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We're going behind the scenes to see and understand modern agriculture, because no matter whether you're in it or not, you probably don't know all the pieces to just how incredible, diverse and multi-layered agriculture is. We do this by uncovering the real stories, experiences and voices of modern agriculture.
Oli Le Lievre 0:02
G'day, welcome back to the humans of agriculture podcast. I'm your host Ali leave. And as always, thank you for joining me. I'm recording this one on one around country and I'd like to extend my respects and acknowledge that country wherever you're taking our podcasts this way. This way is part of an episode series that we've teamed up with MLA, Meat and Livestock Australia to chat to a few different people involved in red meat in Australia. We had Sandberg a few weeks ago, and today I'm joined by Sandra Eisen. I first came across Sanders work with her involvement in the haying program. There'll be a little bit more on this later in the episode. As some of you are aware livestock prices and dry season all conditions are a little bit different to what has been experienced over the last few years. So upfront, I wanted to just check in on Sandra, how she's getting on how they're approaching it and how her and her husband are using the experience to prepare and manage through these uncertain times. Sandra's home is a little town called bluegill. in southwestern New South Wales, it's out on the High Plains. I think over the years, what they've gone through is they've had farmland that was bought back turned into national parks. Sandra mentions that the local school is actually closing down at the end of the year. And it really just gave me a little bit of perspective in terms of some of the challenges that rural communities and people need to overcome. With no local school, it means that kids will either turn to School of the Air, or they need to travel further afield for their education. About 10 years ago, Sandra, and a few others started Hey, Inc. It's a program to bring city kids to rural communities to show them the hands on lifestyle of what's involved in farming and agriculture. Today, it's still going all guns blazing. And it's still connecting local people in the community and city kids. And they've got more than 130 alumni. On top of juggling just a few things like volunteering and various community groups, the family farming business, as well as the industry involvement in various programs through Meat and Livestock. Sandra is one of those people who seems to juggle a whole lot she volunteers on various community groups. She's got the family farming business, and she also wants to contribute to the industry. And she's been involved with a few different programs through Meat and Livestock Australia, like the school kids and farmer question times. How on earth she fits it all in, I don't know, you might get a little bit more of an insight into this. But let's jump into it. I was looking at your background, and I was looking at your LinkedIn, you've got about nine different job titles Sandra ranging from running your own business, co founder of the thriving Women event, family owned beef cattle producer a suite of skills and communications and projects. And then on top of that mum as well. And God knows what other unlisted jobs and things you take up in the community as well. But how are you getting on out there?
Sandra Ireson 2:43
Oh, look, we're going really well. Thanks, Ali. Yes, I do have a few different hats that I wear. But you know, it keeps life entertaining. And it's very challenging and very rewarding. And things are going quite well out here at bulgur, we've had a really good winter, which is great. Unlike some others in the east, I feel for them, but definitely drying out now. And yeah, making some of those tough decisions.
Oli Le Lievre 3:03
And do you need to do it? What are some of those tough decisions that you guys are making? Are you just cuddle,
Sandra Ireson 3:07
we're both predominantly cattle. And we just have a few 100 sheep, which we use distintive Prime lamb to Griffith, we sell those just as fat lambs. But we do have some irrigation too. But we use that for producing pasture hay. So we've got a bit of a stockpile there. So planning Yeah, we've just finished pentesting heifers yesterday, and we're looking to to offload the empties. But on a falling market, it's a little bit challenging. So a bit more time in the office and crunching those numbers
Oli Le Lievre 3:32
about spending lots of time looking at what's happening in different places for you.
Sandra Ireson 3:36
Yeah, I mean, we've been here on our property here, my husband and I, since early 18 years on this property. So you know, we had some really tough times in 2009 and 10, when the river was stopped. So you know, you draw on those experiences in the past and go, Okay, here we go. Again, we've had a couple of good ones. So you know, and I think having that experience just makes it easier, not you know, feel for people that haven't had that experience to draw on. And yeah, it can be really, really tough sometimes.
