Profitable Farmer

Succession isn't just a plan on paper — it's a living, breathing conversation about legacy, leadership, and what we're really passing on. And when it's done well, it can strengthen not just the business, but the family behind it.  This episode is a testament to that. Rob and Ainsley McArthur aren't just managing a successful beef operation in central Queensland — they're guiding a generational transition with intention, structure, and a whole lot of heart. Alongside their six children, they've created a culture of contribution, where ownership and responsibility are shared from the ground up. In this conversation, I am joined by the McArthur's and their Platinum Mastermind coach Sam Pincott. Together we dive into the nuts and bolts of a family business that's thriving because it's been built on purpose and participation. Here's what we explore:  How Rob and Ainsley stepped into leadership early and chose to rewrite the script on what succession could look like  Why they treat their kids as stakeholders — inviting them into planning, strategy, and even financial oversight from a young age  The real impact of strategic rhythm — from quarterly meetings to goal-setting retreats — in building trust and vision across generations  What it means to balance the “family business” with the “business of family” — and why both need attention  How FOA frameworks and lifelong learning have helped them shape a business that's bigger than any one person  You'll hear how their children have stepped up to run operations and organise camp drafts, and how strategic grazing lifted their carrying capacity from 1,500 to over 5,000 — all while staying true to their family-first values.  But more than anything, you'll feel the deep pride and strength that comes from leading a family, not just a farm. To any family listening — whether you're navigating succession, shaping strategy, or simply wondering how to get your kids more involved — this episode is full of gentle guidance, real-world tools, and hope. Rob, Ainsley — thank you for showing us what's possible when you lead with vision and raise the next generation to do the same. Sincerely,  Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team    P.S. If this episode got you thinking about legacy, family alignment, or setting the next generation up well — and you know your finances could be more structured — the Cash Flow Optimiser course is a great first step. Designed for farming families, it offers practical tools to reduce stress, improve decision-making, and help you build a business that supports the future you're all working toward. Take the step as a family — because the best legacies are built together.  Right now, it's on sale for just $9 (save $188) — and you'll get the exact forecasting tools, templates, and budgeting systems used by top-performing farm businesses. You can apply them in just a few hours and start taking control of your numbers — fast. 

Now and then, you get the chance to pause, look back, and really take stock. And when that moment rolls around, it can be quietly powerful.    That's exactly what this episode is. A milestone. A moment. A celebration.    This year marks 10 years of Farm Owners Academy, and I wanted to sit down with two people who've been there from the start — FOA founder Greg Johnson and our CEO Sam Johnson — and reflect not just on where we've come from, but where we're going.    In this one, we unpack the heart behind FOA, the thinking that shaped the Top Producers Program, and the impact it's had on farming families across Australia and New Zealand.    But more than that, we talk about what truly sets top producers apart — and why, now more than ever, mindset, business acumen, and strategic focus are the critical tools for leading through uncertainty.    Because right now, volatility is the new normal.    Climate, markets, costs — they're all shifting. And that means farming families need a stronger compass and clearer tools than ever before.    In this episode, we explore:  How FOA began, the purpose behind its creation, and the real-world gaps it was built to fill  The 9-step Top Producers Model — and how it's helped thousands build more robust, profitable, and scalable farm businesses  How top producers use entrepreneurial thinking to stay ahead in uncertain times  The power of mindset — and how inner growth creates lasting, external transformation  Real-life examples of families who've doubled their scale, renegotiated better finance, and gained strategic clarity — all within months    So wherever you're at — whether you're in growth, in a rut, or somewhere in between — this episode is an invitation to step up, get clear, and take charge.    Our last Top Producers 2-Day Workshop for the year is happening June 23rd and 24th in Melbourne (or online if you can't be there in person). And I can tell you, it's two days that could completely change the trajectory of your business.    This is your chance to step out of the day-to-day and rebuild from the top down—with the same framework the top 20% of farmers are using to outperform, year after year.    We'll walk you through how to transform your thinking, optimise your business model, and propel your farm forward—with clarity, purpose, and a clear plan in hand.    But here's the truth: you've got to choose it.    Because the best businesses don't happen by chance—they're built by people who make time to grow, who lean in when it's hard, and who say yes when most would sit back.    Get off the tools. Step out of the chaos. And create space to lead with purpose. 

The markets are rattled. The headlines are loud. And for farmers trying to plan ahead, it's starting to feel a bit like trying to build a fence in shifting sand. That's exactly why, in this episode of Profitable Farmer, I've invited back our trusted investment specialist, Terry Tran from Freedom Trader - because when the world gets noisy, Terry brings sharp thinking and clear-eyed strategy.   At present, we're diving deep into one of the biggest economic curveballs we've seen in years — the Trump-imposed US tariffs. This conversation is as timely as it is important. We explore: What this means for Australia & NZ, for agriculture, and for the way we make decisions in uncertain times What these tariffs actually are, and how they were calculated The ripple effects on global trade, inflation, interest rates — and yes, our ag exports. Where the risks lie… and where the opportunities might just be hiding in plain sight. Smart, proactive strategies to help you safeguard your business and potentially thrive on the other side of this storm. Terry doesn't sugarcoat it — and that's what makes this episode so valuable. He brings the data, the insight, and most of all, a calm, measured voice in the middle of all the noise.  Whether you're feeling rattled, curious, or fired up to adapt and invest wisely, this one's worth your time. Because when everyone else is panicking, the best in the game are positioning. If you're wondering how to navigate the months ahead and where to look for your next smart move — tune in. And a reminder that Terry is running an exclusive Freedom Trader Webinar for our community. It's designed to help you get ahead of the headlines and build real financial resilience for your future.

Let's be honest - running a farm can feel like a never-ending list of things to do. The sun comes up, and we're off… chasing the day, solving problems, making it all happen. But here's the question we're leaning into on this episode: What if the biggest breakthrough for your business isn't out there in the paddock… but in here, inside you?  At Farm Owners Academy, we've learned time and again that real transformation - the kind that sticks - starts with mindset. When farmers turn the focus inward and start doing the inner work, everything shifts. And this episode of Profitable Farmer is a powerful reflection of just that.  We're unpacking the theme: “Work harder on yourself than you do on your business.” It's a simple idea, but it cuts deep. And it's at the very heart of what made our recent Tune In, Deep Dive event so special. Over 500 farmers joined us to dive into the mindset, wellbeing, and emotional intelligence tools that don't just improve your business - they change your life.  I'm joined by two people I respect deeply - Tracy Secombe, our Head of Wellbeing, and David Westbrook (Westy), one of our most loved coaches and a farmer through and through. Together, we get real about:  Why mindset matters - and how looking inward can unlock better relationships, stronger leadership, and a more fulfilling life.  Breaking old habits - especially the tough-it-out, stoic mentality so many of us were raised with.  Simple, practical tools that build self-awareness and keep you grounded, even on the hardest days.  Real stories of transformation - Westy shares his own journey - raw, honest, and incredibly powerful - from living on autopilot to becoming intentional and aligned in life and business.  If you're ready to lead with clarity, step into your potential, and show up as your best self - on the farm, at home, and in life - this episode is for you.  Tracy and Westy, thank you for sharing your wisdom and experiences. To everyone listening - my hope is that something in this conversation stays with you, nudges you forward, and reminds you just how powerful you really are.  Keep winning everyone!    Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team 

As we reset for 2025, many are feeling the weight of a brutal 2024. And to be completely honest — when you're staring down a decile one year, it's hard to know where to start.     How do you budget with confidence? How do you front up to your bank when the season doesn't go your way?    So here is the truth: waiting it out isn't a strategy. Hope isn't a business plan. And if you want to lead your business forward, now is the time to level up how you turn up.    In this episode, I am joined again by Jeff McDonald, Founder & Director of RLS Agribusiness.     Born and bred on an irrigation property in Loxton, SA, Jeff stepped off the farm and into finance, spending 20 years inside a major bank before founding Riverland Lending Services.     Today, Jeff leads one of the largest Agri-finance brokerages in the country. His team settles over $200 million in Agri finance each year, and through RLS Agribusiness, he advises farm businesses on everything from strategy and succession to governance and growth.    Jeff has worked with hundreds of producers, and his insight is gold because it's built on experience and not theory. He knows what banks are really looking for and how the best operators are preparing — strategically, financially, and emotionally — for what's next.    This episode is not about hype. It's about truth. It's about acumen. And it's about how we all step forward, more commercially aware, more proactive, and more in control.    So, here's your call to action:    If you've been flying under the radar... waiting to see how it all plays out... hoping the bank gives you another run  - I hope this episode provides insight into how to take a hard look at your business, forecast with clarity and lead with courage.    Sincerely,   Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team    P.S. Ready to take your leadership, financial clarity, and business strategy to the next level? Join us at the next TOP Producers event – live at the Melbourne Convention Centre or virtually on June 23 & 24. With early bird tickets on sale now and the last three events completely sold out, get in quick – secure your spot today and get ready to shift gears in your business.

Where have you learned leadership?  On the farm? In a day job? Inherited perhaps?  For most, NONE have learned the vital art and science of leadership.  It is a learned skill. One we can all commit to and master.   One we all need to be successful in life and business, and in succeeding in the pursuit of a family farm that can transcend generations…  It is a privilege to introduce Paul Ainsworth, Managing Partner of Lincoln Institute to you in this episode - one that speaks deeply to the heart of leadership, resilience, and the power of community.  Over 15 years, and after a decorated career in the Australian Army, Paul has helped shape leaders in the veterinary and agricultural industries. A graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Royal Military College Duntroon, Paul served as an Infantry Officer with international deployments across five foreign countries, culminating in a role as a military observer in the Middle East.   His leadership journey continued beyond the Army, first as the inaugural Director of ALDI Foods in Australia and then, as CEO and Board Chairman of Australia's fastest-growing company in the energy sector.   Now, as the Founding Principal of the Lincoln Institute, Paul is dedicated to equipping veterinary and agricultural professionals with the leadership, management, and communication skills they need to thrive.   Leadership is more than just making decisions. It's about connection. It's about knowing when to step forward and when to step back. It's about building a team that isn't just technically strong but also aligned, empowered, and accountable.  Here Are Some of The Key Leadership Lessons from This Episode:  How self-aware are you as a leader? How you think you come across isn't always how you do. Where might there be a gap between your intent and your impact?    Who's in your corner? Isolation is the enemy—whether you're a vet, a farmer, or a business owner. Who do you lean on? How are you building a strong support network?    Are you pushing yourself and your team to grow? Real learning happens outside the comfort zone. Where are you playing it too safe?    Are you empowering or micromanaging? Move from telling to coaching. Teach the standard, then trust your people to own it.    Do your people know what's expected—before there's a problem? The best way to avoid hard conversations is to set clear expectations from the start.     Are you creating clarity or confusion? Strong teams don't need coddling—they need to know where they stand, what success looks like, and how to get there.  We are delighted that our FOA Platinum Mastermind & Alumni Members have access to the Lincoln Institute Emerging Leaders Programs. For more information about FOA's programs and our connection with Lincoln, book a Complimentary Coaching Call here.  Paul and his team at Lincoln Institute have been working alongside farm owners, veterinarians, and business leaders for years—helping them not just lead, but lead well.   This is a conversation about what really makes a difference in leadership—the moments that test us, the decisions that define us.  A sincere thanks to Paul for joining us in this conversation. Your knowledge, wisdom and insights are so valuable and transferrable.     Sincerely,     Jeremy Hutchings and The Farm Owners Academy Team    

