Humans of Agriculture

Derek Peterson has had a colorful career.He's found himself at the head of ROAM, an agriculture tech company trying to solve the problem of methane emissions. But he didn't get there following the 'traditional path.' In this chat we cover his career so far, from  working on Wall Street to becoming a visionary entrepreneur whose journey expertise bridge traditional agriculture, finance, and the  emerging industry of  — medicinal cannabis.In this episode of Humans of Agriculture, we dive into the intersection between innovation, agriculture, and public perception, revealing the foresight needed to build a business in uncharted territory.Chapters00:00 Derek Peterson's Unique Career Path03:02 Insights from Evoke Ag Conference05:46 Transition from Finance to Cannabis11:59 Challenges of Going Public in Cannabis18:08 Exploring Methane Reduction in Agriculture24:08 Consumer Acceptance and Product Development30:00 Future Careers in Agriculture Links & Resources:ROAM – Derek’s companyConnect with Derek Peterson on LinkedInMore episodes at Humans of Agriculture EvokeAG 2026:I'm excited to be one of the MC's for evokeAG in 2026. This event is unlike any other in Aussie agriculture and brings together the brightest minds from across the AgriFood ecosystem focused on solutions to some of our planets biggest challenges. Get your tickets at evokeAG.com

When I got a chance to head to evokeAg this year, I heard Jocie Bate speaking and thought to myself, we need to get her on the podcast!  I came across an extraordinary character whose ideas may just revolutionise the future of agriculture. "It's amazing how quickly the sector is evolving," says Jocie Bate on her mission to fully automate the paddock with robotics.Jocie Bate and her husband, Andrew, founded SwarmFarm Robotics, a pioneering agtech business transforming how we think about farming systems. From growing up on her families grazing property in rural Queensland to co-founding one of Australia's leading ag robotics startups, Jocie shares her journey through finance, family farming, and the bold leap into agricultural innovation. The conversation explores the dynamic of family partnerships, women in agriculture, bootstrapping a startup, and what the future of farming could look like. Chapter00:00 Exploring Modern Agriculture03:07 The Journey of Swarm Farm05:47 Building Strong Partnerships in Agriculture09:09 Innovations in Farming Technology12:08 The Evolution of Swarm Farm14:50 Navigating Funding and Growth18:06 The Future of Agriculture and Robotics20:47 Lessons Learned and Personal Growth23:55 The Role of Technology in Agriculture26:45 Engaging the Next Generation in Ag TechConnect with SwarmFarm:Website: swarmfarm.comInstagram: SwarmFarm IGYoutube: SwarmFarmFollow Humans of Agriculture on Instagram & LinkedInSubscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! EvokeAG 2026:I'm excited to be one of the MC's for evokeAG in 2026. This event is unlike any other in Aussie agriculture and brings together the brightest minds from across the AgriFood ecosystem focused on solutions to some of our planets biggest challenges. Get your tickets at evokeAG.com

“If we don’t get it right, the opportunity will be given to people post the farm gate. And it’ll happen to farmers again.”Hugh Killen's CV is incredibly impressive, he's spent decades working across the globe in finance and markets, before returning home to work in aussie agriculture.In this chat, we explore Hugh's time in finance, his time leading publicly listed iconic Australian Ag companies, and his mission today at the helm of Impact Ag Australia to help Aussie farmers seize the opportunity in natural capital and regenerative ag systems.  What we cover:00:00 From Farming Roots to Finance03:12 Navigating the Agricultural Landscape05:57 The Value Chain of Agriculture08:53 Resilience in Leadership11:52 Building a Supportive Team14:58 Impact Ag Australia: A New Venture17:48 Defining Regenerative Agriculture21:27 Understanding Soil Health in Regenerative Agriculture25:04 The Risks and Rewards of Soil Carbon Projects27:00 Navigating the Complexities of Carbon Markets30:00 The Future of Agriculture: Transitioning to Regenerative Practices39:00 The Role of Policy and Consumer Awareness in Agriculture40:49 The Importance of Farmer Empowerment and EducationLinks & Resources:Connect with Hugh Killen on LinkedInFollow Humans of Agriculture on InstagramIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at hello@humansofagriculture.com. Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review! EvokeAG 2026:I'm excited to be one of the MC's for evokeAG in 2026. This event is unlike any other in Aussie agriculture and brings together the brightest minds from across the AgriFood ecosystem focused on solutions to some of our planets biggest challenges. Get your tickets at evokeAG.com

