Profitable Farmer

As always, it is great to speak with Terry Tran and get an update on what is happening across our economy and the global investment landscape.

We all have a role to play in inspiring our next generation of farmers – now there is a compelling program and pathway to make this happen.

‘Farm Systems’ or ‘Grower Groups’ play a pivotal part in our farming landscape. 

It’s incredible seeing the results members of our Platinum Mastermind are achieving, their commitment to the program and the progression of their business and personal development.

FOA Alumni Members David (Diesel) & Rhianne Low, make a great example of this.

Commencing the program in July 2017, Diesel & Rhianne have become valued members and real contributors to our growing community. Starting as a mixed farm struggling for profitability, the operation was completely dependent on them, with Diesel typically working 80 hours per week. It is fair to say that they have completely transformed their business and lives.

Benchmarking and the support of our Analytics Team helped them decide to focus on ONE enterprise to achieve more focus and scale.

Forecasting and Decision Support Tools have allowed them to set down a financial roadmap that provides them more confidence in the resilience and performance of their business model for years to come.

Their 2 Page Strategic Plan helps them remain aligned and focused together as they prioritise business improvement through structured annual and quarterly meetings.

Having a Business Coach dedicated to their success has helped them navigate some challenging business and personal times, and consistently held them accountable for the implementation of their plan and toward their compelling goals.

FOA’s Personal Development Training has helped them together move from a mindset of blame, lack and hardship to one of positivity, abundance and gratitude.

The Business Development Training has supported them to set down structures, systems and professional disciplines that drive on-farm efficiency, and support an on-farm team that helps them get it done and enjoy more balance, fun and freedom in their lives.

Last, but certainly not least, the friendships and the community they are now part of is a highlight of their 7-year journey with FOA.

The FOA Team are delighted to welcome Rhianne Low into our Team as an Accountability Coach. We also highly value Diesel’s contribution as a mentor to others in the program.

Diesel & Rhianne, thank you for your positivity and for being such dedicated members of the FOA Alumni & Community. And thank you for sharing your story and FOA journey with us.

Simply, incredible.

Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team

In this episode, I am delighted to introduce to you Zoe Lamont, owner of Farm Door Riverina, a growing regional food business providing ready-made, wholesome meals to busy families, retirees and the elderly across Australia.

Growing up on a farm near Junee, Zoe has deep ties to the land and a vision for bringing high-quality, wholesome, locally sourced food to families across Australia.

Zoe shares her journey from farm life to buying and then building a highly successful business, with her husband Frank, that not only supports local producers but also brings the best of what we grow directly to people's tables. We explore:

• The origins of Farm Door Riverina

A team now of over 30 providing over 3,000 meals per day, Zoe & Frank’s story is a powerful reminder of how good quality food can change lives and bring happiness and wellness to households across Australia. 

It is also a reminder to us all to stay true to our values, even when the chips are down, and put integrity and a commitment to quality at the forefront of everything we do.

If you are looking to provide farm produce more directly to the consumer or explore new ways to diversify your farm's income, this episode will leave you inspired to think bigger about the impact you can have.

More information about Frank, Zoe and the Farm Door story can be found here: https://farmdoor.com.au/pages/our-story

Thank you, Frank, Zoe and your team for all you do. I appreciate you sharing your story.

Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team

In complement to our last two episodes that focus on on-farm culture and team, in this episode, I explore a question we receive often:

There is an important set of business practices and disciplines that need to be in place and effective prior to establishing a Board. It is important that as business owners we retain ownership and full responsibility for key elements of our businesses’ strategic plan, performance analysis, budgets and operational plans. It is important we have reasonable expectations of Board Members and do not expect them to do the ‘hard work’ on these important elements of business leadership for us. It is also important to be very careful who we invite onto our Board, and what we should reasonably expect from them.

Let’s be real for a moment, farm business ownership is a very complex assignment. We are exposed to the vagaries of the season and the markets. We run complex businesses in isolated settings with our families.

To be in the top 20% of our industry – like the elite athletes we see achieving so much presently at the Olympics – it is important that we have the right advisers around us and that we engage with them in a proactive and highly professional way. It is also important that we immerse ourselves with peers and in a community that is growth-oriented, open-minded and committed to excellence.

I feel privileged to be part of the Farm Owner Academy team and community, and I thank all of our Platinum Mastermind and Alumni Members for their contribution to our elite and high-performing community of farming families.

I hope this episode adequately answers these important questions, and challenges you to ensure you have the people you most need around you to support your success.

Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team

CULTURE - we all have one, whether we like it or not. Within our business, our family, even our community.

Leaving our culture unchecked can be a disaster. Accepting a sub optimal culture can be destroying... for you AND those around you.

At Farm Owners Academy, we believe deeply in creating high-performing teams and cultures, both in family AND business.

Once again giving you special insight into our Platinum Mastermind program, this episode is an excerpt from a previous 'Growth Call' webinar that I run monthly with our members.