Running a farm comes with its fair share of challenges, and it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. But some of the biggest opportunities for growth come from stepping outside our own operations, connecting with others, and learning from those facing similar challenges. Stronger businesses, smarter decisions, and a more resilient industry all start with farmers coming together and sharing knowledge.    This episode is all about the power of grower groups - why they matter, the impact they have, and why getting involved can be a game-changer for your farm and business.    I'm joined by Pippa Jones, who, alongside her husband, runs a mixed farm near Goondiwindi, QLD. Beyond the farm, Pippa has played a key role in the Macintyre Ag Alliance, helping to drive innovation and support for local farmers. She also works as an extension officer with NSW Local Land Services and represents the Northern NSW Drought and Innovation Hub. On top of that, she's a 2024 Nuffield Scholar, exploring how carbon farming can be both a profitable opportunity for farmers and better supported on a global scale.    Together, in this episode, we explore:  The critical role of grower groups like Macintyre Ag Alliance and the impact they're having in southern Queensland and northern NSW.  Why getting involved in these networks goes far beyond just improving technical farming skills.  How simplifying your farm business model can give you the time and space to pursue off-farm interests, leadership roles, and industry impact.  Why we should all back ourselves as leaders, even if we don't see ourselves that way just yet.    At Farm Owners Academy, we're proud to be partnering with Macintyre Ag Alliance and other grower groups across Australia to help farmers connect, learn, and thrive.    If you haven't yet, I encourage you to seek out your local grower groups and engage with your regional drought and innovation hubs-they offer invaluable resources and networks that can help you navigate challenges and future-proof your farm business.    You can access more information about the items discussed in the episode below:    Macintyre Ag Alliance – click here https://www.macintyreagalliance.com/   Drought and Innovation Hubs – click here https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/drought/future-drought-fund/research-adoption-program/adoption-innovation-hubs   Nuffield Scholarships – click here https://www.nuffield.com.au/     Pippa, thank you for your time, your insights, and your leadership. I hope you all enjoy this conversation as much as I did.    Keep winning.    Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team 

If something happened to you tomorrow, would your farm keep running? Would your team know what to do? Would your business continue to operate, or does it all rely on you? It's one of those things we don't like to think about, but it's critical — not just for succession planning or long-term growth, but for building a farm business that's resilient and can operate without you. Today, I have the pleasure of sitting down with two of the best people to have this conversation with — Tim and Cheryl Freak. Tim and Cheryl have been with Farm Owners Academy from the very beginning. They've spent the last 10 years transforming their farm into a ‘Freedom Farm' but also, travelling the country in the Farm Owners Academy caravan, working alongside farmers to help them create farm businesses that thrive without total dependence on them. This is a powerful conversation because it challenges the traditional mindset in farming — the idea that working harder is the only way forward. Tim and Cheryl show us the alternative way. In this episode, we unpack: How they transitioned from a business that was completely reliant on them to one that now operates smoothly without them being hands-on every day.   Why they chose to bring in business partners — giving key team members skin in the game, rather than just employing a farm manager.   How they've structured their operation with clear roles, responsibilities, and systems that ensure everything runs efficiently — whether they're there or not.   The impact of their farm visits with FOA members — where they ask the tough questions and help these incredible people work through challenges that they often don't talk about anywhere else. We also talk about Freedom Farming — what it really means and why it's different for everyone. For Tim and Cheryl, their definition of freedom farming means they now have the flexibility to travel, spend quality time with family, and step into roles where they're mentoring and coaching other farmers. There's so much wisdom in this conversation, and if you're feeling stuck — if you're working harder but not seeing the freedom, security, or lifestyle you want to achieve — then this episode will give you plenty to think about. Sincerely, Jeremy Hutchings and The Farm Owners Academy Team P.S. Inspired by Tim and Cheryl's journey to creating a Freedom Farm? Ready to take your farm business to the next level? Our Complimentary Coaching Calls are designed to give you the clarity, tools, and strategies you need to succeed. Book your spot here and start making real progress today.

Farming is a beautiful and rewarding way of life, but as we know, it comes with its fair share of risks—some that we prepare for and others that shake us to the core.     In this episode, we dive into an extraordinary story of resilience, resourcefulness, and reinvention as we sit down with Matt and Hayley Watson, first-generation farmers who built a thriving free-range egg business, faced devastating adversity, and emerged stronger on the other side.    Matt and Hayley share their incredible journey—from building their egg operation to 9,000 birds, navigating one of the worst droughts in Australian history, and tackling the challenges of growth, to the devastating biosecurity crisis that forced them to start over.     Through all the setbacks, their determination, values, and ability to ask “unreasonable questions” of good people helped them rebuild their business in under 12 months and turn it into a more efficient, scalable operation; an outstanding result and credit to them both.     This conversation is packed with hard-earned lessons on managing adversity, knowing your numbers, and building a team and a business that can weather even the toughest storms. It's also a reminder of the power of community, integrity, and daring to dream big, even when the odds are against you.    Stick around as Sam Johnson, CEO of Farm Owners Academy, leads this inspiring conversation with Matt, Haley, and their coach, Alison Hamilton. Whether you're navigating challenges in your own farming business or simply looking for a fresh dose of inspiration, this episode is for you.    Sincerely,     Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team    P.S. To check out Watson Family Produce, click here. Or, if you are interested in egg production for Watson Family Produce click here.    P.P.S. Ready to take your farm business to the next level? Our Complimentary Coaching Calls are designed to give you the clarity, tools, and strategies you need to succeed. Book your spot here and start making real progress today.  

Today, we're diving into a cracker of a conversation with three of our incredible FOA business coaches—Rick Morris, Marina Gregor, and Jack Owen. They not only run their own successful farming enterprises but also help guide others in our FOA community to achieve remarkable results.    In this episode, we reflect on the wins, challenges, and insights that shaped 2024. You'll hear how these coaches, through bold decisions and a deep understanding of their numbers, transformed their farms by simplifying operations and finding focus. They share firsthand how these changes have driven profitability and reduced overwhelm—an approach that's reshaping the mindset around diversification in farming.    Before we get into it, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Jack, Marina, and Rick for joining me in this episode. Your dedication, commitment, and input to this community are deeply valued. The way you lead by example and share your stories with such authenticity is inspiring. It's people like you who make this community what it is, and I couldn't be more grateful to have you as part of the Farm Owners Academy team.    It's not just about numbers though. This conversation also highlights the role of mindset, strategic planning, and community in navigating tough seasons and setting the stage for success. Whether it's embracing the three Rs—rest, reflect, reset, or having those all-important planning days off-farm, I hope you'll leave inspired to tackle 2025 with purpose and clarity.    If you want to set yourself up for success in 2025, The Ultimate 2025 Planning Guide is packed with tools to help you map out your best year yet. Don't wait – get your hands on it today. You can download it here.   Thank you Jack, Marina and Rick for joining me in this episode.     I hope this conversation brings you value and wish you all the best for the year ahead.     Sincerely,    Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team     P.S. Don't miss out! The early bird sale for the Top Producers Program ends on the 20th of January 2025 (This Monday!). If you've been thinking about joining us to take your farm business to the next level and connect with like-minded producers, now's the time. Secure your tickets today before the sale closes – we'd love to see you there! Secure your spot here.

As we near the end of another whirlwind year, it's a chance to reflect, reset, and recharge. The festive season brings its own flurry of busyness, but before we all step into some well-deserved downtime, I wanted to bring you a conversation packed with insight and inspiration to help you wrap up 2024 with purpose and head into 2025 with clarity.    In this episode, I'm joined by Farm Owners Academy's CEO, Sam Johnson. Together, we dive deep into the year that was — exploring the highlights, hurdles, and lessons learned across our farming community.     We unpack practical ways to stress-test your business model, navigate challenges like rising interest rates and tough seasons, and build resilience into your farm and family operations. We also delve into the important interplay between scale, gearing, and business model and how to assess your farm's performance against several critical measures.    Sam shares a special reflection on his personal journey this year, showing how resilience isn't just a business strategy but a life skill, too.    We also celebrate the incredible work of the FOA team — our analytics professionals, coaching leaders, and operational champions — who have supported farming families across the country to benchmark, plan, and grow stronger farming businesses. Thank you, team, we are so grateful for the dedication and ‘above and beyond' support you consistently provide to our members and community.    Whether you're looking to refine your vision, strengthen your business, or just find fresh motivation for the year ahead, I hope this episode will help in some way or another.     So grab a cuppa, or keep the tractor running, and join us for a conversation that could set the tone for your best year yet.    Thank you for tracking with us this year. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and festive season.     Hutch and the Farm Owners Academy team.     P.S. If you know someone who would make an excellent guest for the Profitable Farmer Podcast, you can nominate them by providing their name, contact details and an outline as to why you feel they'd be a cracking guest by emailing us at support@farmownersacademy.com Resources mentioned in the episode:     Complimentary Coaching Call: If you would like to find out more about our Platinum Mastermind – business coaching and mastermind program – and whether this is a good fit for you and your business, you can book your one-on-one coaching call with a member of our business coaching team here. Book your call today.     Cash Flow Optimiser: This short course is designed to help make your financial planning more straightforward and effective. Discover how to turn your farm into a highly profitable business by choosing the right model, leveraging the Profit First Farm Business Model Analyser Tool, and mastering accurate forecasting. Uncover the seven steps to effective business model forecasting (BMF), the difference between budgeting and forecasting, and equip yourself with strategies to benchmark, stress test, and project cash flow with precision. Plus, gain invaluable insights from bonus training and real-world case studies that show what it takes to thrive, even in tough seasons. Check it out here.    TOP Producers Program: If you are ready to elevate your farming operation to unprecedented levels of productivity and profitability, the TOP Producers 2-day workshop is designed specifically for forward-thinking Australian farmers like you, who are motivated to scale up, earn more money, and run a better farm business. Discover innovative ideas, practical strategies, and the latest insights, all tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of Australian agriculture. We have two events in 2025, attend virtually or in person – dates and locations here.    Ultimate 2025 Planning Guide: this FREE planning guide is here to help you refocus, set meaningful goals, and build a clear plan for a more profitable, sustainable farm business. Reflect on 2024, follow along with templates and tools to help you set up for an incredible 2024 and ensure you start the new year with clarity, purpose and control! Download your free guide here.

Today's conversation is one of those deep dives into leadership, resilience, and navigating the complexities of life—whether that's on the farm, in the boardroom, or out on the footy field.    Joining me is Cameron Schwab, a man who, at just 24, stepped into the CEO role of an elite AFL club, and over the years has learned not only what leadership demands of us but how it shapes us.    Cameron is the real deal—a thinker, a mentor, and someone who's walked the path of success, failure, and reinvention. Now founder and CEO of designCEO, Cameron leverages his extensive leadership experience in professional sport and business to mentor and support CEOs, senior and emerging leaders, and their organisations across various industry sectors. You can find more information about Cameron and his offerings on his website here.    In this episode, we unpack what it takes to show up as a leader when the pressure's on, how to navigate those “what am I doing here?” moments, and why the quiet, reflective times when no one's watching might just be the most important moments of all.    Cameron's insights, from his experiences in elite sports to his work now coaching leaders across business and community, are so relatable and deeply impactful.   We explore what it means to create the right conditions for people to thrive, how to reframe your story when it's holding you back, and why leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about showing up with courage, humility, and a deep sense of purpose.    I hope you enjoy as we dive into this thoughtful and inspiring conversation.    Cameron, thank you for sharing your wisdom, heart, and valuable practical tools that we can all takeaway.     Sincerely,   Hutch     P.S    

