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Episodes
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Friday Aug 02, 2024
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
Friday Jul 19, 2024
Friday Jul 19, 2024
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
Friday Jul 05, 2024
Friday Jul 05, 2024
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
Friday Jun 21, 2024
Friday Jun 21, 2024
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
Friday Jun 07, 2024
Friday Jun 07, 2024
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.
Friday May 24, 2024
Friday May 24, 2024
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 TeamP.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.
Friday May 10, 2024
Friday May 10, 2024
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
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
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 back story 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.
Hutch & the Farm Owners Academy Team
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
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
Here are the show notes for the podcast episode:
Sarah Crosthwaite, a mental health social worker and dairy farmer, shares her journey and passion for supporting the wellbeing of farming communities. As a Nuffield scholar, she is researching how financial stress, climate variability, and government policies impact the mental health of farmers and their families.
Sarah reflects on her transition from dairy farming to social work, driven by her interest in understanding human development, trauma, and the power of listening without judgment. She discusses the rewarding yet challenging experience of supporting farmers during the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, emphasizing the need to focus on people's strengths rather than just promoting resilience.
Through her Nuffield project, Sarah aims to explore how other countries address mental health challenges in agriculture and uncover best practices to improve support for Australian farmers and rural communities. She shares insights into the rigorous application process, the supportive Nuffield network, and her research focusing on key themes like financial stress, unpredictable weather, and regulatory changes.
Sarah also discusses the importance of financial literacy for farmers, as those with better understanding are better equipped to navigate stressful events. She is working to synthesize her findings and present a report to share insights on enhancing mental health support and financial education for the agricultural sector.
The 3 key learnings that are likely surprising to the reader are:
Sarah Crosthwaite, a mental health social worker, is also a dairy farmer, highlighting the unique challenges and perspectives she brings to her research.
She is advocating for sustainable practices and holistic approaches to mental health care, rather than just traditional methods.
She has launched a counseling service specifically tailored for rural communities, recognizing the unique needs and challenges faced by farmers and rural Australians.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Exploring Farming Family Resilience
00:05:16 - From Dairy Farm to Social Work: Sarah's Journey
00:10:07 - Exploring Mental Wellbeing Support for Farmers
00:14:26 - Exploring Agriculture Through Nuffield Scholarship
00:18:28 - The Nuffield Network: A Supportive Family for Farmers
00:25:13 - Improving Financial Literacy for Farmers
00:32:48 - Overcoming Barriers to Strategic Farming
00:37:25 - Adapting to Technology for Mental Health Support in Rural Communities
00:43:01 - Addressing Concerns with Compassion
00:45:07 - Overcoming the Fear of Reaching Out for Support
00:50:10 - Persevere Through Challenges: Overcoming Dyslexia and Achieving Dreams
Summary:
Sarah Crosthwaite, a mental health social worker and dairy farmer, has committed to a Nuffield scholarship to research the impact of financial stress, climate variability, and government intervention on the mental health and well-being of farming families. As a farmer representative on the National Centre for Farmer Health Advisory Board, Sarah advocates for sustainable practices and holistic approaches to mental health care. She has recently launched her own counseling service tailored specifically for farmers, their families, and farm workers, aiming to bridge the gap between mental health support and rural communities. Sarah, a social worker and counselor, shares how she transitioned from a dairy farm background to pursuing a career in social work. She found her passion in understanding human development, trauma, and the importance of listening to people's stories without judgment. Sarah reflects on the rewarding yet challenging experience of supporting farming communities during the 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia, highlighting the resilience and strength of these individuals. She emphasizes the need to focus on people's abilities and strengths rather than just telling them to be more resilient. Sarah's interest in research and a Nuffield project stemmed from her desire to better understand the wider community's perceptions of farmers and their experiences. Sarah, a healthcare professional, was curious about the availability of mental health services for farmers and rural communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She felt there was support available, but wondered if people were not reaching out or if the services were not being promoted well enough. Intrigued by this, Sarah applied for the prestigious Nuffield Scholarship, which will allow her to travel internationally and explore how other countries are