Oli Le Lievre 4:05
So how do you guys approach it because this is something I'm really interested in, given that, like you've gone through hard times before, but we know that we are looking at a drier, hotter summer, and what we're recording this kind of the middle of September, so the temperature gauge is probably starting to creep up a little bit. And out of the blue as well. So what do you draw on? And how do you kind of get yourself ready? And what does it look like in the house to as you come into an unpredictable summer?
Sandra Ireson 4:32
I guess it's funny, my husband's father used to always say sell and repent but sell. So you know, bringing those numbers down we you know, we bred up quite well over the last couple of seasons since 2020. We got back down to you know, the 2019 drought, just a third of our breeders and so we've read back up and have great numbers now so it's just that cutting back numbers looking at what options we have how much feed is in the paddock, you know we've had a great season so we have a lot of So we know we can get through for a while, but just yeah, just planning who's going to leave first, the cattle, you know, and the options that are out there and what feed supplies and storage that we may have. So, we've been stockpiling our hay and things like that too. But being out here range lands, it's, you don't see the too wet or too dry. So coming off the big floods this time last year, we had to get into our paddocks and four wheelers, and things like that last year. So it's just a huge turnaround. But thinking about what's happened in the past and what worked and what didn't, and trying not to get too caught up in the hype and the media about how bad it is and how bad it's going to be. And it's just part of your business. You've just got to think this is just okay. Another challenge. Here we go. Which has been like last year with the floods too, you know, there were cattle that we probably were meant to get out sell off last year, that didn't happen. So we're still holding on to those, which is a little bit disappointing now, but that's where Fabi. So yeah,
Oli Le Lievre 5:56
it is Dorothy Michela wasn't wrong. What was she when she talked about droughts and flooding rains? It certainly seems to ring true in Australia. And it just seems to be a pendulum swinging from one to the other at the moment.
Sandra Ireson 6:06
That's right. And you know, the weather you can deal with and stuff. Sometimes the government decisions and things like that that affects your business can be a lot harder to deal with, because you can see that the challenge that it's put on you. So that's yeah, that's another sort of side of the business. I guess everyone that is in the red meat game at the moment is challenged with this dramatic fall in prices and handling those budgets is can be tough, really tough, especially when it comes so quickly. I think everyone was pretty happy with how things were ticking along the last couple of years. And yeah, here we go again.
Oli Le Lievre 6:38
Yeah, it certainly felt like it moved quickly. And there were just so many numbers, wasn't it? There's huge, like breeding numbers for both cattle and sheep. And then you start to hit Nova supply can move very quickly.
Sandra Ireson 6:51
Yeah, that's right. I'll yeah, it's that whole supply and demand thing, isn't it? And back to that, quote, sell and repent, but sell. And we we always keep that in the back of our mind. And then when we sell we go, Oh, glad we did that.
Oli Le Lievre 7:05
Put it up on the wall. Now, Sandra, I'm interested because you grew up as your seventh generation from the snowy mountains. You now in the high plains, geographically, slightly different terrain that you found yourself growing up in?
Sandra Ireson 7:19
Yes, coming out to the flat High Plains was definitely different environment. I came here and my husband took me around, are we going out there not his family property. And he goes, Oh, we're in the creek now. And going that is not a creek like really. And so flat in hay being, you know, the one of the flattest places in the southern hemisphere and beautiful saltbush plains and snowy mountains with you know, tree lists as well on the manera where I grew up, but hills and rocks and things like that. So your environment was totally different to what I come from. But I don't miss that freezing cold. That came from the Mineiro. But it was lovely having my family still there, my brother and his children and grandchildren. Now they're on our family property, which is really lovely to have them still over there, which is great. So we share a lot of knowledge together and chat about things. So I have a few sisters too. But they they live in the cities. So coming to hay in the bull legal area. So we're north of hay and bluegill on the Laughlin River. It was a great community to come into. I actually didn't really know anyone over here. But since moving here, there's been actually quite a few girls from the manera that have moved over to the high plains. So that actually at our wedding, one of the telegrams was stopped the export of Mineiro brides to the Western Riverina to the API. So yes, it was a telegram and our wedding. So yeah, that which has been great. So there's some good connections there. They're very welcoming community that hey, community. And when I first moved here, I became the first woman on the hay cutters, rugby club committee. So that was a great way to meet a lot of people and get straight into the community. And you're still involved in that rugby club community 30 years later. So which is great.