Often, the journey of personal development can be misunderstood or even dismissed- many might view it as unnecessary or even indulgent. As we explore in this episode, it is not about ‘fixing' yourself or chasing perfection… it's about choosing who you want to become, letting go of old stories, and moving towards a more authentic, abundant version of yourself.     In this episode, I am delighted to once again speak with Tracy Secombe, our Director of Wellbeing at Farm Owners Academy, and someone who helps our community open-up to and embrace conversations about personal development and mindset.     In challenging times and an ever-changing world, for mine, this shift is more important than ever.    Tracy and I explore how to reframe challenges, embrace emotions without judgment, and navigate the highs and lows of personal growth.    Tracy shared a perspective that I'd describe as seeing life through a glass-half-full lens: “There's plenty more where that came from.” It's a simple yet powerful phrase, and when you really reflect on it, it represents a mindset shift—from focusing on scarcity and limitations to embracing abundance and possibility.    We unpack how to manage emotional triggers, find clarity during tough times, and step into a mindset of growth and abundance—even when the world feels heavy. Tracy's take on shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance is not just inspiring; it's transformative.    I hope this conversation will leave you with fresh perspectives and valuable tools to take into your own life and business.     So grab a cuppa, take a moment for yourself, and settle in for a heartfelt conversation that's sure to challenge and inspire.     Let's dive in.    Hutch and the FOA Team 

I have heard it said that “doing a traditional thing in a traditional industry may no longer be relevant.”   I have also heard it said that the point of entrepreneurship is to “create a legacy”…. that is to create something that makes an impact of significance in the market, that will last beyond your life-time.   Certainly there are great examples of individuals and teams out there daring enough to be highly entrepreneurial, deeply strategic and very innovative in finding ways to ‘get it done'.   For mine, Liam Leneghan and his GO.Farm Story presents an outstanding example of this, in modern day Australian Agriculture.   Just over 10 years ago, GO.Farm Australia was simply an idea in the mind of a very credible and progressive Australian Agriculturalist.   Today, GO.FARM's vision for transforming Australian agriculture has driven the development and management of $1.2B worth of agricultural assets, including 96,000ha of farmland producing high-value crops such as almonds, mandarins, tomatoes, winegrapes, grains, pulses and oilseeds.   With a strong focus on innovation through a Responsible Agriculture lens, GO.FARM's investment strategies deliver a positive impact for its environments and local communities, while generating significant wealth for its investors.   From an idea, combined with a deep determination to transform Australian farmland… GO.Farm is now a growing team of over 250 people, committed to this vision.   It is a truly compelling story, that I feel we can all learn from. Through this I am reminded of the benefits of being unconventional; that leadership starts with making informed and risk-aware predictions about the future; that business ownership is about being courageous and dertermined; of the power of having conviction; of learning from mistakes and ‘going again'; of the value in making unreasonable request of people with influence; of the importance of a commitment to our own learning and growth; and the importance of surrounding yourself in high-calibre people on this journey we all play in business.   Some individuals are simply truly pioneering and daring to make an impact.   Liam, I commend you on your courage, deep conviction and your modern-day pioneering. I hope our conversation pays some tribute to your impressive career, and the successes of GO.Farm and your team.   Congratulations mate.   Hutch & the FOA Team

In this episode, I speak with Tim McGavin, Founder and Managing Director of Laguna Bay, one of the largest privately owned agricultural investment funds globally.    Reflecting on his farming background and extensive career, we explore life growing up on a station west of Barcaldine, QLD alongside his ‘bushy' father and family. We explore Tim's early years through school, his journey into agriculture and the intriguing and unique pathway he has taken to achieve significant success within our industry.    Our conversation touches on the pivotal role of Marcus Oldham in shaping the next generation of Australian agricultural leaders. We explore its innovative approach to education, its extensive Alumni network and its influential impact on the industry.    Importantly, we speak of Marcus Minds, a new initiative developed to help farm owners learn the key principles of high performance. This collaboration between Laguna Bay and Marcus Oldham draws upon the expertise of leading specialists and focuses on helping people overcome personal challenges, pursuing mindset mastery, pathways for self-development, a higher quality of life and building resilience.    Much like the personal development and entrepreneurial principles taught at Farm Owners Academy, Marcus Minds is bringing an important new way of thinking and leading into our industry.     Tim and I both acknowledge that farming can be a lonely and challenging environment in which to live and operate. Yet, we agree that to achieve the highest level, we must first master the mind.    To quote Tim, “I've learnt that if you get the inside right, the outside falls into place.”    Marcus Minds is a free resource available to all, and I recommend checking it out.    Congratulations Tim, on your pioneering of this project and congratulations on a fascinating career. Thank you for sharing your story and insights for success in this conversation so openly.     And thank you for helping us highlight the great work of both Marcus Minds and Marcus Oldham Agricultural College in supporting excellence in Australian agriculture.    And what a story it is.    Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team  

As always, it is great to speak with Terry Tran and get an update on what is happening across our economy and the global investment landscape. In this episode, and 6 months after our last update from Terry, we cover all things interest rates, inflation, commodities outlooks, exchange rates and economies. We get Terry's valued insight across the USA, China, Russia/Ukraine and other global developments, and how these might impact equity investment decisions in the near and long term. We are excited to bring another exclusive Freedom Trader investment webinar to the Farm Owners Academy community at 7:20 pm (AEDT) on Tuesday, 5th November, details are here. If you are interested in exploring world-class coaching on how to invest successfully in the global market, then we recommend this webinar and Terry's Freedom Trader program, details here. Thank you, Terry. Congratulations on the work you do supporting so many families to pursue and achieve financial freedom. I look forward to a beer on your new veranda and to enjoying the view across Sydney's incredible cityscape very soon! Sincerely, Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team P.S. If you're also looking to tackle stress and improve your well-being, our FREE 2024 Edition of The Low-Stress Farmer's Handbook is now available. Discover essential strategies for reducing stress, avoiding burnout, and building resilience. It's packed with practical advice tailored to farmers' unique challenges. Click here to get your copy now: Download the Handbook.

We all have a role to play in inspiring our next generation of farmers – now there is a compelling program and pathway to make this happen. In this episode, Hutch speaks with Chloe Smart, Training and Career Development Coordinator at AgCareerStarts. As Chloe explains, AgCareerStarts provides on-farm employment opportunities for 17 to 24 year olds interested in pursuing a career in agriculture. Backed by the National Farmers Federation (NFF), the initiative provides the link between a recent school leaver or ag college/university graduate with a professional farm business owner, keen to nominate themselves as an AgCareerStarts Host Farmer. In addition, we speak with Host Farmer Simon Cameron, a fine wool merino producer from the Northern Midlands of Tasmania. Simon's farm, ‘Kingston' comprises 3125 ha of which about 12% is developed with introduced grasses. The rest is split between lightly timbered bush country and native grasslands. Their wool production is accredited under SustainaWOOL Gold and the Responsible Wool Standard, making Simon a great example of the on-farm opportunities we can create for young people wanting to forge a career in our industry. Post university, Chloe travelled across Northern SA and Western NSW as a contract musterer and senior station hand on a 280,000-acre Merino Sheep property in Hay, NSW. She understands on-farm roles and the challenges associated with farm life, as well as how difficult it can be for young people to shape their early careers in our industry. This is an important and highly professional initiative I am only too happy to advocate for. I commend Chloe and her team and NFF for pioneering this initiative, and congratulate the many host farmers already active in helping our next generation to positively enter our industry. For more information, click here. The deadline for applying to secure an AgCareerStarts Team Member for 2025 is Friday 4th October 2024. I am sure Chloe and her team will be only too happy to speak with you and answer any questions you have. Thank you, Simon, for sharing your experience, and congratulations to Chloe and your team on the great work that you do!! Here's to the next generation! Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team P.S. If you're also looking to tackle stress and improve your well-being, our FREE 2024 Edition of The Low-Stress Farmer's Handbook is now available. Discover essential strategies for reducing stress, avoiding burnout, and building resilience. It's packed with practical advice tailored to farmers' unique challenges. Click here to get your copy now: Download the Handbook.

‘Farm Systems' or ‘Grower Groups' play a pivotal part in our farming landscape.    Of these, Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) is the pinnacle.    Providing large-scale, in-season crop & pasture production trials, the latest research intelligence and important production improvement training to progressive farmers across Victoria's Wimmera & Mallee for over 30 years, BCG is one of our nation's major contributors to in-paddock production advancement.    Perhaps equally important is the community assembled, the farm management support provided, the collaboration now possible, and the knowledge-sharing and the boundary-pushing outcomes achieved for bringing many hundreds of passionate, forward-thinking farm owners together.    In this episode, I speak with Harm van Rees, a legend and gentleman of our industry, who has been part of the BCG story since its inception.    With BCG Founders Ian McLelland and John Ferrier, and as an independent agronomist for over 30 years, Harm has pioneered countless research and extension projects that help farming families push the boundaries of production. He has consulted directly to many hundreds of farming families over his career, and travelled the world on behalf of GRDC, CSIRO and other research institutes always with a dedication to pushing production boundaries.    Farm Owners Academy is proud to be partnering with leading Grower Groups across Australia, and bringing our business education and coaching capability to their communities. If you are part of a leading Grower or Farming Systems Group in Australia or New Zealand, please reach out to us here to explore opportunities to collaborate.    I hope this discussion with Harm van Rees does both his important career and the BCG story justice.    To CEO Fiona Best and the entire BCG team, and on behalf of our industry (if I may be so bold), I want to say thank you, well done and congratulations on your passion, dedication and support to Australian Farming Families.    Thank you Harm, wonderful to connect, and here's to a positive finish to this production season!    Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team    P.S. If you're looking to tackle stress and improve your well-being, we have just released our FREE 2024 Edition of The Low-Stress Farmer's Handbook. Discover essential strategies for reducing stress, avoiding burnout, and building resilience. It's packed with practical advice tailored to farmers' unique challenges . Click here to get your copy now: Download the Handbook. 

It's incredible seeing the results members of our Platinum Mastermind are achieving, their commitment to the program and the progression of their business and personal development.   FOA Alumni Members David (Diesel) & Rhianna Low, make a great example of this.   Commencing the program in July 2017, Diesel & Rhianne have become valued members and real contributors to our growing community. Starting as a mixed farm struggling for profitability, the operation was completely dependent on them, with Diesel typically working 80 hours per week. It is fair to say that they have completely transformed their business and lives.   Benchmarking and the support of our Analytics Team helped them decide to focus on ONE enterprise to achieve more focus and scale.   Forecasting and Decision Support Tools have allowed them to set down a financial roadmap that provides them more confidence in the resilience and performance of their business model for years to come.   Their 2 Page Strategic Plan helps them remain aligned and focused together as they prioritise business improvement through structured annual and quarterly meetings.   Having a Business Coach dedicated to their success has helped them navigate some challenging business and personal times, and consistently held them accountable for the implementation of their plan and toward their compelling goals.   FOA's Personal Development Training has helped them together move from a mindset of blame, lack and hardship to one of positivity, abundance and gratitude.   The Business Development Training has supported them to set down structures, systems and professional disciplines that drive on-farm efficiency, and support an on-farm team that helps them get it done and enjoy more balance, fun and freedom in their lives.   Last, but certainly not least, the friendships and the community they are now part of is a highlight of their 7-year journey with FOA.   The FOA Team are delighted to welcome Rhianne Low into our Team as an Accountability Coach. We also highly value Diesel's contribution as a mentor to others in the program. Diesel & Rhianne, thank you for your positivity and for being such dedicated members of the FOA Alumni & Community. And thank you for sharing your story and FOA journey with us.   Simply, incredible.   Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team  

