Carbon, Capital and Courage: Hugh Killen on the opportunity in Ag’s Next Chapter

In the first episode of this special AgRi-silience series, we visit Mark and Rachel McInerney at Riverton, South Australia, to hear how they've navigated adversity, redefined their roles on the farm, and turned professional development into a catalyst for business renewal.In this chat you'll hear:How an HR masterclass became the starting point for major business change The impact of back-to-back climate challenges and how they planned through uncertaintyHow weekly planning, clear roles, and external coaching transformed their partnershipThe story behind launching their direct-to-consumer beef businessHow involving their children is shaping a future-ready sixth generationKey Takeaways:Resilience isn’t just surviving tough years, it’s planning for the next tenGround rules and family meetings can turn tension into teamworkProfessional development is for every age, every stageBalancing passion with profitability is possible, even during droughtChapters:00:00 The McInerney family journey so far05:57 Adapting business models and financial strategies09:00 The shift in roles and responsibilities11:59 Seeking external help and professional development21:06 Mental load and work-life balance28:32 Transforming communication in a family business dynamic44:04 Balancing growth and personal joyFor the diary!Book your seat at the AgRi-silience Cut Out Dinner. It's a tough year for a lot of producers so this is a great opportunity to come together, reset, and gain strength from shared stories and collective resilience.Links and resources:Check out the McInerneys’ beef business at Garyowen HerefordsMore episodes of Humans of Agriculture This episode is made possible by LivestockSA’s AgRi-silience program, designed to help South Australian producers strengthen their business, financial, and people management skills. Learn more at www.livestocksa.org.au. AgRi-Silience is part of the Farm Business Resilience Program, delivered by Livestock SA and jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia.If you enjoyed this episode, share with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected].  Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review! [insert copy here]

A couple weeks back, I spotted through the Global Food Forum that Nutrien Ag Solutions has decided to partner with Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia. This move marks a big investment in how the ag industry interacts with the next generation of producers. So I decided to ring up Carissa Buckland, who works in Nutrien as their Director of Corporate Affairs.Carissa shares her unconventional journey from studying history and politics to working on farms and eventually climbing the corporate ladder in agri-business. This conversation explores the wide variety of career paths in agriculture and the importance of helping young people navigate their way into the industry. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ag Workforce Challenges02:53 Nutrien's Graduate Program and Recruitment Strategies05:50 Diversity and Inclusion in Agriculture08:47 Partnerships for Education in Agriculture12:00 Career Opportunities Beyond Farming14:57 Empowering Women in Agriculture LeadershipResources:Nutrien Ag Solutions: nutrienagsolutions.com.auLearn more about PEIFA: piefa.edu.auHumans of Agriculture: humansofagriculture.com

Derek Peterson has had a colorful career.He's found himself at the head of ROAM, an agriculture tech company trying to solve the problem of methane emissions. But he didn't get there following the 'traditional path.' In this chat we cover his career so far, from  working on Wall Street to becoming a visionary entrepreneur whose journey expertise bridge traditional agriculture, finance, and the  emerging industry of  — medicinal cannabis.In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, we dive into the intersection between innovation, agriculture, and public perception, revealing the foresight needed to build a business in uncharted territory.Chapters00:00 Derek Peterson's Unique Career Path03:02 Insights from Evoke Ag Conference05:46 Transition from Finance to Cannabis11:59 Challenges of Going Public in Cannabis18:08 Exploring Methane Reduction in Agriculture24:08 Consumer Acceptance and Product Development30:00 Future Careers in Agriculture Links & Resources:ROAM – Derek’s companyConnect with Derek Peterson on LinkedInMore episodes at Humans of Agriculture

