Life is busy when you're running your own farm, whilst also the president of the National Farmers Federation. Hamish McIntyre and his wife Mary started their own farming business in 1999, working hard to save enough for their first property. Determined to grow and diversify, they've built up to running several properties across Queensland which include irrigated and dryland cropping, feedlots, sheep, cattle, chicken and goats. It's an inspiring self-made story. To learn more Hamish McIntyre of McIntyre Agriculture joins me now.

• Hamish shares his favourite places across the McIntyre Agriculture properties, including the unique flat-top landscapes of far western Queensland and the diverse wildlife of the coastal properties.
• He explains how his early career in agronomy shaped an operation built around diverse income streams, including grazing, dryland cropping, irrigation and feedlots.
• Despite growing up in a farming family, Hamish didn't inherit a family farm and shares how a strong education, saving early and making the most of opportunities helped him and his wife Mary get started.
• For those trying to enter agriculture today, Hamish explains why he still believes it's possible—with hard work, diverse income streams, a strong financial structure and good people around you.
• Drawing on his agronomy background, Hamish explains why adding chicken production gave the business access to its own litter for fertiliser, while also creating another reliable income stream.
• As President of the National Farmers' Federation, Hamish discusses how continuing to farm allows him to bring real-world examples to industry advocacy and why getting involved is so important.
• Hamish shares what he loves about life on the land and how growing up in agriculture shaped his belief in learning by doing, listening to those who came before him and continually adapting.
• He discusses the disconnect between consumers and food production and why Australians should better understand the high standards behind the food they eat.
• After witnessing devastating farming accidents, Hamish reflects on the dangers of agriculture and why workplace health and safety must remain an ongoing priority.
• Looking to the future, Hamish hopes to continue growing the family business organically and give his sons the opportunity to become the sixth generation of farmers in the family.

We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.

Links:

Angie Asimus

Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

National Farmers Federation

Connect with Hamish through the NFF

Produced by Pretty Podcasts

After working in animal health and bio-security, my guest today earned her place as Chief Executive Officer of Sheep Producers Australia at the age of 31. A role that has seen her travel the country – networking with everyone from farmers, to industry partners and government. She's passionate about shaping the future of the sheep industry in this country and she's optimistic about it. To learn more, Bonnie Skinner joins me now.

• Bonnie reflects family trips to the country and the impact they had on her early connection to agriculture.
• With her role taking her across the country, Bonnie shares the part of regional Australia that holds a special place for her.
• From an early interest in horses and animal science to animal health and biosecurity, Bonnie shares the career path that ultimately led her into the agricultural industry.
• As CEO of Sheep Producers Australia, Bonnie takes us inside her role and the challenge of balancing immediate industry issues with longer-term priorities.
• Bonnie discusses the Future Flock Strategy, why the sheep industry is at a turning point and the importance of rebuilding confidence in its future.
• She shares some of the key challenges currently facing the sheep industry, including export and import issues and public perceptions of agriculture.
• Looking ahead, Bonnie discusses the next generation coming through the industry and the importance of creating opportunities for them to shape its future.
• Bonnie shares what she loves most about working in agriculture—the people, the problem-solvers and those driving change across the industry.
• Becoming CEO of Sheep Producers Australia was one of the most unexpected developments in Bonnie's career.
• Bonnie reflects on public misconceptions about agriculture and the opportunity the industry has to help change them.
• Her ultimate dream for the future of the sheep industry is simple: to stop surviving and start thriving.

We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.

Links:

Angie Asimus

Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

The Future Flock Strategy

Sheep Producers Australia

As we look around the agriculture industry and see all the farmers, agronomists, educators, regional leaders and so many more – there's a good chance, a really great teacher helped ignite that passion and learn the skills to succeed. As an ag-teacher, you can often be the very first person to inspire a future industry leader. To learn more about cultivating agricultural careers, Amanda McClaren, a former Mayor, now from Victoria's Seymour College joins me now.

• Amanda shares her favourite regional place—her own chicken farm, where she loves experiencing the surrounding wildlife and natural environment.
• In 2022, Amanda joined the teaching profession and shares what inspired her career shift.
• Amanda takes us inside Seymour College's 15-acre agricultural campus and the school's growing agriculture program.
• Passionate about inspiring the next generation, Amanda explains the philosophy behind her mantra, "You can't be what you can't see."
• She shares some of her students' experiences and how early exposure to agriculture can influence future career paths.
• Amanda discusses how city schools can connect with agricultural schools to give students greater exposure to the industry.
• The challenges students face accessing agricultural education early, and Amanda's push for greater opportunities and a dedicated agricultural high school in Victoria. From growing vegetables to creating meal packs, Amanda shares some of the practical agricultural experiences happening at the school.
• Amanda offers advice for city schools wanting to incorporate meaningful agricultural education into their classrooms.
• Amanda shares Seymour College's involvement in the National Ag Day campaign and a simple soil-health experiment that can introduce agriculture into any classroom. Amanda shares what she loves most about teaching—seeing students' eyes light up and watching their perceptions of agriculture change.
• She reflects on common misconceptions students have about agriculture, as well as some of the assumptions she held herself.
• One of the most unexpected parts of Amanda's journey has been the conversations she's had and the connections she's made along the way.
• Looking to the future, Amanda hopes the work extends beyond herself and Seymour College, with the ultimate dream of a dedicated agricultural school in Victoria.

We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.

Links:

Angie Asimus

Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram

Partnered with Australian Farmers

Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram

Seymour College

Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn

Produced by Pretty Podcasts