In this episode, I am delighted to introduce to you Zoe Lamont, owner of Farm Door Riverina, a growing regional food business providing ready-made, wholesome meals to busy families, retirees and the elderly across Australia. Growing up on a farm near Junee, Zoe has deep ties to the land and a vision for bringing high-quality, wholesome, locally sourced food to families across Australia. Zoe shares her journey from farm life to buying and then building a highly successful business, with her husband Frank, that not only supports local producers but also brings the best of what we grow directly to people's tables. We explore: • The origins of Farm Door Riverina • Frank & Zoe's mission to bridge the gap between farm and table • The challenges and triumphs of scaling a food business • The importance of innovating and adapting your business models in order to grow • How Farm Door is providing wholesome food solutions to busy urban families, retirees and the elderly alike. A team now of over 30 providing over 3,000 meals per day, Zoe & Frank's story is a powerful reminder of how good quality food can change lives and bring happiness and wellness to households across Australia.  It is also a reminder to us all to stay true to our values, even when the chips are down, and put integrity and a commitment to quality at the forefront of everything we do. If you are looking to provide farm produce more directly to the consumer or explore new ways to diversify your farm's income, this episode will leave you inspired to think bigger about the impact you can have. More information about Frank, Zoe and the Farm Door story can be found here: https://farmdoor.com.au/pages/our-story Thank you, Frank, Zoe and your team for all you do. I appreciate you sharing your story. Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team

In complement to our last two episodes that focus on on-farm culture and team, in this episode, I explore a question we receive often:             When is the right time and how do we best establish an Advisory Board?   There is an important set of business practices and disciplines that need to be in place and effective prior to establishing a Board. It is important that as business owners we retain ownership and full responsibility for key elements of our businesses' strategic plan, performance analysis, budgets and operational plans. It is important we have reasonable expectations of Board Members and do not expect them to do the ‘hard work' on these important elements of business leadership for us. It is also important to be very careful who we invite onto our Board, and what we should reasonably expect from them.   Let's be real for a moment, farm business ownership is a very complex assignment. We are exposed to the vagaries of the season and the markets. We run complex businesses in isolated settings with our families.   To be in the top 20% of our industry – like the elite athletes we see achieving so much presently at the Olympics – it is important that we have the right advisers around us and that we engage with them in a proactive and highly professional way. It is also important that we immerse ourselves with peers and in a community that is growth-oriented, open-minded and committed to excellence.   I feel privileged to be part of the Farm Owner Academy team and community, and I thank all of our Platinum Mastermind and Alumni Members for their contribution to our elite and high-performing community of farming families.   I hope this episode adequately answers these important questions, and challenges you to ensure you have the people you most need around you to support your success. Keep winning!   Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team

CULTURE - we all have one, whether we like it or not. Within our business, our family, even our community.   Leaving our culture unchecked can be a disaster. Accepting a sub optimal culture can be destroying... for you AND those around you.   At Farm Owners Academy, we believe deeply in creating high-performing teams and cultures, both in family AND business.   Once again giving you special insight into our Platinum Mastermind program, this episode is an excerpt from a previous 'Growth Call' webinar that I run monthly with our members.   In this particular coaching call, I call on my old mate and past business partner, Simon Harris to dive deep into the essential elements of building a thriving culture within your farm business. Si brings a wealth of experience and insights into creating an environment where your team can excel and your business can flourish.   Specifically, we explore:   What is company culture What are the 6 types of cultures How does your culture rate What we can do to improve the culture of the companies we lead, and The unique set of 'SOFT & FLUFFY RITUALS' that can be the key to the foundations of a great team and high-performance culture.   Throughout our conversation, we emphasise the impact that a positive culture can have on overall business performance. From increased employee engagement to improved operational efficiency, creating the right culture is a game-changer for any farm business. Si provides actionable tips and real-world examples that you can implement in your own operations to start seeing immediate benefits.   Whether you're struggling with team dynamics or looking to take your farm's culture to the next level, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice. Tune in to discover how you can create a thriving culture that drives success in your farming business.   Enjoy!   Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team

It is clear to me that so many of us are under-resourced.   As such, we dedicate 20-40 hours per week to low-value farm activity, often at the expense of CEO-level tasks. For me, this continued focus on low-value activity might save a wage, but it's costing you a FORTUNE. This episode is all about how to break free from that cycle and step into the role of a true business leader.   Giving you special insight into our Platinum Mastermind program, this episode is an excerpt from a previous 'Growth Call' webinar that I run monthly with our members.   During this call, I am joined by Farm Owners Academy CEO, Sam Johnson, and we have an open conversation with our members about:   Identifying where and why we are under-resourced. Shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of growth and abundance, which allows us to see the value in investing in our teams. Practical steps to justify the financial investment in new hires and the long-term benefits this brings. Strategies for recruiting effectively, even in a challenging job market and how to build a team that supports your vision. Creating a clear organisational structure that defines roles and responsibilities, ensuring everyone is aligned and working towards common goals.   Thank you, Andrew Driscoll, for sharing your experience in this area, and thank you all for your involvement in this important conversation. Andrew's journey from feeling overwhelmed to strategically resourcing his farm provides a real-world example of the transformation possible when we back ourselves and our vision.   To have a FREEDOM FARM, we need to build out our dream team. Let's back ourselves to each get on and get this done!   Keep winning.   Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team

Nuffield International's vision is to inspire people to make a difference in the world of agriculture.   It is fair to say this great organisation is truly achieving it's global vision- directly as a result of the many great leaders of Nuffield, like Jim Geltch, who have committed much of their careers to making this happen.   It was a privilege for me to speak this week with a fellow scholar and good friend of my father's, Jim Geltch about the Nuffield farming scholarship program and the significant impact this unique and very special organisation has had on our industry, both locally and globally. For more information on how to apply for a Nuffield Scholarship, click here   Jim started farming in 1971 in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area at Whitton growing rice, row cropping and ultimately into tomato production. This led him to later taking up a leadership position managing the Australian operations for New Zealand's tomato processing company, Cedenco.   As a long-serving guardian of the Nuffield farming scholarship program, Jim served as CEO Nuffield Australia 2005-2016, Nuffield International CEO 2008-2020, having completed a Nuffield Scholarship tour himself in 1986.   Over that time Nuffield expanded to be a truly international foundation and a greatly expanded global community of scholars.   Jim has since been awarded an Australian Order for Services to Agriculture, and the Rabobank Leadership Award recognising the fundamentally important role he had played developing upcoming leadership in the Australian and New Zealand food, fibre & agribusiness sector.   It is my hope, through this interview, that we advocate for the Nuffield farming scholarship program and that we honour the immense contribution that Jim has had made to this organisation and it's community of industry leaders.   Thank you Jim for a career advocating for the next generation of leaders in our industry, and for your immense contribution to Nuffield and to Australian Agriculture.   Sincerely,   Jeremy

Imagine losing your arms, legs, body and your entire outlook on life… at age 19.   Imagine being in the prime of your life, only to have it all taken away.   Imagine having to start over, come to terms with that hardship, yet find the determination to get on with life.   Imagine how hard it would be to ‘stand back up' and turn up to life again.   Then, imagine successfully re-creating yourself, finding the woman of your dreams and excelling in a 35-plus-year career as a successful farm business owner.   Imagine finding a way to farm, ski, drive, fly and so much more again!   Imagine complementing all of this with a 20-plus year career on the speaking and education circuit; dedicating your life to helping and inspiring men & women and children of all ages to face adversity, overcome their hardship and live their best lives.   Ladies & Gentlemen, meet Sam & Jenny Bailey.   For me, this conversation was a genuine privilege.I love the opportunity I have to share great Australian stories.   Sam & Jenny, you are truly wonderful, on so many levels. You are a great example of companionship, determination, courage and true grit.   We look forward to having you with us at our next FOA event, and to welcoming you into our community.   For anyone wanting to connect directly with Sam & Jenny, you can find them here.   For anyone wanting to read or share their book ‘Head Over Heels', you can access it here.   And for anyone wanting to help Sam on his mission to be the world's first quadriplegic helicopter pilot!! you can learn more and do that here.   Thank Sam & Jenny, for helping us all keep perspective and be appreciative in times of need.   Hutch & Farm Owners Academy Team   P.S. Would you like to take advantage of a 60-minute coaching session with one of our leading coaches at Farm Owners Academy?   We are currently offering 15 free sessions to our podcast listeners where you will be able to sit down, overcome obstacles and gain clarity in your farming business with guidance from an experienced coach. Click here to book your session before spots fill out.

In this episode, it was great to connect with the impressive Sam Johnsson, CEO of Farm Owners Academy. During our discussion we:   reflected on his 3 years with us, acknowledged the incredible Farm Owners Academy team and community, discussed the importance of the CEO role in any business, explored the power of focusing team members toward ‘their genius' within a clear and well-documented structure, and the value this can bring to growing teams, explored ‘The Gap and The Gain', and how this important concept can help us transform team cultures, enhance confidence in individuals, and underpin high-performing teams, and, revisited the value of strong cash flow modelling in farm business management to help stress-test your business model in the current climate. It is always good to connect with Sam on the Profitable Farmer Podcast. He has developed such valuable insights from his time leading Farm Owners Academy's growth by supporting members of our Platinum Mastermind and Alumni Community in their farm expansion decision-making. To access the Cashflow Optimiser Program, (currently on sale for just $9) click here. To access our Farm Financial Framework training, click here. To book your tickets to our upcoming TOP Producers 2-day Workshop (attend in person on the Sunshine Coast, or virtually) click here. A massive shout-out from Sam J & me to our incredible coaching, analytics and business support team. Your dedication and commitment to Farm Owners Academy's growth and this community is immense and greatly appreciated. Thank you sincerely, for all you do. Keep being incredible. Hutch & Farm Owners Academy Team P.S. Would you like to take advantage of a 60-minute coaching session with one of our leading coaches at Farm Owners Academy? We are currently offering 15 free sessions to our podcast listeners where you will be able to sit down, overcome obstacles and gain clarity in your farming business with guidance from an experienced coach. Click here to book your session before spots fill out.

For so many of us, so often our self-confidence and sense of self go up and down with the seasons. We feel good about ourselves when times are good, and we are intently hard on ourselves, and even think we are failing, when the season, the conditions or the markets go against us.   Before Christmas we saw a shock hit the sheep-meat market, impacting meat producers at that time significantly. In many areas of our country, we see farming families navigating extended flood events, and in others extended dries.   In this podcast I invite Tracy Secombe- Director Well-being & Coaching at FOA- to join me and explore this issue, and how- as a farm business owner- we can overcome it and rise above it.   Ladies & gentlemen, we are not our bank account balance. We are so much more than ‘just farmers' and ‘just farmers wives'. We are leaders of families and great businesses. We are citizens in communities and valued friends to so many. We are good, hard-working, dependable, capable humans doing very good work and making very real differences in so many ways.   As we explore in this important discussion, we have the opportunity to take ownership of OUR IDENTITY. We have the opportunity to change our personal story and realise that farming is what we do, it is NOT who we are.   In the episode, Tracy shares some tips on how to expand our identity, to include all the important roles we play; how to find a greater sense of balance between them; and how to also shift our sense of self to ‘who we are' rather than ‘what we do'.   Tracy also helps us understand how can best navigate those moments in life when our Identity needs to shift from an active farmer into retirement; from technical farmer to farm business owner; from ‘farmers wife' to ‘partner in a successful family business' and from career person to being a Mum & Dad for the first time…   Changing our story and embracing practices that support a strpgner sense- of self and a well-rounded IDENTITY is fundamental in the pursuit of growth and expansion in any area of life.   Elite athletes, musicians, artists and professionals all get coaching on this – Australian Rugby Captain Michael Hooper's interview with Ben Crowe on his podcast ‘Car Chats with Crowey' being a great example. Good enough for them, equally important for us.   Thank you Tracy for your time and for your insights on such an important topic at this time.   Thank you.   Hutch & Team  