Oli Le Lievre 8:57
There's nothing quite like getting into a country town is and enjoying the sporting team. So we're about to get the update. Well, the headquarters in the grand final or something recently?
Sandra Ireson 9:05
Oh, yes, they were they just won the grand final. They're great for southern Riverina in Walker, which is great been 12 years since third one. So that was exciting. And yeah, my husband, Matt was one of the sort of system coaches and head coach for a couple of years. So we're sort of a three year campaign because we sort of 2020 We're, we're going well, so it's such a great, great sport to get, you know, especially young people, the kcat has has a lot of young guys that work in ag and they you know, that'd be 100k or more out of town and it's great for them to come in and socialize. It's a really good social event for them. So yeah, they did win the grand final. So that was fantastic. So it's great to be part of those sports. So the other thing that I got really involved in when I came to polygel area to was the we set up and started the bluegill shape races which was 30 odd years ago now so we had sort of 20 years of it so that was great. So they are coming up again too soon. So I've very big thing for our small community with Bolliger only has like one teacher school and one pub. So getting together and a great fundraiser for all the different organizations. So moving to a new district and starting up a new event was great. And I learned so many of my PR skills and got some great media contacts, which I still use now. And I learned so much from just doing that as a volunteer that I can take into businesses now, which was a great learning experience.
Oli Le Lievre 10:28
And there's one other sporting team, we better mentioned Sandra's Well, the high lions ifl. Team, they won their grand final on the weekend as well. It's amazing what you can learn through social media.
Sandra Ireson 10:36
Yeah, they did fantastic. And they hadn't won at the 28 years. And then to that their teens, they're under 17. And they'd be reserved one as well. So they've put hold three teams that were in the grand final one. So, so good for our whole community. And, you know, we've also got that rugby league team Hey, magpies, as well in high. So for a really small community of, you know, two and a half 1000 people to have three sporting codes over the winter period is huge. So it's very sporting town in communities is and that is really part of the community of hay and brings people together. So yeah, great to have some wins on the board.
Oli Le Lievre 11:09
It is. Now Sandra, I want to talk more a little bit about you rather than the town of hay and ball ago and I think naturally it's all going to come in together. But for you growing up on the menorah what were the aspirations what were the things that you wanted to pursue? And was agriculture on the cards for you?
Sandra Ireson 11:27
Yeah, agriculture was always on the cards for me. We grew up very hands on working on our farm with parents, Mum, what didn't sort of do as much outside she was more handling the inside things. There was also a preschool teacher part time. So dad had us out. We were very much I'm riding horses mustering most of the time. And you know, we'd be coming over the rocky hills with a mob of sheep and he says, you know, from the yards, or here, it's stealing the sheep and all of a sudden a little Kilbey had come out and help us kick them through the gate. So it was after school we'd ride and you know, caught the bus into town into to nimitta. Bell for for primary school and into Tacoma for high school. So very much Aggie orientated. Yeah, so I obviously then went off to university in Wagga actually. And well, I have a twin sister and she actually studied a visual art. So I was the iguana and she did the art scene. And then I actually left that job and worked in the snowy mountains in Thredbo. For a while, I left the university sorry, I worked in Thredbo for a while because I just went straight out of school wasn't ready to study. wasn't sure if it was what I really wanted to do so and then did end up going back to uni and getting my course they're done. So that was great and met so much. So many people there. But any holidays for me were coming back onto the Madeira and helping out in the shearing sheds rouse abouting My brother was doing a lot of sharing as well. So I'd go along with the roundabout, which was great. Let's share a couple of sheep back then. And yeah, a lot of sheep and wool. And I must say I am not a fan of sheep as much now as I am cattle. I liked them on paper sometimes like, Yeah, I'm still a witch. It's yeah, I have to be careful where I say that. But I have fallen in love with cattle since falling in love with their husband and moving to the high plains, I think
Oli Le Lievre 13:16
and beer you're in now, hi is certainly been pretty renowned over the years for a bit of a gap. Ya know, it's been a bit of a rite of passage for people, especially in the sheep industry over the years. And I my cousin, did it probably, he'd have to be nearly he'll have me saying this at 35, nearly 40 years ago, he was up there. And then other friends and things start to go through. It's changed, hasn't it? The need for Jack rose and younger people. And I guess the interest of younger people is actually dropped off from what it used to be in the roaring days.