When I got a chance to head to evokeAg this year, I heard Jocie Bate speaking and thought to myself, we need to get her on the podcast!  I came across an extraordinary character whose ideas may just revolutionise the future of agriculture. "It's amazing how quickly the sector is evolving," says Jocie Bate on her mission to fully automate the paddock with robotics.Jocie Bate and her husband, Andrew, founded SwarmFarm Robotics, a pioneering agtech business transforming how we think about farming systems. From growing up on her families grazing property in rural Queensland to co-founding one of Australia's leading ag robotics startups, Jocie shares her journey through finance, family farming, and the bold leap into agricultural innovation. The conversation explores the dynamic of family partnerships, women in agriculture, bootstrapping a startup, and what the future of farming could look like. Chapter00:00 Exploring Modern Agriculture03:07 The Journey of Swarm Farm05:47 Building Strong Partnerships in Agriculture09:09 Innovations in Farming Technology12:08 The Evolution of Swarm Farm14:50 Navigating Funding and Growth18:06 The Future of Agriculture and Robotics20:47 Lessons Learned and Personal Growth23:55 The Role of Technology in Agriculture26:45 Engaging the Next Generation in Ag TechConnect with SwarmFarm:Website: swarmfarm.comInstagram: SwarmFarm IGYoutube: SwarmFarmFollow Humans of Agriculture on Instagram & LinkedInSubscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

“If we don’t get it right, the opportunity will be given to people post the farm gate. And it’ll happen to farmers again.”Hugh Killen's CV is incredibly impressive, he's spent decades working across the globe in finance and markets, before returning home to work in aussie agriculture.In this chat, we explore Hugh's time in finance, his time leading publicly listed iconic Australian Ag companies, and his mission today at the helm of Impact Ag Australia to help Aussie farmers seize the opportunity in natural capital and regenerative ag systems.  What we cover:00:00 From Farming Roots to Finance03:12 Navigating the Agricultural Landscape05:57 The Value Chain of Agriculture08:53 Resilience in Leadership11:52 Building a Supportive Team14:58 Impact Ag Australia: A New Venture17:48 Defining Regenerative Agriculture21:27 Understanding Soil Health in Regenerative Agriculture25:04 The Risks and Rewards of Soil Carbon Projects27:00 Navigating the Complexities of Carbon Markets30:00 The Future of Agriculture: Transitioning to Regenerative Practices39:00 The Role of Policy and Consumer Awareness in Agriculture40:49 The Importance of Farmer Empowerment and EducationLinks & Resources:Connect with Hugh Killen on LinkedInFollow Humans of Agriculture on InstagramIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected]. Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!

Tess Cook grew up on her families beef property in Queensland. When she was on stage at evokeAG, she mentioned the challenge and lack of understanding of different career pathways in Ag. Now this is so interesting because it’s being talked about a lot, but talking isn’t solving much - we want to know more to see what we can do! Tess recently moved to Matamata, New Zealand, to begin her career as a vet and we can’t wait to follow her career! 00:00 Tess Cook's Journey to Veterinary Medicine10:08 Challenges in Agricultural Career Pathways16:58 The Future of Agriculture and Workforce SolutionsResources & Contact:Learn more about the Horizon Scholarship and how it supports young people in agriculture.Stay updated with evokeAG and similar industry events.Follow Humans of Agriculture for more inspiring stories from the industry.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at [email protected]. Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review!

We’re sitting down with Lauren Roellgen this week. She wears a few different hats including aa an Associate Director at LAWD, a farmer-in-training on her family farm, and the Chair of the Future Farmers Network. She shares her family’s inspiring journey from Germany to Australia, how they built a successful cotton farming enterprise, and the modern challenges of succession planning, sustainability, and innovation in agriculture.In this episode, you will hear:- Lauren's family journey from Germany to Australia- The Evolution of Tyuna Farming- Her parents becoming Cotton Growers of the Year- Lauren's Career in Agribusiness & the Decision to Return Home- Succession Planning & The Future of Australian Cotton- The Future Farmers Network & Supporting Young People in Ag- Balancing Multiple Roles in AgricultureTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Lauren03:06 The Family Farm and Its Legacy05:51 Transitioning Back to Farming08:48 Career Path and Professional Experience11:52 The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture15:04 The Impact of Succession Planning18:12 Recognition and Achievements in Cotton Farming21:07 Sustainability and Innovation in Agriculture23:45 Future Farmers Network and Its Evolution27:03 Balancing Multiple Roles in Agriculture30:04 Advice for Future Generations in AgricultureThis episode is in paid partnership with Cotton Australia. Humans of Agriculture retains editorial control of the content. 📢 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend, leave a review, and let us know your thoughts at [email protected]! 