I have said before that there is so much we can learn from business leaders and entrepreneurs outside of our industry.    In this episode, I interview Jim Gall, now CEO of RB Sellars.    There is no doubt that RB Sellars has been established as an iconic brand across our landscape. Jim reminds us that success in business doesn't happen overnight and that the strong position they have developed in the market has come from a leadership team with a clear focus. Focusing on a sustainable commitment to a consistent and high-quality product range with outstanding service has led the brand to where they are today.    Jim also reminds us of the importance of creating a culture of trust, creativity and innovation to inspire our teams to be actively in pursuit of continuous improvement.    He emphasises the importance of encouraging a culture of radical candour, where teams feel safe and empowered to speak their truth and contribute fully and openly at every opportunity.    Have you created a culture and focus like this in your business?    Besides Jim's current contribution at RB Sellars, his entrepreneurial backstory is just as impressive.    Raised on a family farm near Euroa in Victoria, Jim's enthusiasm to share his family's farming story led him to establish Redhanded Creative, a national marketing, communication & advertising agency for Australia's regional and agri-businesses. 12 years on, Redhanded Creative was acquired by global marketing agency, Clemenger. In the ensuing years, Jim established himself as a natural leader in the company, taking over the CEO role at Clemenger Australia & New Zealand.    On his journey through Australia's Corporate landscape, serving and growing many of the major agribusiness brands we now interact with, Jim has always retained his humility, authenticity and connection to his farming routes.    It was wonderful to connect with Jim again after so many years and to have the opportunity to share his insights into our industry, our people and all things leadership.    I feel the iconic RB Sellars business and brand are in good hands.    Thank you, Jim.    Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team    The Authentic Farming Entrepreneur: Insights from Jim Gall   Here are the show notes for the podcast episode:   This episode features insights from Jim Gall, an entrepreneur and CEO of the iconic rural brand RB Sellers, as well as Jeremy from Faithful's Creek Lamb and the new RB Sellers CEO Ben. Key topics discussed include:   - The importance of storytelling and authenticity in marketing for farming/rural businesses to connect with modern consumers - Jim's diverse career path from growing up on a farm to founding companies and leading RB Sellers, providing a unique perspective on business strategy - Challenges and opportunities for small-scale, paddock-to-plate farming operations like Faithful's Creek Lamb in building a distinctive brand story - RB Sellers' history and success driven by its founder's deep understanding of the farmer customer base and developing durable, affordable products like the iconic Burton work shirt - The value of strategic planning, a clear vision, and aligning the team at RB Sellers to continue growing - Fostering a culture of radical candor - providing direct, honest feedback to drive growth while maintaining trust and psychological safety - Jim's leadership approach focused on shared success, inclusivity, and addressing issues head-on to stay true to the core business - RB Sellers' future plans to increase accessibility through more regional stores and a stronger online presence to reach the next generation of customers         Key Lessons   The importance of storytelling and authenticity in marketing for a farming business, rather than just focusing on the product itself.   The value of diversifying enterprises and connecting with customers through genuine brand narratives, rather than relying on a single product or service.   The potential for small-scale, paddock-to-plate farming operations to contribute to the national and global economy, despite the challenges they face.   Chapters: 00:00:00 - From Farm to CEO: Jim Gall's Journey 00:02:54 - Farming Entrepreneurship: Diversifying and Telling Your Story 00:08:16 - Building an Iconic Australian Clothing Brand 00:13:41 - Aligning Team and Strategic Planning at RB Sellers 00:17:54 - Navigating Feedback and Conflict in Family Businesses 00:21:13 - Shared Success and Customer Focus: Turning Around Businesses 00:27:37 - Growing Our Online Presence for the Next Generation 00:31:45 - Transforming Rural Marketing: Respecting Farmers as Entrepreneurs 00:35:52 - Transitioning from Entrepreneur to Corporate Leader 00:42:16 - Sustainability and the Evolution of Australian Agriculture 00:44:43 - Optimism in Farming: A Sustainable Career Choice 00:49:05 - Embrace Innovation, Trust Instincts for Growth 00:56:04 - Embracing Short-Term Wins for Long-Term Success                     Summary:   Jim Gall, an old school friend and successful entrepreneur, shares his insights on running a farming business and the importance of storytelling and authenticity in marketing. Growing up on a farm, Jim learned the value of diversifying enterprises and the need to sell what you produce. He believes farmers are in a strong position to share the authentic stories behind their products, which is increasingly important for consumers today. Jim's diverse career, including founding and selling a creative agency and leading a major marketing firm, has given him a unique perspective on effective leadership and business strategy that he now brings to his role as CEO of the iconic rural brand RB Sellers. The speakers discuss the challenges and opportunities of running a small-scale, paddock-to-plate farming operation in regional Australia. The farmer, Jeremy, shares how his business, Faithful's Creek Lamb, sells prime lambs to local butchers and directly to consumers in Melbourne. He emphasizes the importance of having a distinctive brand story that resonates with customers. The new CEO of RB Sellers, Ben, highlights the potential of rural-based businesses to contribute to the national and global economy, and how the clothing brand aims to serve its customer base with quality, durable products that connect to the country. Both speakers provide valuable insights on building successful regional businesses. RB Sellers, an iconic Australian rural apparel brand, has built a strong foundation with 22 stores across the country, its own distribution center, and a thriving e-commerce business. The brand's success can be attributed to its founder, Richard Sellers Jones, who had a deep understanding of the Australian farmer customer base and developed products that fit their needs in terms of durability, style, and affordability. The Burton work shirt, named after an adventurous friend who passed away, has become an iconic product, with the company selling over 200,000 units annually. RB Sellers aligns its team through a strategic planning process involving the board of directors and the executive team, ensuring a clear vision and direction for the business to continue growing its customer base and product offerings. Jim and the speaker discuss the importance of culture and radical candor in business, particularly in the context of a large retail company like RB Sellers. The speaker emphasizes the value of direct, honest feedback, even if it can be challenging, as it fosters psychological safety and drives growth. They also explore how this approach can be applied in a family business or farming context, where conflict avoidance may be more common. The key is to focus on clarity and constructive feedback, rather than taking it personally, in order to facilitate open communication and continuous improvement. The speakers discuss the importance of radical candor - being direct and specific with feedback, while maintaining trust and focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses. Jim, an experienced CEO, emphasizes the value of shared success and building a team culture where people feel they are growing together. He describes his leadership approach as direct, purposeful, and inclusive, aiming to align people around the company's core vision and values. The key is establishing trust and having the courage to address issues head-on, rather than ignoring problems that don't make sense for the business. Tomer, the speaker, emphasizes the importance of staying focused on the core customer and business model. He advocates a back-to-basics approach, ensuring the product meets customer demands, the pricing is right, and the company doesn't stray into unfamiliar territory. Jim, the other speaker, is excited about RB Sellers' future, with plans to grow the brand's accessibility through more physical stores in regional areas and by strengthening their online presence. They also aim to connect with the next generation of customers through initiatives like sponsoring events and partnering with a dating app for young farmers. Jane and Jim discuss the success and growth of RB Sellers, a dependable brand that has occasionally taken risks and made mistakes, but remained focused on continuous improvement and expansion. Jim then reflects on his earlier entrepreneurial venture, Red Handed Creative, which he co-founded to provide respectful and positive communication for rural Australian businesses. Despite the challenges of running a creative agency, Jim is proud of building a successful business over 12 years before ultimately selling it, as that was always part of the plan. Jim and his creative partner Paul built a successful business, Red Handed, that was acquired by Clemenger BBDO in 2012. The business helped clients, including large companies and government agencies, drive behavioral change and effectively market their products, whether it was fertilizers, chemicals, or tractors. Transitioning from being an entrepreneur running his own company to becoming part of a larger organization was a significant adjustment for Jim, as he had to adapt to a more structured and corporate environment, rather than the hands-on, daily grind of running his own business. However, the acquisition allowed Jim to take on senior executive roles at Clemenger BBDO, where he eventually became the company's leader, showcasing the successful outcome of the acquisition for both parties. The speaker shares his experience transitioning from a hands-on, customer-facing role to a more corporate environment, which he initially found challenging. However, he emphasizes the importance of staying connected to the core business by getting involved in day-to-day operations, like working in the warehouse. He advises others making a similar transition to focus on developing new skills, being open to advice from mentors, and embracing the discomfort of trying new things, rather than reverting to familiar tasks. Overall, the speaker emphasizes the need for leaders in the agricultural industry to maintain a well-rounded understanding of their business. The speakers discuss the growing interest and optimism in the agriculture and agribusiness industries, particularly among the younger generation. They highlight how farmers today can confidently encourage their children to return to the family farm, knowing it can provide a sustainable and viable career. The speakers also emphasize the diverse opportunities within the broader agricultural supply chain, from trading to secondary and tertiary industries. One speaker reflects on the pride and connection he feels in buying back his family's farm, and the joy of his children growing up in a rural community, learning valuable life lessons. Overall, the conversation celebrates the positive trajectory of the agriculture sector and the meaningful legacies that can be passed down through generations. Jim, the speaker, shares his pride in finding a "center of gravity" in his life by balancing his professional roles with the joy of returning home to his farm and tending to his sheep. He credits a mentor named Rod Bennett for providing invaluable wisdom and advice, particularly on dealing with competitors and staying focused on innovation rather than looking back. Jim emphasizes the importance of trusting one's instincts and abilities to navigate challenges and pursue the next big idea. When it comes to building professional farm businesses, Jim advises developing strong personal leadership skills to clearly articulate one's vision and inspire others to follow. The speakers discuss the importance of clarity, vision, and momentum in leadership and business growth. They emphasize the need for leaders to have a clear understanding of their market, product, and competitive differentiation, and to effectively communicate this vision to their team. The speakers also advise breaking down long-term goals into achievable short-term objectives, celebrating small wins, and building momentum through job satisfaction and a growth mindset. They caution against getting distracted by the distance to the final destination, and instead focus on the incremental progress that can compound over time. In this podcast discussion, Jeremy, a part-time farmer, shares his struggles with the financial realities of farming, despite his passion for it. He emphasizes the importance of having a job off the farm to fund the farming activities. The speakers, including Jim, a successful entrepreneur, discuss the value of celebrating short-term wins with the farming team and family to build momentum and motivation. They also highlight the importance of learning from success stories outside of farming and recognizing one's own achievements, even when it may feel uncomfortable. The conversation underscores the challenges and rewards of being a farmer and the importance of maintaining a balanced and supportive approach.  

