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Welcome to Humans of Agriculture. This podcast series is dedicated to discovering more about our food system, from the people involved in it.
Along the journey we'll be meeting people from all walks of life from Australia and from afar. Join us as we find out how our communities and our culture shape what we eat, and ultimately who we are.
More people, More often, Identifying with Agriculture
Oli Le Lievre 0:10
Welcome back to the humans of agriculture podcast. And it's a little bit different this time we're over in WA here for vocab obviously. And merely I feel like I'm a bit of an imposter here, because you've had far more to do with the people we're chatting to over the next few days. And I have, and it's been going on for what, six or so months?
Unknown Speaker 0:26
Yeah, a bit less than six months, I'd
Oli Le Lievre 0:28
say, tell me about Who have we got well set the scene who are our guests and kind of what are we chatting to them about and why? Well, we're
Speaker 1 0:34
here at a vocab in Perth, and the people that we're speaking to the future young leaders, which is a programme where we have these young individuals who have ideas, and they've been on stage they've already presented and we're here to hear more about what they've been doing the past six months or so since we've actually spoken to them. So this is Natalie bow. And welcome to the podcast, Natalie. Natalie, I think what really stood out to me when we spoke all those months ago, at the very beginning of your journey, as a future young leader, you're telling me about your journey and and how you grew up. But what those initial impacts of the programme was that you were able to really join those dots and have that moment where you go, Well, this is what's led me to where I am today, which I thought was really great. And I'm really keen to hear more about that journey. But can you tell us what happened after that in the future young leaders programme? And how has it shaped up into this point of presenting earlier today?
Unknown Speaker 1:30
Yeah, so I think one of the key things we've learned is how to really authentically tell our story. And now having done it so many times in rehearsals just with each other, it really emanates out into other areas of your life. And I know definitely in my case, I found myself being probably more honest than I ever have been justing other conversations. So the skills that you learn in this future young leaders programme are so relevant to every other aspect of your life, which is why it's such a huge opportunity.
Oli Le Lievre 1:59
So our listeners, probably lots of them haven't heard of you before, which is really good. We've done a couple of little write ups and things on you. But you spoke about it today on stage. You spoke about it when you initially spoke with Milly. And there was a real pivotal moment for you in high school that agriculture kind of came into your life. So can you tell us like in a nutshell? How did it come about? And what was the influence in it that you ultimately decided you wanted to stay in this industry? Yes.
Unknown Speaker 2:25
So in year 11, I started showing cattle in high school in Sydney. So no ag background at all. And it was my very first exposure to agriculture. And it was just such an inclusive environment. Everyone was so passionate, and to be exposed to that having no experience whatsoever. It was eye opening, but it was also really encouraging to feel like you could be part of something, having no skills in it at all. So yeah, I fell in love with it. The livestock that we had at school were great. And that's what led me to do Ag Science at uni, again in Sydney. And yeah, yeah, jump into it from there.
Oli Le Lievre 3:01
So I've got a couple of questions. And so I actually grew up in Sydney. I don't know. But a Sydney boy, how have you gone with that introduction to the industry when people say, whereabouts are you from? Obviously these days? You from Holbrook? Correct? Is that your default? Or do you still think back? Actually, I'm that kid from Sydney that fell in into egg?
Unknown Speaker 3:18
Yeah, I think Holbrook is my default purely because the journey so far has been so huge. It's almost like a new part of who I am. But absolutely no shame in talking about being from Sydney now definitely wasn't the case. When you're, I think coming out of the city, you have a bit of an imposter syndrome and thinking you don't know enough? Am I going to be good at this? I don't really know how to relate to these people. But it's all about finding the right people. I think it's really daunting to go into that industry with no background. But there are so many people in it that are willing to give you a chance and take you under their wing, that you kind of need to just forget about feeling like you have no idea what's going on. And just throw yourself into it. It is easier said than done. But once you do it, the opportunities are just endless.
