“If farmers don’t have a voice, they’ll be dealt a poorer hand.” That’s the simple mantra that motivates Rebecca Reardon to be involved in advocacy with NSW Farmers.

Rebecca is a mixed farmer from Moree in NSW, an agricultural economist, board director and Vice President of NSW Farmers.

Her path into agricultural leadership wasn’t linear. After 20 years working post–farm gate in the grains industry, including stepping into a CEO role during one of the most personally challenging periods of her life, she made the conscious decision to step back and prioritise family when one of her children became seriously ill

What followed were two phone calls that changed her trajectory; one inviting her onto an industry board, and another encouraging her to join the Grains Committee at NSW Farmers

That “gentle push” led her into policy, advocacy and leadership at a state and national level.

In this collaboration episode with NSW Farmers, Rebecca reflects candidly on:

• How family crisis reshaped her perspective on leadership and success
• Why advocacy isn’t just about what farmer groups win; but what they stop
• How NSW Farmers develops grassroots policy through branches, committees and annual conference
• The mounting pressures facing agriculture; from telecommunications and biosecurity to land tax, diesel rebates, insurance and renewables
• The widening city–country divide and the fight to maintain farming’s social licence
• Why we need more women and more young farmers stepping into advocacy roles

If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, but worried you didn’t know enough, weren’t qualified, or might upset someone… this episode is your nudge.

Learn more about NSW Farmers or become a member HERE

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What if the difference between a struggling farm and a thriving one isn’t the cows, the land or the milk price… but the systems?

When Jana Hocken and her husband returned to their 1,000-head dairy farm in New Zealand, they were facing two seasons of low milk prices, a $500,000 overdraft and long, exhausting workdays. Something had to change.

In this practical and eye-opening live recording from the Australian Dairy Conference, Jana shares how applying Lean management principles, developed by Toyota, transformed their business.

The results?

• 15% reduction in costs
• 72% increase in labour productivity over 10 years
• Major gains in production
• Overdraft eliminated — and cash surplus at season start

Same herd. Same genetics. Same infrastructure. Different management.

Instead of hoping milk price rises to improve profit, Jana explains why the real opportunity lies in controlling what you can; cost, systems, communication and culture. Jana has now founded The Lean Farm Project, to help others.

Hosted by Kirsten Diprose, this episode captures Jana’s keynote on how Lean tools; from weekly team meetings and visual management boards to root-cause problem solving and radical financial transparency, can dramatically reduce stress, lift productivity and build a farm that lasts generations.

This is the final collaboration episode with the Australian Dairy Conference. Go back and listen to earlier episodes, to hear more wisdom from the fabulous speakers and leaders involved in the event.

Produced by the Rural Podcasting Co… can we help YOU tell your own story?

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What happens when you don’t make time for your wellness?

For wellbeing researcher and speaker Carli Phillips, the answer was confronting: double pneumonia, a heart infection and total burnout in her late thirties... all while juggling two jobs, a masters degree, young children, farm life and caring responsibilities.

In this powerful live recording from the Australian Dairy Conference, Carli, the founder of the Corporate Wellbeing Hub, shares the lesson that changed her life:

If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.

Hosted by Kirsten Diprose, this episode captures Carli’s keynote address to more than 900 people, followed by a practical and heartfelt Q&A focused on rural workplaces, leadership and psychosocial safety.

This is a collaboration episode with the Australian Dairy Conference. Produced by the Rural Podcasting Co... can we help YOU tell your own story?

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