In this particular coaching call, I call on my old mate and past business partner, Simon Harris to dive deep into the essential elements of building a thriving culture within your farm business. Si brings a wealth of experience and insights into creating an environment where your team can excel and your business can flourish.

Specifically, we explore:

• What is company culture

Throughout our conversation, we emphasise the impact that a positive culture can have on overall business performance. From increased employee engagement to improved operational efficiency, creating the right culture is a game-changer for any farm business. Si provides actionable tips and real-world examples that you can implement in your own operations to start seeing immediate benefits.

Whether you're struggling with team dynamics or looking to take your farm's culture to the next level, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice. Tune in to discover how you can create a thriving culture that drives success in your farming business.

Enjoy!

Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team

It is clear to me that so many of us are under-resourced.

As such, we dedicate 20-40 hours per week to low-value farm activity, often at the expense of CEO-level tasks. For me, this continued focus on low-value activity might save a wage, but it's costing you a FORTUNE. This episode is all about how to break free from that cycle and step into the role of a true business leader.

Giving you special insight into our Platinum Mastermind program, this episode is an excerpt from a previous 'Growth Call' webinar that I run monthly with our members.

During this call, I am joined by Farm Owners Academy CEO, Sam Johnson, and we have an open conversation with our members about:

• Identifying where and why we are under-resourced.

Thank you, Andrew Driscoll, for sharing your experience in this area, and thank you all for your involvement in this important conversation. Andrew's journey from feeling overwhelmed to strategically resourcing his farm provides a real-world example of the transformation possible when we back ourselves and our vision.

To have a FREEDOM FARM, we need to build out our dream team. Let's back ourselves to each get on and get this done!

Keep winning.

Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team

Nuffield International’s vision is to inspire people to make a difference in the world of agriculture.

It is fair to say this great organisation is truly achieving it’s global vision- directly as a result of the many great leaders of Nuffield, like Jim Geltch, who have committed much of their careers to making this happen.

It was a privilege for me to speak this week with a fellow scholar and good friend of my father’s, Jim Geltch about the Nuffield farming scholarship program and the significant impact this unique and very special organisation has had on our industry, both locally and globally. For more information on how to apply for a Nuffield Scholarship, click here

Jim started farming in 1971 in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area at Whitton growing rice, row cropping and ultimately into tomato production. This led him to later taking up a leadership position managing the Australian operations for New Zealand’s tomato processing company, Cedenco.

As a long-serving guardian of the Nuffield farming scholarship program, Jim served as CEO Nuffield Australia 2005-2016, Nuffield International CEO 2008-2020, having completed a Nuffield Scholarship tour himself in 1986.

Over that time Nuffield expanded to be a truly international foundation and a greatly expanded global community of scholars.

Jim has since been awarded an Australian Order for Services to Agriculture, and the Rabobank Leadership Award recognising the fundamentally important role he had played developing upcoming leadership in the Australian and New Zealand food, fibre & agribusiness sector.

It is my hope, through this interview, that we advocate for the Nuffield farming scholarship program and that we honour the immense contribution that Jim has had made to this organisation and it’s community of industry leaders.

Thank you Jim for a career advocating for the next generation of leaders in our industry, and for your immense contribution to Nuffield and to Australian Agriculture.

Sincerely,

Jeremy

Imagine losing your arms, legs, body and your entire outlook on life… at age 19.

Imagine being in the prime of your life, only to have it all taken away.

Imagine having to start over, come to terms with that hardship, yet find the determination to get on with life.

Imagine how hard it would be to ‘stand back up’ and turn up to life again.

Then, imagine successfully re-creating yourself, finding the woman of your dreams and excelling in a 35-plus-year career as a successful farm business owner.

Imagine finding a way to farm, ski, drive, fly and so much more again!

Imagine complementing all of this with a 20-plus year career on the speaking and education circuit; dedicating your life to helping and inspiring men & women and children of all ages to face adversity, overcome their hardship and live their best lives.

Ladies & Gentlemen, meet Sam & Jenny Bailey.

For me, this conversation was a genuine privilege.I love the opportunity I have to share great Australian stories.

Sam & Jenny, you are truly wonderful, on so many levels. You are a great example of companionship, determination, courage and true grit.

We look forward to having you with us at our next FOA event, and to welcoming you into our community.

For anyone wanting to connect directly with Sam & Jenny, you can find them here.

For anyone wanting to read or share their book ‘Head Over Heels’, you can access it here.

And for anyone wanting to help Sam on his mission to be the world’s first quadriplegic helicopter pilot!! you can learn more and do that here.

Thank Sam & Jenny, for helping us all keep perspective and be appreciative in times of need.

Hutch & Farm Owners Academy Team

P.S. Would you like to take advantage of a 60-minute coaching session with one of our leading coaches at Farm Owners Academy?

We are currently offering 15 free sessions to our podcast listeners where you will be able to sit down, overcome obstacles and gain clarity in your farming business with guidance from an experienced coach. Click here to book your session before spots fill out.