role he organises, The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman State Final, RAS Rural Achiever Award, RAS Young Judges Competitions, RAS NSW Young Farmer Challenge State Final, RAS Youth Group events and all RAS AgriLink initiatives. 

Kane is dedicated to promoting agricultural opportunities across rural, regional, and remote NSW, traveling extensively across the state to engage with young people and support their growth in the industry. 

Growing up on the NSW Central Coast, Kane moved to Bega for a year after school where his passion for rural Australia and the people within it was fully cemented. 

Kane is extremely passionate about networking with people from all walks of life to link others with the best possible opportunities. 

Don't forget to send us an email if you know of a story that we should tell at [email protected]

*Become a Patreon Partner* - https://patreon.com/generationag

Ben McKenzie, (L: @ben-mckenzie) Manager of New Enterprises at AgriFutures Australia. Ben’s role is to explore new revenue streams for agricultural industries, with a focus on environmental markets, renewables, waste management, by-product commercialisation, biofuels, and farm diversification. His goal? To help build resilient and profitable agricultural sectors across Australia.

Don't forget to send us an email if you know of a story that we should tell at [email protected]

Charlie Thurgate (IG: @charlie21thurgate) is a 23-year-old farmer from Tamworth, NSW, who manages Kamilaroi Cattle Company (IG: @kamilaroicattlecompany), a direct-to-consumer and wholesale cattle operation. Having worked across various farming operations since the age of 16, Thurgate has developed a comprehensive skillset and approach to agriculture.

At Kamilaroi Cattle Company, Charlie is dedicated to producing beef that benefits the environment. The company operates under a natural farming system that incorporates ultra high-density grazing, multispecies cropping, and compost extract to regenerate the landscape. Cattle are moved 3-4 times a day, ensuring that over 90% of available forage is utilised. The company employs a natural approach to breeding composite cattle, selecting breeds that are well-suited to the Australian climate while consistently producing high-quality beef.

Charlie likes prioritises the health of their livestock by avoiding blanket pharmaceutical treatments. Instead, they use natural ingredients and products to maintain optimal health, resorting to pharmaceuticals only as a last option.

The final chapter of Kamilaroi Cattle Company's story is selling their beef directly to consumers and through butchers. Thurgate aims to ensure that customers are well-informed about the origins of their beef, the methods used to raise the animals, and the environmental impact of their choices. Ultimately, he wants customers to have confidence that they are consuming nutrient-dense, high-quality beef.

After completing a Bachelor of Business (Agribusiness) from Marcus Oldham College, Oscar McLean (L: @Oscar-McLean) worked for a major financial institution in the Southern NSW region with exposure to the management of an extensive portfolio of Agribusiness clients, providing ongoing relationship management and tailored solutions to primary producers and Ag supply chain businesses. Oscar has a strong understanding of family-run farming operations and commercial pre and post-farm gate businesses and is passionate about assisting client's businesses to grow while minimising the risk of financial hardship through appropriate debt structuring. With a focus and interest in assisting clients in navigating the current finance industry and ensuring the intergenerational financial success of farming families by providing a holistic understanding of their business needs both now and for future generations.

Don't forget to send us an email if you know of a story that we should tell at [email protected]

Michael Williams (IG: @fat.farmers) has a rich and diverse background that has led him to his current role as General Manager of Fat Farmers. 

His journey started with childhood experiences on a family farm near  Adelaide, which instilled in him a deep connection to farming  communities. His career path has been varied, including hotels, real estate  sales, logistics at Qantas, and successfully founding a national PropTech  startup, which was acquired in 2022. 

After briefly retiring in the Limestone Coast region, Michael found himself  drawn to volunteer work with Fat Farmers, distributing thousands of  calendars to local communities. His involvement grew, leading to his role  as Project Officer and now General Manager as of 2024. For Michael, Fat  Farmers is more than just a job; it's a passion project close to his heart,  allowing him to give back to communities that he cares deeply about. 

Michael's fondest experiences involve witnessing the connections and  support fostered within Fat farmers groups, reflecting the genuine  appreciation from farmers and their partners. Now based in Adelaide, he  is enthusiastic about expanding Fat Farmers' reach to more towns across  Australia.

Don't forget to send us an email if you know of a story that we should tell at [email protected]