Tess Cook grew up on her families beef property in Queensland. When she was on stage at evokeAG, she mentioned the challenge and lack of understanding of different career pathways in Ag. Now this is so interesting because it’s being talked about a lot, but talking isn’t solving much - we want to know more to see what we can do! Tess recently moved to Matamata, New Zealand, to begin her career as a vet and we can’t wait to follow her career! 00:00 Tess Cook's Journey to Veterinary Medicine10:08 Challenges in Agricultural Career Pathways16:58 The Future of Agriculture and Workforce SolutionsResources & Contact:Learn more about the Horizon Scholarship and how it supports young people in agriculture.Stay updated with evokeAG and similar industry events.Follow Humans of Agriculture for more inspiring stories from the industry.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and let us know your thoughts at hello@humansofagriculture.com. Don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review! EvokeAG 2026:I'm excited to be one of the MC's for evokeAG in 2026. This event is unlike any other in Aussie agriculture and brings together the brightest minds from across the AgriFood ecosystem focused on solutions to some of our planets biggest challenges. Get your tickets at evokeAG.com

We’re sitting down with Lauren Roellgen this week. She wears a few different hats including aa an Associate Director at LAWD, a farmer-in-training on her family farm, and the Chair of the Future Farmers Network. She shares her family’s inspiring journey from Germany to Australia, how they built a successful cotton farming enterprise, and the modern challenges of succession planning, sustainability, and innovation in agriculture.In this episode, you will hear:- Lauren's family journey from Germany to Australia- The Evolution of Tyuna Farming- Her parents becoming Cotton Growers of the Year- Lauren's Career in Agribusiness & the Decision to Return Home- Succession Planning & The Future of Australian Cotton- The Future Farmers Network & Supporting Young People in Ag- Balancing Multiple Roles in AgricultureTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to Lauren03:06 The Family Farm and Its Legacy05:51 Transitioning Back to Farming08:48 Career Path and Professional Experience11:52 The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture15:04 The Impact of Succession Planning18:12 Recognition and Achievements in Cotton Farming21:07 Sustainability and Innovation in Agriculture23:45 Future Farmers Network and Its Evolution27:03 Balancing Multiple Roles in Agriculture30:04 Advice for Future Generations in AgricultureThis episode is in paid partnership with Cotton Australia. Humans of Agriculture retains editorial control of the content. 📢 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend, leave a review, and let us know your thoughts at hello@humansofagriculture.com!  EvokeAG 2026:I'm excited to be one of the MC's for evokeAG in 2026. This event is unlike any other in Aussie agriculture and brings together the brightest minds from across the AgriFood ecosystem focused on solutions to some of our planets biggest challenges. Get your tickets at evokeAG.com

EvokeAg is one of the premier events for agrifood tech and innovation, and this year’s edition in Brisbane took things to a new level. In this episode, Oli catches up with Harriet Mellish, General Manager at AgriFutures Australia, to unpack what went into making EvokeAg 2025 a success, the evolving conversations in the agri-tech space, and how the event itself operates like a startup—iterating and improving each year.In this episode, you will hear about:- EvokeAg as a Startup - What Worked in 2025 - Emerging Themes & Industry Conversations - Engaging the Next Generation - What’s Next for EvokeAg?Chapters:00:00 Post-Event Reflections and Planning Ahead02:46 Feedback and Innovations from EvokeAg 202505:50 Engaging the Next Generation in Agriculture08:53 The Role of EvokeAG in the Agricultural Ecosystem12:05 Evolving Conversations in Agriculture15:04 Looking Ahead: Future Trends and InnovationsFollow Humans of Agriculture on Instagram & LinkedInSubscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! EvokeAG 2026:I'm excited to be one of the MC's for evokeAG in 2026. This event is unlike any other in Aussie agriculture and brings together the brightest minds from across the AgriFood ecosystem focused on solutions to some of our planets biggest challenges. Get your tickets at evokeAG.com