Sandra Ireson 13:45
Yes, it has. I think when I first moved out to Hey, what's up 30 years ago, there was like 70 to 80 Jackaroo Jillaroos working in the community, you know, the rugby club had three teams, you know this now we're battling to get one. So you know, we lost that, you know, water buybacks, National Park by ups that land management changes, you know, people bring in contractors, which is a shame because there was such a good vibrant community. It was just so fun. And you know, all the sporting teams in Hayward fall. And it is a rite of passage. And you know, seeing that population lost and I noticed it really well with my older child was born in 1998. I would turn around one day and notice that you know, 12 of the families that had moved to the community or that had first children when I had mine had left the district. So in 2011, they had the second fastest falling population in the country in the census in 2011. So it wasn't something that we promoted. I was doing some work with tourism and economic development then in high and it was a challenging time because young people were leaving jobs weren't there. And on top of that, you know that the young the young people that came through that jewelry Jackery program of where they're learning from older generations and on fire I'm disappointed too. So from that gets we're leading into, that's how we sort of set up the hay and crew education program because we wanted to get those young people back into our community. And let them learn from the older generations learn from people in the industry, not just through an online or on a textbook or something like that. It's really a community being part of that community. So yeah, it has been a big change in population for hay. And yeah, it was it has was challenging time. So
Oli Le Lievre 15:26
interesting. You mentioned before your local town bowl ago, so you said one, teacher school.
Sandra Ireson 15:31
Yes, we're fortunate to have a one teacher school and I have three children now. And they're all grown up. When I first started having my first child up, it's the school closed. So a lot of families from around here go through High School of the Year, too. So I was sort of faced with having to teach school there here. And that was something I did not think I have the skills for other patients with my children. So did a lot of lobbying to get that school reopened. So sent my son as a four year old in kindergarten, so we had enough numbers and then repeated him, so that we could get that school reopened, which was great. And it was open for 20 years, let's just close it again now, which is a bit disappointing, but there's some numbers coming on. So hopefully, they'll be able to, to reopen that again. And that has been great football legal. And you know, we've got a pub there too. And it's a real hub of our community with the school. And the people in our town are great. But mostly people traveled, you know, 30 to 40 Ks into the school as well. So, and we do one day a week in Haiti as well. So I was very fortunate to have that school for our three kids. So yeah, both of them, the three of them were in the same classroom the whole time. And they were at primary school. So I knew everything that was going on with each of them was a lot of
Oli Le Lievre 16:42
fun, what's special memories for them as well.
Sandra Ireson 16:45
Again, we'd great and people are traveling, especially the ones with the kids doing school there, and we'd have tennis nights, and the kids had have run around and we'd just have a sausage sizzle. And that yeah, it was a great community great growing up experience for our kids with our little school close by it was really fun.
Oli Le Lievre 17:01
So let's keep talking about Hank, because I know we, we only just kind of started to touch on those loss of skills. And you saw the opportunity and wanted to bring it back together for so tell me who was involved in getting hazing up and going and just that purpose behind it.