addressing mental health challenges in agriculture. Her goal is to uncover insights and best practices that can be applied to improve mental wellbeing support for farmers and rural Australians. Sarah, a Nuffield Scholar, shares her experiences navigating the rigorous application process, which involved state and national interviews, networking with other scholars, and attending conferences. She highlights the supportive Nuffield network, which has provided her with opportunities to travel and conduct research on her topic of mental health and wellbeing in farming communities. Despite the initial challenge of feeling responsible for solving the mental health crisis in regional Australia, Sarah has focused her research on key themes such as financial stress, unpredictable weather, and changes in government regulations, and their impact on farmers. The Nuffield program has been a transformative experience, allowing Sarah to build connections, explore new perspectives, and pursue her research goals. The speaker discusses their research into the connections between mental health, financial literacy, and supporting farmers. They have been interviewing a range of people to understand the major issues and ways to address the accumulated stress that can arise from financial situations or changes in rules and regulations. The speaker highlights the importance of financial literacy, noting that many farmers lack a strong understanding of their business finances. They've found that farmers with better financial literacy are better equipped to respond to stressful events in a more positive way, as they have the knowledge and plans in place to navigate challenges. The speaker is now working to synthesize their findings into a report to be presented at an upcoming conference. The speakers discuss the importance of financial literacy and support for farmers, particularly in New Zealand and Australia. They note that while some farmers struggle with financial management, there are initiatives underway to provide education and one-on-one assistance to help them better understand their finances and make more informed decisions. The speakers emphasize the need to continue addressing this challenge, as improved financial literacy can lead to better relationships, less stress, and more successful farming operations. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing the practical and strategic aspects of farm management. While bookkeeping and compliance tasks are necessary, the speakers suggest that farmers should delegate these to specialists, allowing them to focus on higher-value activities like budgeting, benchmarking, and strategic decision-making. This can help farmers develop their leadership skills and move their businesses forward. Additionally, the speakers acknowledge the need to support farmers' mental health, noting that while awareness has improved, the delivery of mental health services in rural communities remains a challenge that requires further attention. The speakers discuss the challenges of accessing mental health services in regional and rural communities, where there is often a lack of consistent healthcare providers and limited local resources. They highlight the potential of telehealth and technology to improve access, but acknowledge that barriers still exist, especially for those with poor connectivity. The speakers emphasize the importance of promoting and raising awareness of the mental health services that are available in local communities, tailored to the unique needs and experiences of farmers and rural residents. Overall, the discussion focuses on finding innovative ways to better support the mental health and wellbeing of people living in regional and rural areas. The speakers emphasize the critical importance of supporting the people who work in the agriculture industry, as they are the industry's most valuable asset. They note that while technology and mechanization can help, human labor and expertise are essential for the industry to thrive. The speakers encourage more collaboration and open dialogue across the agriculture sector to better support farmers, farm workers, and others, as this will benefit the entire industry and the country as a whole. They also provide advice for individuals who may be struggling, encouraging them to reach out for help and support, even if it's difficult to do so within their immediate circle. Sarah, a guest on the podcast, shares her inspiring story of overcoming dyslexia to pursue challenging research work. Despite the difficulties, she has embraced her learning difference as a strength, finding great reward in pushing herself to achieve her goals. Sarah encourages others with learning challenges to not let them hold them back, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and the sense of accomplishment that comes from facing and overcoming obstacles. The host expresses admiration for Sarah's commitment and looks forward to discussing the key insights from her research project in the future. Sarah Crosswhite, a pioneering researcher, discusses the critical issue of mental health and well-being among farmers. The podcast explores how financial stress, climatic variability, and government regulations impact the lives of farmers. Sarah's work aims to provide valuable insights and support to this essential community, and the host looks forward to a follow-up discussion to share key takeaways from the ongoing research. The episode encourages listeners to engage with the Profitable Farmer podcast and community to continue the important conversation around supporting the mental health and success of farmers.
Thursday Mar 28, 2024
Thursday Mar 28, 2024
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