In my last episode introduction I asked - who here has felt real financial duress and overwhelming stress or hardship in this game called farming?   In this episode, I explore this theme further with an in-depth interview with Sarah Crossthwaite. Sarah lives and works with her husband and family on a dairy farm in Northeast Victoria. She has an impressive career as an accredited mental health social worker, actively supporting men and women of our industry through times of hardship.   Recently Sarah made the decision to complete a Nuffield Scholarship, and embark on a global research project exploring the impact that financial duress, market volatility and government interventions can have on the mental health and well-being of farming families.   To say this is an important research piece is an understatement, and I commend Sarah for her dedication and commitment as an advocate for the mental strength and well-being of our industry and rural communities.   In this podcast, we explore what it is Sarah sees, what it is she is hoping to achieve through this research, and the impact she hopes her research might have.   The Nuffield Foundation is an incredible organisation and global network, committed to supporting research projects like this one that can have an impact of significance on the farming sector – both locally and globally.   In this podcast we also explore the process that Sarah has moved through to be accepted as a Nuffield Scholar, and what it is like to be part of that great organisation and global network.   You can learn about Sarah's research project here.   You can learn more about and apply for a Nuffield Scholarship here.   Also, for support more personally around mental health and well-being – for you or someone you know – we provide some links that might help you:   TIACS : https://www.tiacs.org/ Rural Health Connect : https://ruralhealthconnect.com.au/ Rural Aid : https://www.ruralaid.org.au/counsellors/     Congratulations Sarah, thank you for your time, and I look forward to a follow-up conversation once your research and global tour on this topic is complete.     Sincerely,   Jeremy Hutchings & The Farm Owners Academy Team

Who here has felt real financial duress and overwhelming stress and hardship in this game called farming? I feel this is relevant and real for so many - it isn't always an easy game to play.   In this podcast it gives me great pleasure to interview FOA Alumni Members Cassandra & Andrew (Rusty) Kath.   From start-up to established, from 50 cows to 500 cows, and from financially and personally broken to a professional and lasting success, the Kathleigh Farms story is now just as much one to watch as it is one to appreciate for their achievement so far.   Years ago, Andrew & Cassandra found themselves in a destructive share-farming relationship, placing immense pressure them financially and personally. At rock-bottom, Andrew & Cass dug-deep, focused on themselves and on making meaningful change. They made a massive commitment to join the FOA Community, and with grit, learning and determination have transformed their business and lives.   Over the last 5 years, we have seen Kathleigh Farms grow from humble beginnings to being a truly high-performing and professional farm business. We now see this emerging business with the systems, business model, foundations and team to support continued profitability and sustained growth.   In this interview we explore: the importance of focusing on our MINDSET as farmers; how scarcity and fear-based thinking can limit us; why doing business with people with similar values is so important; how surrounding yourself with good people can be a catalyst for change; and how making our own growth can change everything for the better.   We are proud of the resilience, optimism and confidence Andrew & Cassandra both now enjoy, the way in which they have overcome adversity on their journey, and the results they now enjoy.   In this interview there is mention of Mark Kluwer's ‘Breath & Breakthrough' Men's Retreat and Tracy Secombe's Soul Pleaser Program – two programs we recommend to those interested.   Thank you Cass & Rusty for your openness and willingness to share. We feel fortunate to have you such active and generous members of the FOA Community, and such valued members of the FOA Team.   There are some incredible insights in this – for the first generation farmer and for those feeling real stress and pressure in terms of your reality right now.   Use this as inspiration that with focus, better thinking and deep determination good things can come.   Sincerely, Jeremy Hutchings & The Farm Owners Academy Team

So many farming families we meet have businesses that are completely dependent on them. In addition, so many farm owners across Australia's have business models that are not risk-aware, sufficiently profitable, sustainable, or optimal over time.   Is your business model delivering you the outcomes you want from your farm?   So often we see farmers ‘rinsing and repeating' business models that have worked in the past, only to find they are not optimal or even relevant in our current economic climate.   To quote Einstein: “Doing the same thing over and again and expecting a different result, is the definition of insanity.”   With inflation, increased interest rates and softening commodity prices, it has never been more important to actively stress-test the potential and resilience of the business model you have, then seek to refine, re-engineer and adapt it to ensure it is profitable long-term AND relevant in the current economic climate.   The question is, HOW?   In this podcast, I speak to this, then advocate for a 90-minute webinar that Farm Owners Academy developed, revealing, “Simple Budgeting for a Profitable Farm”.   For anyone wanting to learn how to review, critique and refine their business model… AND master the key skills needed to set down a meaningful budget or cashflow forecast for their business, then click here and watch (a recording of) this webinar:   www.farmownersacademy.com/businessmodelling   There were over 1,100 farmers registered for this event, and so I feel it is relevant for so many of you right now!   Thank you to Greg Johnsson, Sam Johnsson and the FOA Team for the significant effort you have put into making this webinar possible.   Enjoy, and I look forward to hearing the change you make on the other side of this significant session.   Here's to the crafting of new, current, and winning farm business models across this community!   Sincerely,   Jeremy Hutchings & The Farm Owners Academy Team   P.S. Did you know that our core program – the Platinum Mastermind was created to help you maximise the profitability of your farm? We now benchmark over $2bn in farm assets annually and we work with over 150 farm owners to help them improve their financials. Please email support@farmownersacademy.com or head to our website https://www.farmownersacademy.com/ for more information

I love the concept that perhaps our subconscious programming is the thing that is holding us back.   I also like the concept that money is just a tool to give us what we want in life.   However, I believe that many of us have a SCARCITY or ABUNDANCE mindset toward money.   I like the idea of visualising money as ‘fun tickets' to be used and enjoyed for me and others, now and in the future.   Throughout my journey, I have gotten comfortable with the fact that money:   Is not hard to come by Is not beyond my control Is not the ‘root of all evil' and that it CAN ‘grow on trees!'   How is your mindset toward money serving you?   In this episode, I call on Investment Specialist and Freedom Trader Terry Tran, to explore:   How his attitude toward money has changed. Where the previous money mindset he inherited might have taken him. How to think like an INVESTOR rather than a worker. His beliefs around and approach to making money and investing now. What it means to create a truly abundant, fulfilled and wealthy life.   As a first-generation Aussie who came here as a refugee on a boat as a child, I feel Terry is a true example of how we CAN change our lives by changing our psychology. He has a great insight into what is holding the ‘average Aussie farmer' back from creating off-farm wealth.   Terry has a FREE LIVE online training exclusive for our Farm Owners community called ‘How to Create Off-Farm Wealth Consistently and Safely' on Tuesday the 5th of March. I recommend you make this a priority – register here: https://www.thefreedomtrader.com/farmownersacademy/   It is always great to connect with Terry, have him on our podcast, and see him support farming families across our community. I hope there is something in this episode of substance for those of you who enjoy it with us.   Thank you.   Jeremy Hutchings & The Farm Owners Academy Team   P.S. - a reminder about Terry's upcoming webinar ‘How to Create Off-Farm Wealth Consistently and Safely' - register here: https://www.thefreedomtrader.com/farmownersacademy/   P.P.S - We warmly invite you to join us for our FREE webinar “Simple Budgeting for a Profitable Farm” on the 13th of March to equip yourself with the tools and knowledge for creating an accurate budget - that you can actually stick to! Reserve Your Seat Now. https://www.farmownersacademy.com/simple-budgeting-for-a-profitable-farm

When people succeed at the highest level, often all we see of them is their endeavour and their achievement.   We never really get to hear of the challenge, the hardship or the immense struggle that is behind the enduring success.   There can be so many lessons relevant to how, as farmers, we can better face the challenges that come our way and overcome adversity and change.   In this episode, I feel deeply privileged to interview Anna Meares – 11-time world champion and the greatest female track cyclist of all time.   Throughout Anna's sporting career, she achieved:   2 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze over four consecutive Olympics 11 gold, 10 silver, 6 bronze at World Championships 5 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze at Commonwealth Games   Anna also has many titles including the Institute of Sport's "Best Of The Best" inductee and is a Hall of Fame recipient, flag-bearer and Captain at our 2016 Olympic Games. She is now a 2024 Chef de Mission, coach, mentor and teacher to our current era of Olympian legends...   What impressed me the most about my time with Anna was her courage, grit, strength and sheer determination. With all of this, I am in awe of her humility, her generousness, her vulnerability, and her authenticity.   After an unmatched career as an athlete, Anna now finds joy and fulfilment in her endeavour to stand behind people, be in service and support others to achieve at their highest levels.   So many great lessons for all of us on what it takes to lock in meaningful goals and achieve our best.   Thank you, Anna, you are truly a great Australian.   Jeremy Hutchings & The Farm Owners Academy Team   P.S. We warmly invite you to join us for our FREE webinar “Simple Budgeting for a Profitable Farm” on the 13th of March to equip yourself with the tools and knowledge for creating an accurate budget - that you can actually stick to!   Click HERE to Reserve Your Seat Now.

Throughout our lives, and often at this time of year, we can find ourselves reflecting and asking important questions like; Why am I here? What am I doing this for? What is it that is my purpose in life? What do I want for my life? How do I want to be remembered? Over my business journey, I have been lucky enough to study with and learn from one of the great business minds of our time, Marshall Thurber. In his teachings, Marshall emphasises that there are universal laws (laws of nature) that, when applied to our businesses and lives, can offer us so much certainty and confidence and set a robust foundation on which to see our results grow exponentially. In this episode, and in my attempt to answer these questions, I offer an insight into the Law of Precession - how we can apply it to our lives, how to set down major, definite goals, and make a more meaningful impact as leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs.   Linked with this, I share some lessons learned from one of my favourite books, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill – a read I recommend highly to you.   From these teachings, I believe that we all have the opportunity to tap into a higher universal power if we are open. We all have access to infinite intelligence. This can help us achieve ‘more with less', experience abundance (over scarcity), and, importantly, make more of an impact with the time we have - in family, community and industry.   I hope you find my ramblings and reflections in this episode valuable. I hope it helps you answer these questions and set compelling goals for your new year. I look forward to hearing from you and receiving your feedback.   To one unsuspecting Farm Owners Academy farmer member… thank you for this question, which prompted this episode.   As we arrive at a new year, I want to thank you for tracking with us and for your loyalty to this podcast. It is a privilege for us to provide it.   If you know someone we should interview, let us know via the Profitable Farmer Facebook Group or by emailing support@farmownersacademy.com.   What we can achieve for our families and in our lives can be beyond our comprehension if we learn and apply the generalised principles…!   With gratitude,   Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team

As farm business owners, we can often be operating at intense and unsustainable levels for extended periods of time. Many times, the farm comes first, and so many other important things take the back seat.   Our farms can be under-resourced, our teams insufficient, our realities out of control and operations completely dependent upon us. Our plans are in our heads, marriages out of alignment - husbands, wives and families missing out on what life and family are truly meant to be about.   That is where Platinum Mastermind members Sam & Carla Armytage found themselves.   Let's be very real for a minute: the pressures of owning and running a significant farm business can be immense. Even for the super-human, at times, this can all become too much.   In sharing their genuinely inspirational story, in their usual humble and understated ways, Sam & Carla explain where their life was at, consumed by the pressures of putting the farm first. They outline the very real impact this was having on their marriage and family.   To their credit, and 5 years on, Sam & Carla have completely transformed their business, farm, team and lives. They own and manage a truly successful and highly scalable business with the capacity to grow and support their next generation of passionate young farmers in Charlotte, Will & James.   Breakthroughs can follow breakdowns. Transformation can come from acknowledging burn-out and then giving yourself permission to take a break, re-claim perspective and go again with renewed energy, different priorities and a more meaningful and common plan.   Sometimes, we need education and support to change direction, not motivation to speed up.   I want to acknowledge you, Sam & Carla, for your willingness to share your journey and for the immense, often quiet and in-the-background contribution you make to other members of our Farm Owners Academy community.   Well done for the grit and sheer commitment you have led with, the love and loyalty you consistently extend to each other, and congratulations on the transformations you have achieved – personally, as a couple, as parents and as business leaders – for your commitment to change and your success truly now speaks for itself.   For all the challenges and hardships, we are all so very proud of you and excited for you.   Here's to a very bright future!   Hutch & the Farm Owners Academy Team  

As the finish line to another calendar year arrives, I cherish the opportunity to share the stories of some of our incredible community members - to celebrate their success in all they do as business owners and farmers.   Martin & Hayley Grosser own and operate MHG Farming Enterprises, a mixed sheep and dryland cropping operation at Kaniva in Victoria's Western Wimmera. Their success in farming over the past 10 years, to say the least, is deeply impressive.     From a standing start to over 5,000 acres under management, Martin & Hayley have been stand-out members and incredible contributors to the Farm Owners Academy community.   In this interview, we share their story and reflect and celebrate:   the courage they have shown to scale in today's climate successfully; their ability to back themselves and make bold growth decisions; the importance of strong financial acumen AND a positive money mindset; the value of benchmarking and regular farm performance analysis; the power of a concise strategic plan and feeling aligned as a family and on-farm team; and the confidence that strong mentors, coaches and community can play in supporting your success.   Whilst very different in personality, I am always so impressed by the love and strength shared between Hayley & Marty. They truly make a fantastic team.   Marty & Hayley, congratulations on your success over the last 5 years, for your courage, optimism and determination. You deserve all the success that comes your way.   Your comments in this podcast are worthy of bottling and will offer genuine inspiration to so many husband & wife farm teams across our industry.   Thank you for your openness and reflecting with me on your journey.   We value you greatly and cannot wait to see what the future brings as you build from the incredible farming platform and leadership capability you have created.   Congratulations, and thank you.   To your success,   Hutch & Team