Sandra Ireson 17:18
Yeah, well, I was really lucky that in 2012, I was doing a National Rural Women's coalition started that a Leaders Program. So it was an online leadership program. And that was the inaugural one. So I was lucky to be selected to do that. And amazingly, my internet works really well. And we had webinars and who would have thought, and it was great. So connected with women, right across Australia, there was 20 of us, and just learning from what they were doing in their communities was so rewarding. And I also then part of that course, we had to do a project for our community or our industry. So it was also around the time of the live export ban and how that flow on affected us. I have family up in the Northern Territory, my twin sisters up there, you know how that affected us was a big thing that I sort of went to the promoted a bit too, because it was like, I was just really shocked with what happened with that in that young people or anyone didn't know where their food came from. And that's the first way they learned how they food came from was it from that shocking video, and I just thought of all those animals, but all those poor people in Indonesia that all of a sudden have their protein source cut off and what was going to happen to those families. So the light bulb moment for me was like, Really, my son was in year seven in boarding school in Sydney. And you know, they were going around asking them to sign these petitions to ban the live export. And he sort of was on the phone going, Martin, what's what's sort of hits me like, and I also at the time was in Darwin, I went up for a week for the couple of days for the isolated children's parents association, which was I'm a member of on the committee. And it was the same time that so many families where they're so affected by what was happening, their motion in that conference was horrendous. And it's just stayed with me. And I think it's been a bit of that driving force of, we need to educate people about where their food comes from and how it's produced. And from that, I decided to bring 25 city boys from a boarding school in Sydney to hay for a week's learning about not just about agriculture, but about living in a small community and what's available there. And I thought, you know, one day I said to the boys, I said, so you're keen to do AG? Is that why you're here? They went on mum and dad just to come. So they were utopians. It was the year that they stopped the school certificate and they, the school wanted them to go into an experience. So I just sort of set up this week with them. They caught the bus down and it was funny. I had talking to parents so it's all the communication with the parents, which I was like, Oh, I thought it would be with the kids but they sent the kids on the bus and they like are 12 hours on a bus is sure they're gonna be okay. And I went yeah, yeah, yeah, kids do it all the time. So we had a bushfire they ended up that he had an old boarding hostel. So it was cool. all set up and people were still shut down not as hostile anymore, but the facilities were there. So that was great. They all stay there. And the feedback was amazing. We had, you know, parents sending letters saying, they talked about the chocolate cake they ate on the riverbank, too. And I just thought these young boys could be our future Prime Ministers, if they this is one chance that they get to learn about where their food comes from, what happens in our paddocks, what the weeds are what happens in our shearing sheds, and took them to another one teacher school, you never know where it could lead. And where it has led is that I was sitting at the pool with them one afternoon, because we took them to the local free pool in hay, which is great. And one of the local sand assignments was sitting there and it goes to all these kids from and I just told him the story because we need to get these young people back here and Chris Bowman, who is another fantastic sheep classroom, well known, he was the manager of your dissertation and looked after so many jackers for a very long time and jewelry. So he got involved, too. So we all then just started talking about it, how we could get young people back into our hay community and how important it is. And so we would just set up a bit of a community meeting. And Chris and Sandy read a great letter, which I sent out to all our land holders, if anyone was interested in the community and the communities came in and backed it straight from the start, which was fantastic. So we still, you know, it'd be coming into our 10th year. So what we set up with a hands on skills training, but it's not just about the hands on skills and the training, it's about the people in the community. So it's networking and mentoring. But it gets it's a bit about the humans, Ollie, which is what you're all about. And which may is a huge point of difference because I get calls from parents or young young girls tidings who came from Tassie and our second year that we're doing it and what sort of swag should I buy, and just those little information that they might like to know and, and what we can pass on with our people on our committee and an elder volunteer trainers.
Oli Le Lievre 21:53
And today, you're running three different groups throughout the year.
Sandra Ireson 21:57
Now, we just keep it to one, but we do three weeks blocks. So a three one week blocks. So what happens is we have 15 people 18 to 25 years, we do one week in February. In that week, we start off with we so we have some accredited training, which will be toe cow trainers and TAFE. So we use that first day workplace health and safety because we want to keep them all safe from the start. And then some crack straight into the sheep handling. And so some of the accommodation is on farm. So we'll do it out on Wyvern station, a character which is great, they did ship handling out there, and quad bikes and motorbikes and things and then they come back for another week in March. And we've had great support from Australia wall innovation right from the start. And they'll they do it three days shearing school, and we do working dog training, which is really popular. And then stuff like you know, small insurance motorbikes how to, you know, maintain those. And then they come back again in June and do another week with fencing and sheep classing. And we do land post mortems and cattle handling on that, too. Yeah, and pregnancy scanning and things like that. So it's a great way for a pathway for a young person to find their people. So it's we find straight out of school, or, you know, a couple of years in and they're still sort of struggling to find their way in agriculture and find those networks. And you know, we've had 130 Alumni Now we keep in touch with them so that we can keep, keep sharing them opportunities and stuff and then make friends for life. It's just beautiful. And to see that and, and they connect with so many people in our community and we graduated the Hey, merino sheep show, so they get to meet a lot of industry people there than to see where some of these, these careers are going from some of these young people is so so rewarding. It's just just fantastic.
