In part two of this special three-part series, host Sam Fryer sits down again with former AgForce Membership Officer Janice Tressler for an honest and reflective conversation about the rise, decline, and future of agricultural membership organisations.

In the early years of AgForce, membership quickly grew to nearly 10,000 producers as agriculture rallied behind one united voice. But over time, membership numbers declined and today, the landscape of industry representation looks very different.

Janice also shares her personal reflections from decades spent working directly with producers across Queensland and what she believes organisations like AgForce need to do moving forward to remain relevant.

This is a thoughtful conversation about advocacy, culture, membership, and the changing face of agriculture in Australia.

🧑‍🌾 Proudly brought to you by AgForce Queensland.

🔗 Learn more or become a member:
https://www.agforceqld.org.au

The story of AgForce didn’t happen overnight — it was built through challenge, change, and the people willing to step up when the industry needed it most.

In this episode of Yarns from the Paddock, host Sam Fryer sits down with Janice Tressler for the first instalment of a special series diving into the history of AgForce and the people behind it.

Janice shares her journey from volunteering during one of Queensland’s toughest droughts, through to becoming part of the foundation of AgForce as we know it today. From answering phones and supporting struggling farmers, to navigating the merger of three major organisations, her story offers a unique insight into the early days of agricultural advocacy in Queensland.

Janice also shares some behind-the-scenes stories from the early days — giving a rare and personal look at the people and moments that helped shape one of Queensland agriculture’s most important organisations.

This is a powerful and honest conversation about resilience, opportunity, and the role individuals can play in building something bigger than themselves.

🧑‍🌾 Proudly brought to you by AgForce Queensland, advocating for sustainable and profitable agriculture across the state.

🔗 To learn more, stay up to date, or become a member, visit:
https://www.agforceqld.org.au

The EPBC reforms are already creating concern across Queensland agriculture — but what do they actually mean for producers on the ground?

In this episode of Yarns from the Paddock, host Sam Fryer is joined by Adam Armstrong, from the AgForce Cattle Board and EPBC Taskforce, and Josefine Pettersson from AgForce Queensland, to break down one of the biggest policy issues currently facing producers.

Together, they unpack what the EPBC Act is, what’s changed under the recent reforms, and why AgForce has been working so hard behind the scenes to push for more clarity and more practical outcomes for farmers.

In this conversation, we cover:

• What the EPBC Act actually is and why it matters to agriculture
• The key changes that have producers paying attention
• How routine on-farm activities like fencing, vegetation management and water infrastructure could now be impacted
• What the self-assessment and referral process looks like in practice
• Why the current system is causing uncertainty for producers
• The disconnect between policy intent and real-world farm management
• Why native vegetation management in Queensland is more complex than just “locking it up and leaving it”
• How AgForce is advocating to make sure agricultural realities are recognised
• What producers should be doing now to stay informed and protect themselves

Adam also shares his own experience working through the self-assessment requirements on his property, while Josefine explains the policy, advocacy and ongoing negotiations taking place with government.

This is a practical, straight-talking episode for any producer trying to understand what these reforms could mean for their operation and why ignoring them could come at a real cost.

🧑‍🌾 Proudly brought to you by AgForce Queensland, advocating for sustainable and profitable agriculture across the state.

🔗 To learn more, stay up to date, or become a member, visit:
https://www.agforceqld.org.au

🔗 For more information on AgForce’s EPBC reform work, visit:
https://www.agforceqld.org.au/knowledgebase/article/AGF-02774/