We can survive 3 weeks without food...   3 days without water…   But only 3 minutes without breathing.   As for parenting, our body, mind and many other critical life functions, we have never been taught HOW TO BREATHE.   As a result, and over time, most of us are immensely inefficient with our breathing, leading us to a long list of health conditions that keep us from living our best lives.   In this episode, I speak with my wonderful wife, mother of four, high-performance physiotherapist, and now breathing re-training specialist, Jane Hutchings -  to explore the importance of LEARNING TO BREATHE WELL.   Anxiety, stress, depression, asthma, hay fever, insomnia, sleep apnoea, restless legs, snoring, excess sweating, brain fog, mental fatigue and burnout are just some of the conditions we face when we breathe poorly.   Rather than medication or physical interventions, focusing on learning to breathe properly can see all these health challenges vastly improved and even overcome for any or all of us.   With a 25-year+ high-performance physiotherapy career, 6 years of focused training & research, Founder - Mint Condition Breathing Retraining, and facilitator of a proven short course now available to everyone, I find it incredible the results Jane is achieving with boys & girls and men & women of all ages across Australia and beyond.   I see so many farmers struggling to sleep well. I see so many farmers fatigued by the stress and pressure of this game we choose to play. I also see so many in our families challenged by hay fever, asthma and related respiratory conditions.   For more information on Jane and her programs, go here: www.mintcond.com.au   Jane & I truly believe that breathing well is the essential piece that links a commitment to fitness, mindset, diet, learning, entrepreneurship… and achieving a balanced, healthy, high-quality life.   Jane, congratulations on the difference you make to so many.   We are very proud of you.   Jeremy & the Farm Owners Academy team   P.S. Tracy Secombe & I are hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, 29th November, on ‘Beating Burnout & Increasing Resilience' – I hope to see you online for this important topic. You can secure your seat here: https://learning.farmownersacademy.com/burnout

Leadership is about giving those around you certainty.    Making strong predictions based on quality information and taking proactive action in tough times is a hallmark of strong leadership.   Many Aussie farmers have experienced a marked drop in meat prices in recent months, impacting their realities and outlook significantly.   As in Episode 121 with Grain & Oilseeds Lead Analyst - Stefan Vogel, I once again call on the elite Rabobank Research team and Senior Analyst – Animal Proteins Angus Gidley-Baird to help us understand what has happened and what to expect in the red meat markets in the near to medium term.   In addition, I call on the experience of Farm Owners Academy Co-founder and Director Greg Johnsson to offer his insights on this important topic and some guidance on where we need to focus as farmers to best navigate this period in our industry strongly and strategically.   In this episode, Angus, Greg & I explore:   what has happened; why it has happened; recent supply chain dynamics; consumption trends, locally and globally; how this will impact us; meat price predictions; and where we should be focusing as farmers.   It is time to focus on what we can control, accept what we cannot, and be proactive in challenging our business models, our production costs, and their suitability for what lies ahead.   We need to be right on top of our budgets and cashflows and proactive in our conversations with suppliers, clients and financiers.   I hope insights from this interview support you to make clear predictions, take decisive action and look for the opportunities available to us all at this time.   All the best, and sincerely,   Hutch & Team

At Farm Owners Academy, we are big believers that our mental well-being is closely linked to our physical health AND positive social interactions.    I am delighted to interview Active Farmer Founder and Director Ginny Stevens in this episode. Over eight years, Active Farmers has grown from an idea and one weekly fitness class in Mangoplah, NSW, to a significant and important national charity supporting thousands of farmers' physical health and mental well-being across 65 rural communities.    It is an incredible story, and one Ginny Stevens, her family, and her team can feel immensely proud of.    Now, with a team of 40 fitness trainers, an operational unit of 6 supported by a compelling board and a long list of sponsors and partners, Active Farmers is poised for its next growth step and the opportunity to make an even greater impact on the resilience of our great industry.    In this episode, I ask Ginny to share her back story and offer an insight into the Active Farmers journey.    For me, it is a healthy reminder of the importance of making a stand for what you believe in - finding a meaningful social problem to solve, having the courage to pursue your greatest passion, setting down a selfless and inspiring vision, backing yourself… and then just the sheer grit, persistence and determination needed to create something meaningful.     When we do these things, the ‘universe' can conspire in our favour, we attract all the people and resources we need, and the impact we can together have can be beyond our comprehension.    Ginny, thank you for Active Farmers. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to your cause over 8+ years. Thank you for the genuine impact you and your team are having on the health and well-being of Australian farmers AND the impact you are having on the resilience and vibrancy of our rural communities.    www.activefarmers.com.au    I look forward to tracking with you and supporting your next chapter across our Australian Farming Landscape.    Sincerely,    Hutch & the FOA Team 

One of the best bits about being part of Farm Owners Academy is the life-long friendships we see being fostered across our incredible and growing community.   One of the greatest privileges of being a Coach is supporting great people to make meaningful and lasting changes in their personal and business development journeys.   Our members achieve huge amounts in their 3-year Platinum Mastermind journey. Sure, their business profitability grows, their farms expand, their families become more aligned, and they set up teams and more professionally lead their farms.   But what inspires me the most is seeing the personal growth that so many individual members achieve and how this can completely change their lives.   In this episode, I am pleased to introduce you to Peter Moloney, one of our recent Platinum Mastermind graduates. Peter, his wife Kate and their 3 young men own and operate a 50,000 acre property and successful beef operation at Auguthella, north of Charleville in Western Queensland.   In this episode, and from his speech at our recent graduation ceremony in front of 400 people, we learn about Peter's life-long struggle with dyslexia. We learn how this has limited him, impacted him and challenged his sense of self and mental well-being. We learn how he did all he could for over 40 years of his life to keep this a secret from everyone in his world, ashamed and in fear of being called ‘dumb' and made ‘look stupid.'   More importantly, in this conversation, we see how – with courage and a commitment to deeper self-work – Peter has shown the courage to be vulnerable about his reality, face his fears, overcome limiting childhood conditioning, let go of ego, realise he had more potential, face head-on all that was holding him back, change some limiting beliefs, create a new and more meaningful personal story and ultimately find a level of peace and happiness he has strived for, for so long.   Peter, I commend you on the strength you have shown through this process and the courage you show now in standing up in front of hundreds and thousands and sharing your story in the hope it might just make a positive difference to someone who might hear it.   You are a good man, Pete. An inspiration. Thank you, and well done.   Here's to a very bright future full of love and happiness.   In friendship,   Hutch & the Farm Owners Academy team.

Often, it is my observation that succession is made to be a bigger and more complex issue than it needs to be. Often, in my opinion, good business practice applied to family business can be the key to aligning a family to a common goal and plan; creating meaningful, regular and proactive communications; providing financial clarity and control for all parties; delivering structures and systems to support all team members in their roles; and helping ensure all expectations relating to succession are understood and clear. Let me be clear, I am not saying succession is easy. What I am saying, is that the timely and proactive application of good business practices have proven to help farm business families be more effective, and then make succession a more palatable and constructive process. Four weeks ago I was asked to be part of the Annual Pooginook Client Field Day, and be interviewed alongside succession specialist Isobel Knight, Proagtive on the topic of Business & Succession, by interviewer and journalist David Cussons. Such an important topic, and I hope you find this valuable. I commend the Pooginook Team, led by John Sutherland (Genetics & Sales Manager) and Andrew Glover (Station Manager), for both the genetic and productive performance advancements they are making for the dual-purpose merinos of Australia, AND also for the innovation they show in facilitating conversations like this one so relevant for their extensive, national client base and so many in our industry. Based in the Riverina NSW, Pooginook Merino and Poll Stud is one of Australia's largest and most innovative producers of advanced, highly productive, dual-purpose, mules-free merinos, backed by +80 years of breeding experience and data.   www.pooginoook.com.au   To the Pooginook Team, thank you for having Isobel & I – a compelling event for all attending. Well done on your pioneering and leadership, and a special thank you to David Cussons (Director, Cussons Media) for your approach to this interview, and to John Sutherland (Genetics & Sales Manager, FocusAg) for making this happen. To all, be kind to each other in this process, and be open to doing the deeper work personally, so you can arrive to succession with the compassion, love and respect that each of our families deserve. Sincerely,   Hutch & Team   P.S. For those who are interested, we will be hosting a free webinar on September 20th – all about how to create a winning team. You can register for the webinar here: Team Webinar Registration

Farmers can be a humble bunch, perhaps in part a function of a certain ‘tall poppy syndrome' that exists across our landscape. As a result, as well as the fact that most of us are production-focused and not necessarily marketing-trained, we are not always great at telling our unique stories or promoting our own business ‘brand.'   Taking this further, globally, there seems to be an ever-increasing gap and misunderstanding between the food consumer and the farmer producer.   Simply, there are so many great Australian agricultural stories that need to be shared and so many good things happening in our industry that our food-consuming society needs to hear, understand, and appreciate.   Farmers, if we don't tell our story, someone else will be…   In this episode, I am pleased to spend time with the Founder of Humans of Agriculture, Oli Le Lievre. Oli & his team are dedicated to bridging this gap and walking alongside people in our industry to help them uncover and share their unique stories.   Personally, I feel this is important work on so many levels. I commend Oli & his team for their endeavour, commitment and pioneering.   Whilst a new and emerging project for our industry, it is my prediction that the Humans of Agriculture movement will make an impact of significance for farming families, for food supply chains and in enhancing both awareness and appreciation for the good work we all do in helping to ‘feed the world.'   For our listeners, who do you have around you helping to uncover your uniqueness – as a business, family, employer and contributor?   www.humansofagriculture.com   Well done, Oli. Keep up the great work, and thank you for all you do!   Keep making great stories.   Hutch

We find ourselves in an economic environment very different to 12 months ago - now characterised by high inflation, rising interest rates and an uplift in unemployment in most of our trading nations across the globe.    On the back of a compelling quarterly economic review to our Members, I have invited Terry Tran – Freedom Trader – to join me again to make sense of it all. To give us a no BS take on what is happening in our world, what it means, how to play (as an investor), and to understand where the opportunities (in the investment landscape) lay.    Terry now predicts a high chance of global recession, resulting from a marked economic slowdown in the USA, Europe and China. This requires us all to think deeply about our business models and our approach to business and investing in the years to come.    Overnight the US has seen a credit downgrade - it's first since 2011 following a close call on a debt ceiling default. This follows its 11th consecutive rate rise since March 2022 to a 22-year high, forcing other countries, including Australia, to follow suit to maintain strength in our domestic currency.    A change in the company regulatory environment and a policy reversal directly impacts foreign investment inflows into China, sparking a slowdown in the Chinese economy.    And a disparate and fragmented Europe is likely the major trading nation to be most adversely impacted in years to come...    It's refreshing to sit with Terry and have him lay it all out for us and offer a view of the globe we can all make some sense of.    It's compelling to sit with Terry and explore what this means and where the opportunities are for the proactive and strategic investor.    While Ted Lasso is telling us to ‘be the goldfish'… Terry recommends we ‘be the whale'.    Thank you for your brilliance, Terry.    Enjoy everyone.     Hutch    PS – To learn how to take advantage of our new reality as investors, join Terry for a FREE & FOA EXCLUSIVE INVESTMENT MASTERCLASS Wednesday, 23rd August… register now: https://www.thefreedomtrader.com/farmownersacademy