EvokeAg is one of the premier events for agrifood tech and innovation, and this year’s edition in Brisbane took things to a new level. In this episode, Oli catches up with Harriet Mellish, General Manager at AgriFutures Australia, to unpack what went into making EvokeAg 2025 a success, the evolving conversations in the agri-tech space, and how the event itself operates like a startup—iterating and improving each year.In this episode, you will hear about:- EvokeAg as a Startup - What Worked in 2025 - Emerging Themes & Industry Conversations - Engaging the Next Generation - What’s Next for EvokeAg?Chapters:00:00 Post-Event Reflections and Planning Ahead02:46 Feedback and Innovations from EvokeAg 202505:50 Engaging the Next Generation in Agriculture08:53 The Role of EvokeAG in the Agricultural Ecosystem12:05 Evolving Conversations in Agriculture15:04 Looking Ahead: Future Trends and InnovationsFollow Humans of Agriculture on Instagram & LinkedInSubscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

This episode is part of our partnership with Cotton Australia, we’re joined by  Liz Stott, a cotton grower and the Deputy Chair of Cotton Australia.She brings a plethora of insights into the industry's innovations, sustainability efforts, and leadership development programs that are defining the Australian Cotton industry. Then, I have a yarn with Jim Gall, CEO of RB Sellars, to discuss why the iconic Australian workwear brand is now incorporating Australian grown cotton into its garments and why this shift isn't just important for Australian growers, but a larger picture around a more sustainable future.This episode is in paid partnership with Cotton Australia. Humans of Agriculture retains editorial control of the content.In this episode, you will hear about:- The Evolution of Australian Cotton - Cotton to Market Initiative - Camp Cotton: Why luxury brands are choosing Aussie cotton. - RB Sellars & "Australian Made" - The Power of Storytelling in Agriculture Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Cotton Industry02:59 Liz Stott's Journey in Cotton Farming05:54 Innovations in Cotton Farming Practices09:02 The Cotton to Market Initiative12:05 Camp Cotton: Bridging Brands and Farmers15:06 Jim Gault's Perspective on Australian Cotton17:54 The Role of RB Sellers in Promoting Cotton21:06 Sustainability and Best Practices in Cotton Farming23:53 The Future of Australian Cotton in Workwear26:58 Storytelling in Agriculture and Brand RepresentationFollow Humans of Agriculture on Instagram & LinkedInSubscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

I first met Ed Currenti in the sheep yards at Mount Hesse, over more than 15 years we've stayed in touch and followed each others journeys closely.Ed is the General Manager at Prestige Foods, in our chat he shares his journey from a city upbringing to a successful career in agriculture and food production. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the role of education in understanding food sources, and the innovative practices at Prestige Foods. The conversation highlights the significance of building relationships within the industry, the challenges of managing teams, and the future opportunities in food production. Ed emphasizes the need for better connections between producers and consumers, and the importance of storytelling in the food industry.I've known Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ed Currenti and His Journey03:03 Early Influences and Passion for Food05:37 Education and Career Path Decisions08:54 The Role of Mentorship in Career Development11:40 Transitioning from University to the Workforce14:37 Experiences in Sales and Business Development17:45 Innovative Ideas and Career Opportunities20:54 Management Style and Learning from Experience25:31 Navigating Challenges During COVID-1926:46 Transforming Company Culture29:01 Understanding Prestige Food Australia30:20 The Rise of Bone Broth31:59 Collaboration with Chef James Viles34:06 Bridging the Gap in the Food Chain35:16 Vision for Growth in Food Manufacturing36:10 Creating Links Between Producers and Consumers38:48 Innovative R&D Strategies39:55 Promoting Career Pathways in Agriculture43:55 Educating the Next Generation on Food Sources