Oli Le Lievre 23:36
And so 10 years on, do you still find that you've got the same passion that really ignited that flame? Back when you started? We've got
Sandra Ireson 23:43
an amazing committee who have stayed together like and yes, absolutely still got the passion. And because, you know, a lot of volunteer committees are looking for volunteers to be on, you know, boards or whatever. Gosh, I don't have to worry about our community is fantastic. And we were fortunate to receive some government funding the last few years, which has changed my role from a volunteer role to a program managers role, which is great so that I can concentrate on doing Hey, and not having to move to many other side hustles. So, yeah, the passion is still there. And it's about the people, you know that you go through times where you go, Oh, another grant to have to write when I see that, that development of those young people this year, we had quite a few that was straight from cities couple from Melbourne. That Great Aussie rule is great for that Halo play and a couple of boys that were Jack ruing out of character great for the whole cutters. So straight out of school too, but just to see their development is when they start out not you know, being pretty green, which is understandable. But the great thing about the program is that we also have, you know, 18 to 25 year olds, so you might have some ones that have been in the industry a bit longer, and they learn from each other as well. So, so having that age group is great. We did start with younger ones. I do get a lot of interest from other parents wanting you know, 1516 year olds don't want to be at school want to be an egg What can they do? But, yeah, just when you've got aims and under ideas together in a social aspect, it can be a bit tricky. So being, you know, volunteer community, we've found that works better if they're over 18. So
Oli Le Lievre 25:11
And what about for you, Sandra, what have you got out of being involved in these different areas, these different things and initiatives and community groups,
Sandra Ireson 25:19
I just think the friendships the skills like I've learned so much, got, I'm doing a podcast today where, like, I've learned and I've made so many networks. The other thing that was really rewarding for me was when the AC T New South Wales agrifutures Rural Women's Award for the Hague project in 2017. And that really put us on the map to along with some publicity from ABC landline as well. And just the network's I remember always looking at that, what was the real reward then, and then it changed to agrifutures that year, and looking at that, the loom night, and I'd like to be one of those ladies, what I was just a little thing in the back of my mind, I'd love to be part of that alumina, I'd like to be able to connect with those women, and just was so excited to be a finalist, and we were in Sydney. And then Matt came up, he left his carving heifers, which is very unusual for him. And to be awarded it, I, he goes, I don't think you're going to win it. And so that was a huge experience for me, and just great for hate to get so much recognition to and help. And, you know, that was back in 2017. Again, who knew that, you know, and even when we started that, you know, workforce and young people and finding a pathway for them and career in agriculture was so important to me back then. And and you know, there's still now so yeah, it was it was such an honor to receive that award and to then be able to put it into a document and call it engage AG. So because what happened was I get a lot of people calling me going. So how do you do haying? How do you set it up? How do you run it? Okay, oh, it's all in my head. We've got awesome community, great volunteers and great people that had drive it as well, Sandy and Chris and Richard cannon, and but how can I pass that on? So that really helped me put it into a document and now I, you know, I can have those conversations with other communities that do want to set one up? That's similar. I haven't seen anything that's exactly like us. But every community is different. So they sort of morphed into what works for them. So it's good to see when it's replicated
Oli Le Lievre 27:21
and benefits them, doesn't it if it's created local for local outcome benefits, really the way that they're doing it, they're not just trying to merely create like a franchise and a playbook.