What does moving from a ‘start-up' to ‘significance' as an entrepreneur take? Let's find out. In this episode, I am delighted to reconnect with my past business coaching client, now successful entrepreneur Steven Mirtschin. Leaving a successful banking career to back himself in business, Steven now leads over 13 businesses and a team of over 150. Over 15 years, Steven has successfully scaled a combination of franchise-based businesses in the fitness and hospitality sectors. He has sought out team members and others to partner with, created immense opportunities for those within his team, established a small business empire that delivers first-class service to those he serves, and proven results for all involved. There are so many insights to come from this discussion. For me, Steven shows us that successfully scaling up in business requires: a shift in mindset from an operator to manager and strong leader; a long-term commitment to a clear and compelling vision; constant adaptation to your business model; immense persistence despite obstacles; a willingness to invest in and build people up; and a genuine care & concern for the opportunities you can create for those you employ. Steven has always been an impressive, confident, humble, and thoughtful business leader. He is also a deep-thinking and highly strategic business mind. Working with him over 13 years ago was a pleasure, and it is no surprise that Steven now arrives to lead a group of high-performing businesses that prides itself on excellence and growth. It is also great to see him turn his attention back to agriculture and to helping families become more aligned as they consider succession and their business improvement. Thank you, Steven. Some cracking insights within this conversation, and well done on all it is you have achieved. Sincerely, Hutch

You don't achieve greatness without first being a very special individual.   In this episode, I am pleased to introduce to you Aussie sporting icon Trevor Hendy, renowned as the greatest ironman on earth.   A former professional athlete having won six Australian Open Ironman titles and four consecutive World Ironman titles, Trevor has become a coach, role model, teacher and mentor to sporting and business elite across Australia and worldwide.   Now a member of the Order of Australia and an inductee into the World Surf Life Saving, Australian Life Saving and Australian Sporting Halls of Fame, Trevor has become as revered as much for the impact he has made to helping people live their best life, as he has as a sporting great.   What I love about Trevor is his openness and his willingness to share his experiences, his successes and challenges, in his heart-filled intention to selflessly serve others and teach those he connects with how to find calmness, contentment, presence, fulfilment and joy in our lives.   In this episode, Trevor reminds us that we are spiritual beings living a human experience.   He shares his tips on how we can pursue our potential, get out of our heads, let go of EGO, remove judgement and comparison, find peace in the moment, and accept and take responsibility for our reality to find more joy and happiness in our busy lives.   He speaks of his experiences of burnout, anxiety and depression and offers up some tips on how to navigate these life challenges and move forward strongly.   It is a privilege to come to know Trevor and to have him now contributing to our community.   This is a conversation that could have lasted for days. It is my hope we can extend on this with a follow-up with Trevor at another time. For now, enjoy this for what it is – an incredible, heartfelt, spiritual conversation.   Thank you to David Westbrook for making this possible and for being part of this conversation.   If open and willing, I encourage you to listen to this 2-3 times - to take the lessons and apply them to your life.   I believe we all have more potential within us and perhaps a bigger game to play. I hope this inspires you to be courageous and responsible in pursuit of your best life.   Thank you, Trevor.   What a truly great Australian.   Keep being incredible.   Hutch & Team

We all now know that safety on-farm is an important issue. We also know that most farm businesses have more to do in this area, and it is pleasing to see so many farming families prioritising farm safety as a core part of the business improvement strategies.   SafeAg System is presently leading the way in helping farming families create safer and more professional workplaces; their App & offering are now in place on over 15,000 farms in Australia and overseas.   What I like most about SafeAg Systems is that their solution also helps farm teams operate more effectively AND be safer. Their platform caters for machinery maintenance scheduling, inventory management, human resource management, contractor management, on-farm communications and systems improvement, AS WELL AS safety practices. This App solves a real business management and HR problem for farming businesses, large and small… almost as if a safer farm becomes the outcome.   For more information, click here: www.safeagsystems.com   In this episode, it is great to connect with CEO & Founder Katy Landt. I appreciate her openness and the opportunity to share the entrepreneurial back story to the growth of the SafeAg Systems business.   Succeeding in the tech start-up space is incredibly challenging. Now seven years old and with a dedicated team of over 25 employees, Safe Ag System looks toward its first capital raise and next expansion step.   We can learn so much from people who are courageous and determined enough to pursue this path.   The SafeAg Systems story is compelling and a real credit to Katy, her husband Drew, and her co-founding parents Mark & Caroline. Katy confirms that entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted. However, with deep determination, sheer ‘stubbornness' (as she puts it!) and a genuine passion to make an impact, anything is possible.   Congratulations, Katy and the SafeAg Team. Keep up the great work.   Stay safe, everyone! Hutch & Team

I have always been intrigued by Rabobank as a business.   A 120-year-old Dutch cooperative founded by farmers for farmers, now a global sensation specialising in agribusiness lending from over 1,000 offices across 38 countries, serving over 9 million customers... I think their Australasian Team are to be commended on the passion, dedication and quality support they provide to farming families across our region.   Just as interesting is the fact that their global research team spans over 140 leading analysts… all focused on finance and agri-markets… imagine the intelligence and insights available on navigating our local and international trading landscape!   In this episode, I am pleased to welcome Stefan Vogel, General Manager – RaboResearch, Australia & New Zealand, to our podcast.   I knew this would be a compelling conversation… but Stefan's commentary and global perspective completely exceeded my expectation in so many ways.   Thank you, Stefan, for your openness and your insight as we explore:   global and local grain production estimations; the interplay of our overseas competitors; impediments and challenges we collectively face; the impact of trade barriers into China; the potential implication of an El Nino weather event; expectations given the Ukraine – Russia situation and current trade deal negotiations… and so much more.   Insightful is an understatement… valuable? ABSOLUTELY.   Stefan and his team host their own podcast – simply search “RaboResearch” on all major podcasting platforms to start listening.   In addition, their recently released 2023/24 Grain Production Outlook is a valuable resource and can be found HERE.   The next few years will likely differ greatly from those we have just experienced. We need to adapt accordingly. I hope this interview provides a compelling global perspective for those of you on tractors as we get our new season underway.   All the best for this season, given the global market in which we operate.   Best,   Hutch & Team

For many, the last few years have been unique and positive – resulting from low inflation, low-interest rates, above-average commodity prices and above-average production.   Now, our current reality is very different.   We will likely see an extended period of increased inflation, increasing interest rates and softening commodity prices. In addition, from a production standpoint, there is talk of El Nino weather patterns ahead…   The question we should ALL be asking is: Can my farm business model handle this new reality?   In this episode, I call on the “Brains Trust”, inviting Farm Owners Academy Co-Founder Greg Johnsson and Executive Director at RLS Agribusiness Jeff McDonald to join me to explore this question in detail.   We discuss the importance of:   knowing your numbers; presenting proactively to your bank; developing a compelling economic model for your farm; stress-testing your farming system based on long-term average yield & prices; knowing your ‘new' cost of production; and being financially strong as a farm business owner.   In this, we share 2-3 key performance ratios we each need to be aiming for and emphasise the importance of considering these in confirming you have a business model that is agile, flexible, profitable (in most years) and resilient.   For more on this important topic, join Greg Johnsson & me on Wednesday 7th, June for a 90-minute webinar where we will dive deep into the core numbers you need to know and insight into what the top 20% of farmers are doing differently to adapt and thrive in this new agri-economic climate. For more information or to secure your seat, click here.   As always, a compelling conversation when I bring these two incredible minds together.   Enjoy, and all the best as you stress-test the strength of your business model.   Best,   Hutch & Team

At Farm Owners Academy, we help farming families create FREEDOM FARMS – that is a highly profitable business with the systems, structures, team AND performance to be able to work without dependence on you! As a team, we feel proud of the results that hundreds of farming families are achieving in their pursuit of this reality. Over the coming months, I will share some of these outstanding stories with you.   In this episode, I speak with Marina Gregor, who, along with her husband Brett, run a high-performing wool sheep enterprise ‘Willandra' on Kangaroo Island, about their journey to create a FREEDOM FARM. We explore the wins, challenges and numerous changes they have made along the way as well as how the FOA Community & Team have helped them. We also explore how benchmarking, budgeting, a shift in mindset and business coaching have helped them drive the performance of their farm and build out their business and on-farm team.   Eight years ago, Marina and Brett set down a Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal (BHAG):             Four months living as a family in Canada.   I am delighted to share that this interview is an international one! Navigating a 14-hour time difference as I speak with Marina, she is now two weeks into that four-month family holiday… their farm is under management and functioning strongly while they are away.   It is a great story and, importantly, a real example of what is possible when we get our mindset right and truly commit to a significant and meaningful goal.   Congratulations, Marina and Brett, on achieving a significant life-long dream.   I get that the road has not always been easy and that you have had to overcome some real challenges in pursuit of the goals & dreams you now enjoy.   Marina, we are delighted now to have you as an Accountability Coach on our team, sharing your experience and helping others achieve the success you now enjoy.   On behalf of the FOA Team, we are proud of all you have achieved.   To an incredible time for you and your family, and to realising important dreams!   Thank you. Hutch & Team

In life, we have the opportunity to meet some remarkable people. Those individuals are often quietly determined to serve others and make a meaningful impact.   I met Mike Stephens, Founder, Director and Lead Consultant of Meridian Agriculture, as an overly enthusiastic and bullish 25-year-old. I have regarded him as a role model and mentor ever since.   One of Australian agriculture's truly great personalities, Mike has dedicated his career to farmers, to families getting on and to effective farm succession. Two and a half years ago, he completed the largest piece of research into farm succession globally. The insights from this are significant, and Mike shares some of them with us in this interview.   Combined with this is Mike's incredible ability to communicate and facilitate. As others committed to helping with succession, the depth and accuracy of the questions he asks of individuals and families and the process he takes you through to optimise a succession outcome for you is deeply impressive.   Mike and his team at Meridian Ag are experts in this space and are available to help you move through the succession planning process.   You can find them here: https://meridian-ag.com.au/   I think it is fair to say he and they are qualified to do so!   Congratulations, Mike, on a lifetime of work helping farming families across Australia and overseas to create legacies that can transcend generations. Congratulations also on 40 years in farm consultancy.   For an article overviewing Mike's findings, click here.   Thank you for your contribution, hard work and quiet, respectful determination to make an impact.   It is always great to connect with those that have in some way shaped you.   To all of you, I hope that this serves you.   Hutch & Team

So many farming families I meet feel completely REACTIVE in managing their farms. On so many levels, we often are left feeling like the business is running you, not you it. With all that is going on in a typical week, the long list of improvements to make, the complexities of programs and rotations, the changes of the season… for me, it is easy to see why so many arrive here.   One of my favourite quotes is from global personal performance expert Brian Tracy:   “We feel good about ourselves to the exact degree we feel in control of our lives.”   Three questions for you:  Are you feeling reactive or proactive in your leadership? Out of 10, how much control do you feel you have over the improvement of your plan? Out of 10, how aligned are your family & team to a common goal and clear plan? In this episode, I speak with Farm Owners Academy CEO Sam Johnsson. Sam commenced with us two years ago, following a highly successful corporate leadership career in a large design & engineering consultancy.   In this episode, we explore: why people are feeling so reactive in their farms right now; where staying this way can take us; and the exact process we use and recommend to help people shift to proactive and take control.    The power of a concise, agile and actionable STRATEGIC PLAN is key in helping farming families make the shift.   The Farm Owners Academy team recently met in the Barossa Valley for two days to reset our Strategic Plan. During our conversation, we share the process we went through, the same process we coach EVERY farm business that commits to our three-year Platinum Mastermind Program.   To download a copy of our 3 Page Planning Template - Click here.   To learn how to nail this - Click here.   To book a free Strategic Roadmap Call to get direct support specific to your business from a Farm Owners Academy Coach - Click here.   We care deeply about seeing farming families feeling aligned, in control, and working toward one clear, impactful plan.   Thank you, Sam, as always – you are a genius in this space.   Enjoy.   Hutch & Team