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.
In 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.
The 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.
RIC 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.
Key insights from the conversation:
- Multi-generational farming and succession in practice
- Decision-making under pressure (drought context)
- The role of financial literacy in modern farming
- Blending instinct with data and external advice
- Using finance to rebuild and grow
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Family Farming and Legacy
01:43 Chris’s Spiritual Connection to the Land
04:36 The Importance of Safety in Farming
07:05 Navigating Drought and Financial Challenges
12:57 Collaboration Between Generations
17:30 Decision Making During Crisis and Drought
21:20 Utilising a RIC Loan for Growth
25:43 The Benefit of having a career outside Farming
28:24 Water Security and Its Impact
30:12 Future Aspirations and Innovations in Farming
Running a farm business comes with its challenges; from seasonal conditions to rising costs and cash flow uncertainty, there can be many unknowns along the way.
Regional Investment Corporation, simply known as RIC, is the Australian Government’s agri-lending specialist, providing low interest loans to help eligible farm businesses navigate challenges. Whether that’s starting out, planning for succession, or managing through tough conditions like drought and natural disasters, RIC helps viable farmers to keep farming.
With concessional interest rates, RIC loans can provide valuable breathing space, helping farmers manage cash flow while they get through tough times or to build their business.
Every situation is different, so it’s important to understand what support may be available and what’s involved before applying.
Visit
ric.gov.au to learn more, explore your options, and check your eligibility.