Sandra Ireson 27:32
Yeah. And do you see a career start now that the National Farmers Federation are rolling out, which is going really well, and one of the girls who runs that is on our committee, too. So she's putting the hay districts. So it was great, because when I got the award, I went to some workshops on that and sort of passed on a lot of knowledge about what we did and what worked and what didn't. And to see that program now is really rewarding, too, because it's like, we couldn't do it. We're just a group of volunteers and run in our community. But when you can see other other businesses and had been replicated is great.
Oli Le Lievre 28:03
Absolutely. Now, you will have been involved in a few, let's call them professional development programs, obviously, Rural Women's Awards, but also the red made ambassadors. So that was one, which I guess you've done a little bit more recently. What was it that got you to throw your hat in the ring for that? And what was it that interested you around that?
Sandra Ireson 28:21
I think I saw it advertised. And I saw that there was training and give professional development, it's sort of I try and find bits and pieces. I remember, years ago, I did an online Twitter training course it was small business and I used a lot of Twitter early on. In it, I had found that really great for connecting with media and I thought I really do need to learn a few more of these up to date social skills, and I just thought what a great idea back to that live export thing, you know, educating people where our food comes from being so important. So I was so excited to be accepted into the program. And gosh, it was just at the front the first few minutes of just the information they were sharing about the statistics on talking to the consumer and what I was just loving that I think I'm kind of a marketing kind of person that really liked them all that stats on you know what, you know, what they are thinking when they're buying something in the supermarket and although that surveys they do with the information they get back but also being in that room with industries like right from the food, handling the food processing people, to the chefs to producers like myself having us all in the one room and getting getting that feedback and and then learning how on that program learning how to communicate effectively with people and to tell your story. So yeah, it was really it was a great two days and just the network's I've made from that, you know, we've kept in touch and we have a closed group Facebook group now to share knowledge and skills and I think it gave me confidence that if I do share something, I have the backing and I have the understanding and know how to do it because it can be a bit confronting on social media. You know if you do say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing and having that understanding of what's the right way to do it, and the you know, the respectful way to do it, too. So social media can be a pretty nasty place at times. So, and we don't want to beg other people either. So I think trying to get to that emotional level in a, in a communications way, and sharing what I do. So what I took from the red meat ambassador program, as I was so motivated, when I got out of it, that I set up within a week, a Facebook page and social media called livestock live. So just sharing what we do, I haven't got a huge amount of followers, but I'm getting there and I probably need to put a bit more up but just sharing what we do and how we do it and having some photos and, and things like that, just as another way of putting it out there. And then I was also through the red meat ambassador program able to go to the Sydney show for one day and and have a day on this stand. And that was great talking to the general public about food and maize, red meat and how they you know, understand understanding of it. And, and then also talking about careers too, because there was young people coming through, which was great to, to pass on some knowledge there. So that was really rewarding too, because I thought, wow, you know, I am producing the red meat for these beaut families that live in the cities that don't get to experience what, why I'm so lucky to eat, you know, I had all my own projects. So it's sort of, you know, you're thinking you're doing a pretty special thing when you're growing food for people because keeping them alive. And it's such a big part of our world, but we need to keep, you know, keep people fed. So that was a really light bulb moment for me at the show to you know, just the number of people coming through from the cities, and was great to see so many school teachers coming through there to actually. And then the other thing I have been able to do with the program, too is the MLA do a farm Talk series with schools through education and platform. So it's a zoom into the classroom. So I have been farmer Sandra, and I taught to Kinder year one, two, so I've done a couple of days doing that, which we just started sending a lot of photos and videos and the program, they put it together a slide and we discuss some of those key points about sort of safety, but keeping it at that kinder, you want to you have to make it very understanding for that age group. So I've got
Oli Le Lievre 32:20
the kids can be pretty funny. What have been some of the good questions, or Oh, yes, you've got in the classroom.
