{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Humans of Agriculture","title":"They Turned Drought Survival Into a Smarter Farming Business with Nick & Chris Blunt (RIC Partner episode)","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2392,"description":"This week, Oli sits down with farmers Chris and Nick Blunt at their family farm near Orange, NSW.  The Blunts know the importance of water, and Chris can use his water divining skills to find it, but he needed the capital in order to support the business survive and ultimately rebound from the drought. \n\nIn this episode, Chris Blunt shares how a lifetime on the land has helped him build deep instincts and partnering that with his son Nick’s background in finance - they’re building a thriving future fit business. \n\nThe Blunt’s used a low-interest loan through the Regional Investment Corporation, to build water security for their business and help to secure its future direction. \n\nRIC is the Australian Government’s farm business lender providing low-interest loans for farmers and farm-related small businesses to prepare for, manage through and recover from tough financial times.\n\nKey insights from the conversation:\nMulti-generational farming and succession in practice\nDecision-making under pressure (drought context)\nThe role of financial literacy in modern farming\nBlending instinct with data and external advice\nUsing finance to rebuild and grow\nChapters:\n00:00 Introduction to Family Farming and Legacy\n01:43 Chris’s Spiritual Connection to the Land\n04:36 The Importance of Safety in Farming\n07:05 Navigating Drought and Financial Challenges\n12:57 Collaboration Between Generations\n17:30 Decision Making During Crisis and Drought\n21:20 Utilising a RIC Loan for Growth\n25:43 The Benefit of having a career outside Farming \n28:24 Water Security and Its Impact\n30:12 Future Aspirations and Innovations in Farming","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/PupbXbFywMWTJ5gch17EL4BoFl2vAICgyQAK9XnOB7I/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMxNDk1LzE2NjAw/ODMxNDAtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}