Liz Stott, a cotton grower and Deputy Chair of Cotton Australia, shares her expertise on sustainable innovations in the cotton industry. She highlights educational initiatives like Camp Cotton that connect farmers with consumers. Jim Gall, CEO of RB Sellars, discusses the brand’s shift towards incorporating Australian-grown cotton into their garments, emphasizing the importance of sustainability. They also dive into the power of storytelling in agriculture, aiming to enhance brand integrity and consumer confidence in local farming practices.

I first met Ed Currenti in the sheep yards at Mount Hesse, over more than 15 years we've stayed in touch and followed each others journeys closely.Ed is the General Manager at Prestige Foods, in our chat he shares his journey from a city upbringing to a successful career in agriculture and food production. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the role of education in understanding food sources, and the innovative practices at Prestige Foods. The conversation highlights the significance of building relationships within the industry, the challenges of managing teams, and the future opportunities in food production. Ed emphasizes the need for better connections between producers and consumers, and the importance of storytelling in the food industry.I've known Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ed Currenti and His Journey03:03 Early Influences and Passion for Food05:37 Education and Career Path Decisions08:54 The Role of Mentorship in Career Development11:40 Transitioning from University to the Workforce14:37 Experiences in Sales and Business Development17:45 Innovative Ideas and Career Opportunities20:54 Management Style and Learning from Experience25:31 Navigating Challenges During COVID-1926:46 Transforming Company Culture29:01 Understanding Prestige Food Australia30:20 The Rise of Bone Broth31:59 Collaboration with Chef James Viles34:06 Bridging the Gap in the Food Chain35:16 Vision for Growth in Food Manufacturing36:10 Creating Links Between Producers and Consumers38:48 Innovative R&D Strategies39:55 Promoting Career Pathways in Agriculture43:55 Educating the Next Generation on Food Sources EvokeAG 2026:I'm excited to be one of the MC's for evokeAG in 2026. This event is unlike any other in Aussie agriculture and brings together the brightest minds from across the AgriFood ecosystem focused on solutions to some of our planets biggest challenges. Get your tickets at evokeAG.com

Joining us from his ute on top of a hill during a busy week of shearing is the 2025 Zanda McDonald Award winner from Australia, Jack O'Connor. Jacko is the General Manager at his family mixed farming operation, Oxton Park. His career has seen him working on farms in developing countries such as Uganda, in the Head Office for Meat and Livestock Australia and now back home in Harden, NSW.In this chat we cover;The moment he found out he won the award from the shearing shedreflecting on his life-changing experiences in Uganda The pride he has in the family businessThe community of Harden and the role of sport in the local community.Jack also mentions - The Schools for Life project and the Manjeri School Project. EvokeAG 2026:I'm excited to be one of the MC's for evokeAG in 2026. This event is unlike any other in Aussie agriculture and brings together the brightest minds from across the AgriFood ecosystem focused on solutions to some of our planets biggest challenges. Get your tickets at evokeAG.com

Maegen Blom is the Operations Manager within her family owned business Mills Bay Mussels. She is the 2025 Zanda McDonald Award winner from New Zealand, so we thought we would love to get to know a bit more about her and share it with you! We cover: How she found out that she'd won, a bit more about the vertically integrated business selling direct to businesses and households, her role and passion for supporting and promoting the aquaculture industry in New Zealand and what the year ahead has in store. EvokeAG 2026:I'm excited to be one of the MC's for evokeAG in 2026. This event is unlike any other in Aussie agriculture and brings together the brightest minds from across the AgriFood ecosystem focused on solutions to some of our planets biggest challenges. Get your tickets at evokeAG.com