Sandra Ireson 32:26
We've had some funny ones. Kevin, I got a quick one was like, how many teeth does sheep have? And I'm like, Oh, I just have to count the number. How many? How many teeth of sheep? No, it's 32. Because you've got the ones that the back is everyone thinks that the little foreground. And then there's the 32 I was counting. I think I said 28. So it's actually 21. So then you could say, you know, you think it to 246? And then I started going oh, yeah, then there's the. So there are Yeah, just things like how long have their legs, then there's a big question about poo, and renewer. Which is great, because we can then discuss how that breaks down. And it's great for our environment and our soils and bring that part into the conversation too. But yeah, I have a great video of a half of that's just sort of calf and She's licking the calf and they sort of she eating it and explaining that it's you know, like when you have a bath and mum or dad or you know, parent gives you and rubs a towel over you and makes you open and steady. So keeping that at that age group. But yeah, it's hard because you're talking to a screen and you don't see the kids. But there is the kibble in education lady who asked the questions and things and we go through our slides, and I bring my family involvement into it and show photos of my children planting saltbush, which is now you know, as high as the cattle and the cattle eating it. So it's a great to show that you know, what we've done with our environment, then planting of species of plants. So hopefully, the teachers and the children take that home to their parents. And it's hard because you don't want to go too much into, okay, this is how the red meat gets on your plate, that that age group. But you know, we can keep it as positive and give them an understanding as much as we can. So yeah, it's been a great experience. And so I'm so fortunate to that red meat ambassador program. And if anyone else wants to apply, now's the time, I think it's really, really rewarding. And it's just yeah, it's opened a whole new network to me as well, which is great.
Oli Le Lievre 34:28
So I've got a couple of questions. One that I think while we're on the theme of schools that ask everyone that comes on the podcast, but if you have the chance to go and chat to your 10 students about a career in agriculture, what would be your message to them?
Sandra Ireson 34:41
I'd say to them. Agriculture is such an amazing career that you can be part of you don't have to have grown up on a farm. If you eat meat and you were close, you're part of agriculture right from the start because it has to all come from somewhere. And it's also about the people that you can work with and the opportunities that you can be part of a team. And it's so rewarding to what you can to get out of it. So you don't have to have a lot of academic skills. And you may not have to do a lot of writing and things like that you can learn by practical training on a farm with other people. So and from that you can take it wherever you want to do if you want to go to university and take it down that path, but then, you know, there's technology and things like that. So a part of our hiring program. Now we've tried to bring in bits and pieces there, like with our pregnancy, scanning things, and I have a drones that I use on our farm and show them bits like that. So in some of the applications that may people are using now for, for unlike, you know, managing their properties, but yeah, so bringing in, you know, the technology, but also that, I guess, with our hiring program, technology is a great part, then everything's moving ahead in that area, which is great. But people still need to learn those basic livestock handling skills and how to look after animals, and what they need and their needs and their health requirements and their welfare. And and that's sort of a very grassroots sort of training, because then bringing the technology but if you have that basic understanding of managing livestock and handling them in the correct way, you know, animal welfare and the ethically way, then I think all that technology and other support out there can take it further with having that that understanding. Well, I
Oli Le Lievre 36:21
think we're both definitely on the same page. And I think it is there's there's so many opportunities, and the amount of work that you're doing and have done is extraordinary. So thank you for all of that. And thanks for coming on for a bit of a chat today. Senator, it's been great. Well, thank
Sandra Ireson 36:33
you so much all and thanks for sharing your podcast, it's great i You know, it's an hour a bit to town. So I listen to them quite often, and can punch one out, which is we all two or three on the way in and out. So it's great for you sharing these stories to inspire you know other people and get your stories that I've listened to inspire me to so I hear what others are doing and see how I can perhaps put that and bring that into my my pathway. Yeah. And it can be hard the pathway for young people into agriculture. So it is great any stories that you can share so that they can see you happy what you can't see. And I guess another little quote that I always use to motivate me if it's like, if it's not me, then who? And if it's not now then when so that's something that that gets me going
Oli Le Lievre 37:17
there very good words to live by. Well, that's it for another episode from us here at humans of agriculture. We hope you're enjoying these podcasts. And well if you're not, let us know hit us up at Hello at humans of agriculture.com. Get in touch with any guests recommendations topics, or things you'd like us to talk and get curious about. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend. Right subscribe, review it, any feedback is absolutely awesome. And we really do welcome it. So look after yourselves. Stay safe. stay sane. We'll see you next time.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai