We won't be able to give Esther Price justice in this blog, but if you have ever been in the room with her then you know just how ExtraOrdinary she is. The influence she has on people around her is incredible, particularly when she is on stage, she really is absolutely captivating.

Esther calls Western Australia (WA) home and always has. She is about to become a Grandmother and is more physically fit than ever.

Founder and CEO of IVM Group, Nick Bloor describes his business as having a mission to improve people's lives through plant science. 

At only 19 years old, Nick founded his first business in vegetation management space. 

“I was going to be a lawyer and got a bit of a light bulb moment.”

“That (law) wasn't an area that I was going to be able to make a difference. And maybe that had something to do with the fact that I reckon I'd be a pretty crappy lawyer that I switched to horticulture.”

To describe Sarah Sivyer as worldly and business savvy would be absolutely under-selling her. Sarah describes herself as a ‘serious data nerd’ and a ‘serious business model nerd’. After sitting down with her to record the podcast, we believe it and love it!

“I'm going to sound a bit wacky, I just love excellent businesses.”

Tessa Chartres is the 2024 Zanda McDonald Award winner, in this episode she shares part of her story to falling in love in and with the Riverina, the importance of Water to Riverina communities, the Arts and culture aspect and importance the Conservatorium has to the town of Deni and her plans for her upcoming Zanda Mentoring trip.

“I don't want to make it sound too fluffy, but it lit a fire inside of me. And it was like, ‘Hey, I'm going to build a tech business in the bush’.” 

And that’s exactly what Mark did.

“Tech was disrupting every other industry, but it hadn't really disrupted agriculture.”

“I wanted to start something where we could solve a problem straight away for farmers.”

Hamish Marr has been in the room for some of New Zealand Agriculture’s key discussions, yet the moment that he is most proud of and one that has defined his career more than any other was when a young boy asked him if he could teach him to be a farmer.

The road less travelled to finding liquid gold “you have to do it differently” with Fiona and Liam Mann

“You've just got to be there, in the discussion, because something will trigger something and make you think, and I think that's the best thing” - Ted

18 months ago, tragedy struck at the Langley’s property at Pine Hill in South Australia.

After suffering a medical episode, Ted Langley’s brother would pass away. After 30 years in Partnership, the succession to the next generation would be immediate.

140 years on from when the Langley family would first establish themselves on the property, Ted alongside his daughter and two nephews are continuing the families legacy.

“If you can see it, you can be it”

- Marty Lovegrove

Growing up, Martin Lovegrove, who is most definitely a ‘Marty’, dreamt of being a shearer, just like his Dad.

By his mid teenage years with plenty of time on the boards of the woolshed, Marty’s career aspirations would shift from fleece to fields. A pathway mapped, to finish school and proceed to tertiary education.

“I went [to University] to meet people, which is the biggest part of agriculture, probably.”

Like many young adults, returning home was a drawcard, however it was the encouragement of his father that would see Marty move further afield, securing a job with the Department of Agriculture on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.

“I get nervous because English isn’t my first language and sometimes I forget the word I want to say. I’ll probably have jelly legs and a shaky voice, but I am really excited.”

Stories like Roberta Marcoli’s bring a smile to our face, and we are cheering that she has found her pathway in Aussie Agriculture.

It would be easy to think that her passion for aquaculture was fostered as a child growing up in a small fishing village in Italy, however, it was actually a trip to the aquarium that sparked a love for the ocean.

Nigel Corish was born with Cerebal Palsy, living with a disability has shaped much of his life outlook and amongst the challenges, it has fostered a need to be adaptive and think outside the box, you could say, it’s even a superpower.

Born and bred in Goondiwindi, his entire family are involved in Agriculture. His parents moved to the region in 1979, converting a sheep and cattle property to dryland cropping. The move to growing cotton in 1982 would be instrumental in the family’s success today.

“It doesn’t matter who you are or what your background is, everyone can have a go.”

Natalie Bell was living in Sydney when a change in her High School would ultimately ignite a passion for showing cattle that would go on to shape her career.

She loved it so much that she went to Sydney University and studied Agricultural Science with a major in Livestock Production.

Her career so far has taken her along the east coast of Australia to learn all she can related to the red meat industry, farming, and sustainability.

The Guardian of the Vines: "Nature has a profound impact on our passions" with Nigel Blieschke.

"Growing up on an isolated sheep and cattle farm in South Australia profoundly influenced my perspective on agriculture."

Surrounded by the remarkable landscape of the Flinders Ranges, rich in diversity alongside his Grandfather's interest and care for the natural environment that have played a significant role in shaping Nigel Blieschke interests.

"Childhood experiences often shape our understanding, and mine laid the foundation for a connection to the land."

Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities: A Conversation with Julia Spicer

“From market to market there are lots of different issues that emerge with agricultural producers. Some of the smaller to medium size businesses don't have access to basic technology, whether it was too expensive or they didn’t know about it.

In areas like Sri Lanka it’s a lot more accentuated than other areas. It was core infrastructure that was lacking, like understanding how exports are done and taking cross-border payments.

The point was that there were big gaps where basic technology was missing, so we started working on that. So that’s what my project is on, giving access and know-how to agribusinesses around the world on technology and innovation.”

When it comes to things synonymous with visiting a farm, a tour is right up there. Sam Coulton takes great pride in it, so much so, that within his business he has established a dedicated crew to lead farm tours to support the education and understanding on their cotton farm near Goondiwindi.

The Coulton family have incredible ties in farming, Sam entered the world in the 1950’s and the farming businesses evolved from humble beginnings, including mixed grain and livestock farming, has a clothing and fashion business Goondiwindi Cotton attached to it

Over 60 years ago, an American farmer would be reading the American Farm Bureau magazine. Unbeknown to him, it was a moment that would prove pivotal in the development of Australia’s cotton industry and Australian agriculture would never look the same again…

Science in Agriculture Enabling Dr Katia Taylor to have the Impact she Wants to have on the World - 2024 evokeAG. Future Young Leader.

“We can solve big societal and environmental problems using science. And agriculture for me is the most important.”

Chatting all things Plants and Tech with Guy Coleman - 2024 evokeAG. Future Young Leader.

Geneticists, biologists and evolutionists are regular company for Guy Coleman.

He has moved around the globe learning all he can about plants, particularly from the research lens. It’s landed Guy in Denmark at the University of Copenhagen where he currently resides.

Fritz Bolten came to Australia as an 11 year old, unable to speak English his family set about establishing a family farming operation in the remote Kimberley of Western Australia.

He shares his story and the learnings of courage, pursuing dreams and legacy through his life.