Oli Le Lievre 4:07
And mil I'll handle the you here in a second because we can start to talk about it. Okay. But was that something that Bryce and others in the room kind of got you guys talking about dropping that guard and going? This is who I am. This is my story. 100%?
Unknown Speaker 4:17
Yeah, Bryce really taught us that our story is a gift to people because it's unique. No one's heard it before. And everyone has their own so you can tell yours and someone else can return the favour. So if you're going to tell someone your story, why tell someone something that's not truly you because then you're missing out on the chance to to have that gift sharing together.
Speaker 1 4:41
I'm sorry. I spoke to you at the very beginning of your journey as a future young leader. And you were telling me even then, like you'd only had a couple of meetings with the group with Bryce Ives and mentor and facilitator and you were already sharing that. But how did the rest of the programme unfold to lead you to this point out of okay, Today,
Unknown Speaker 5:00
I think it just gave you the confidence to do it more often, for starters, and just the delivery of it. I think we will all still second guessing ourselves pretty early on. But by the end of it, it's it's I guess you've used that muscle so many times that now it's almost default to just show up to whoever you're talking to.
Speaker 1 5:18
And what about like your your network that's still in, in Sydney? Like, is that has it changed? How you communicating with them as well?
Unknown Speaker 5:25
Yeah, 100%, I love the chance to teach people about AG, I get lots of questions every time I go back about what exactly it is I do and, and where I live now and what's going on. So I think it's great to have that chance. And also for those people to be showing an interest because that's how it starts you. You have a story to tell. But someone also has to give you the time until listen. So there are so many people like that on both sides. I think I think the rural country, and the city divide is a thing of the past. And I think the information sharing is becoming so much more prevalent, which is, yeah, it's really inspiring to me as someone from Sydney, and I'm sure, Ali, you feel the same as that. Now people actually want to hear about each other's stories.
Oli Le Lievre 6:09
Totally. And I think that like for you this specific topic that you're looking at, in and around plastic baits like it's so I guess relatable for everyone. No one wants to, I guess just be involved in single use plastic. How did that like aha moment? Come in for that? You're working on farm? And then this, you saw plastic ear tags? Or did it start kind of higher up than that? Yeah,
Unknown Speaker 6:30
so it was in a previous role. I was working in pork industry and managing an account, I'm dealing with this major supermarkets and they would ask us what we were doing in terms of sustainability. Because obviously, it's extremely important to their customers. And as it should be. So there was pressure off I guess from the consumer end. But then also there's pressure being a producer and having these new rules and legislations coming in around being sustainable and reporting on it. And the very ambitious goals about 2030 and 2050. So that was kind of pressure from both ends, but no solution or no ability to start. So I assume that's yeah, I guess I kind of saw that and and just wanting to be someone who could actually help give a leg up and and start somewhere.
Speaker 1 7:16
But how does that starting somewhere like actually work and what has really honed in your focus on farm plastics, and that recycling, I guess, facilitating that through to another product,
Unknown Speaker 7:26
I think it's very visible. Other plastics that are like large in size, you can see them in paddocks. But also, it's relatable, as you said, people in cities have that issue to the spotlight on the red tackle collapse was great in terms of raising people's awareness, that it that it is an issue, and it's transcendent across both types of communities. So yeah, it's it's relatable. And a lot of people can see that it needs something to be done about it. You
Oli Le Lievre 7:52
know, like, it's so interesting about this, and, and it's like they say, Never waste a good crisis, but it is the redcycle thing. And what happened like it was there's so much outrage, but then so quickly, as well, like until you've mentioned it, I'll say like I forgot about it, like, how are you keeping the momentum, you're still working full time, this is very much still a passion project at this stage. How do you keep that momentum and that energy? Alongside I guess, life as well?
Unknown Speaker 8:16
Yes, hard,
Unknown Speaker 8:17
I won't lie, it is extremely hard. I think you've just got to set some clear goals for yourself, I can definitely be better at that. So again, easier said than done. But it's just about planning, especially for me short term planning. So when you're trying to juggle a nine to five, as well as a side hustle, being really thoughtful about where you want to take the project is important. And that's where our vocab has just been incredible for that giving you the next leg up on such a huge scale in such a short time. Yeah, it's an efficient way to grow a passion project for sure. Totally, what are the goals. Um, so I really want to partner with industry to roll out the platform. So not necessarily partnering with one, one business or one group, I really want to keep it open to a lot of people in the livestock industry. So we need funding to create the platform, the digital platform, and then I need partnerships with those businesses to roll it out and actually give it a go.
Speaker 1 9:12
And I think when you spoke to me, you were when I asked you what success looks like, like you were saying that it needs to be that accelerator for you. And so, I guess like, are you what people have you got around you? And now like is that sort of network of future young leaders going beyond you meeting people? Have you already had conversations today? Yeah, for
Unknown Speaker 9:32
sure. I'm very lucky. The Holbrook community is very innovative. So it's great to have that kind of vibe around me at home. But a voc has been amazing for connecting me with people and there's been a quite a few people that have come up to me and even just validated the concept and and saying that they agree with it. And it's it is an issue. It kind of gives you that motivation to keep going and even into other industries. So I had a conversation with a guy from the shape industry so shaping wall and wall wasn't necessarily least something I had focused on before now. So, yeah, it's really, I guess, promising to say that other industries are also looking at the concept as being relevant for them and approaching me, which is great.
Oli Le Lievre 10:11
Do you think like, would you? And I don't know if there's right or wrong answer, and it says it's hypothesis, if your employer is listening, like, Would you leave agriculture for a period of time to, I guess, really get into the nitty gritty of plastic and recycling waste and things like that, to then go? Like, I'm really passionate about AG? How can I learn from others? And then maybe bring it back?
Unknown Speaker 10:29
I don't know if I would. To be honest, I think agriculture is such a part of who I am. I don't think that I could see myself leaving it. I'd love to meld the two together. But I always want to be connected to ag and just say, Bring the plastics people into ag rather than leave and come back. Cool.
Oli Le Lievre 10:48
Well, Natalie, I think it was really cool to see you on stage today. I think it's a bit of a climax after what has been six months for you.
Unknown Speaker 10:56
Yeah, it's huge. The lead up is massive. And definitely, it builds and builds and builds. But now at the event, you can see that all the hard work in the months leading up to it is definitely worth it. And now after it's done, it's just exciting. And you just get to network and share your passion. And everyone here is very accommodating in terms of giving you time and inquiring about what we're doing. So it's awesome.
Oli Le Lievre 11:19
If you were to maybe as a finisher, I don't know if you're allowed to choose favourites. Who was one of the other future young leaders that you saw that project and you decide that's next level. Yeah,
Unknown Speaker 11:31
true. I hate choosing favourites and definitely not a favourite But to answer your question everyone's amazing. But the way that guy Coleman could reduce his concept which was a huge into something that was very relatable in comparing it to Anzac biscuits, AI and Anzac bikies. So, that ability to draw people in by helping them to relate to it, I think was really, really smart. And after just watching his presentation, it definitely landed so good on him. Yeah,
Oli Le Lievre 11:59
it's pretty cool. I love the camaraderie and probably my other favourite part today was in the opening video when you guys are coming on. I'll sit next to them really. And they're just like, Whoa,
Unknown Speaker 12:09
it was Yeah, but they showed our best working dog on that video. That's
Unknown Speaker 12:13
why I was willing.
Oli Le Lievre 12:16
Well, Natalie, thank you so much. Good luck with everything. That's ahead. Thanks. We're looking forward to I guess, keeping our eyes on everything that is hollow egg. Yeah. Awesome. Thank you.
Unknown Speaker 12:24
Thanks so much now. Awesome. Thanks, guys.
Oli Le Lievre 12:28
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