Teaching Future Farmers

The future is with the next generation.

Jim Carroll “It’s your ability to ingest the fast change, the future belongs to those that are fast”

Ready for a few days of action packed learning, networking and fun at CattleCon Orlando Florida !

Technology….a tool to empower, not to be scared of. At the evokeAG conference Animal Health Australia pitched to the entrepreneurs in the room about problems to be solved in the animal and plant health sector.

This is a step in right direction, let’s be on the front foot if these diseases enter Australia that could be catastrophic on the Agriculture industry.

What’s your favourite farming app?

Upskill on biosecurity with new digital tool Do you want to be confident of being able to identify signs of an emergency animal disease in your sheep? Download to your smartphone or iPad a free new app from PIRSA and Animal Health Australia that helps educate you on what to look out for.

What an inspiring day at

As Cathy McGowan Chair of AgriFutures Australia said “Opt into the change we need to see…we all have the right ingredients…change beings and ends with us”.

From space economy 🌝 to nutritional security with a focus on sustainability 🌱 autonomous agriculture 🚜 and feeding a growing a population through collaboration and cooperative initiatives 🥛

Now to inspire some of our young students into these industries and the possibilities👩‍🔬

Over the last few weeks, I have been reminded of the impact teachers, lecturers, role models and mentors can have on a person’s life. ⭐️

This idea of Teaching Future Farmers came about after attending an inspirational week at Marcus Oldham several years ago. I’ve been busy teaching my own little human 👦 the ways of the world, and life got even busier. This week I was asked to say a few words about my career and how I ended up becoming an Ag teacher 👩‍🏫 It really made me reflect on my journey and into a career path I didn’t really have on my radar. One of my uni lecturers was there and we were commenting on how he taught my husband and myself, and then now he’s taught a student of mine who graduated with honours. 📚

It made me realise the impact that certain people can have on your life, and whilst you may not know the true extent of it in the short term, and maybe it was a brief encounter or years worth of mentoring, we all have a role to play in shaping people’s future. 👩🏼‍🌾

With that said, I’m excited to be bringing new content to Teaching Future Farmers with the hope to inspire more people into a career that is ever changing and has endless opportunities. 🚜

🐂Scone steaks its claim on the beef industry 🥩

800 students, 450 cattle, countless schools, teachers, parents, sponsors.....amazing.

After attending the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza in Scone this weekend, it is clear the beef industry is in very good hands.

It was inspiring to see the whole event was focussed on the opportunities for future farmers. From educational workshops 🐂, careers talks👨‍🌾 , junior judging 👩‍⚖️ and handlers classes, the level of professionalism and teamwork was an inspiration.

👩🏼‍🌾Everything starts with WHY❓

Teaching Future Farmers started because I am so privileged to work in a part of the industry that does just that, teaches future farmers.

Why is it something I care so passionatley about❓
There is something deeply satisfying about dealing with the produce of farmers 👨‍🌾, their animals🐂, their fibre🐏, their grains🌾 and there fruit and vegetables🍊... the list goes on. Farmers love, nurture and care for our land and resources and as custodians, they produce the finest ingredients in the world. I could talk forever about the industries and countries where Australia’s produce has graced the tables of all kinds of people.🌏

However thats not my WHY❓

My why is because . I did not grow up in agriculture, I did not inherit a farm or even a horse. I chose agriculture because there is something so primal about people that choose to love their land and their animals. Over the years I have developed a deep and genuine love for agriculture and its people.

But farming is not all tractor rides 🚜 and fat lambs 🐑, farming in Australia is facing some real and tangible challenges. Farmers are getting older and carrying more debt 💰, their facing more unreliable rainfall 🌧, their markets are requiring more information, more clarity, and more quality assurance, and the skills to run a farm are becoming something like chemical engineering👩‍🔬 with a dash of veterinary science and social work and a major in botany. Not to mention its becoming increasingly hard for the current generation to buy a farm or even buy the family farm.👪

So where do I fit in ❓

I have a unique opportunity to facilitate the opportunity for young people to realise the future of farming, by realising they are the future. I all, but throw out the textbooks 📚 and challenge students of all backgrounds to explore, not only what they can do in agriculture, but also what agriculture can do for them.

I am particularly passionate about young woman in agriculture 👩🏼‍🌾 and young people choosing agriculture. Hopefully they can share in some of my learnings and knowledge and go on to be the face of agriculture in this wonderful country of ours.

Just remember every once in a while you need a doctor 👩‍⚕️ , a lawyer 📖 , a preacher and a teacher 👩‍🏫 . But everyday you need a farmer👨‍🌾.

I choose agriculture and I choose to teach future farmers because thats my why. And the best part of all this, is helping young people achieve their dreams.

Emma Phillips

👨‍🌾Everyone should have the opportunity to learn where food and fibre comes from, and the amazing careers available in agriculture.👩🏼‍🌾

Should agriculture be compulsory in our schools? Do school students know enough about agriculture?

🍄Why can't you invite two fungi to a party?

They take up two mushroom.🍄

❓Did you know❓
At Adelaide Mushrooms they aim to produce 30 tonnes per day and are picked at different stages depending on the market requirements at 10-32 days.

Next time you enjoy mushrooms, you’ll know where they’ve come from.

🍊Fruit Fly. What’s your responsibility?🍋

Have you heard of sterile insect technology? The PIRSA Loxton Research Centre is the hub for research and development of Fruit Fly protocols and are using this technology to help keep Fruit Fly out of the exclusion zone. There is a $1.2 billion industry at risk.

🚫How can you help keep Fruit Fly out? 🚫

1️⃣Put your fruit in the bin
2️⃣Chop trees down and manage, no fruit on ground
3️⃣Don’t carry fruit between areas
4️⃣If you don’t know what it is, report it
5️⃣Implement a biosecurity plan

It’s a matter of when, not if ....

🥩Does your beef make the cut?🥩

Protein, iron, B3, B12, zinc, potassium and phosphorus are all nutrients found in beef and are necessary for healthy growth and development.

Want to know how to prepare and cook the perfect steak? Follow these easy steps:

1️⃣Choose wisely. Select your favourite cut of beef, 25mm thickness is ideal and bring to room temperature.
2️⃣It’s all in the seasoning. On both sides, sprinkle salt and pepper and then drizzle with olive oil.
3️⃣Preheat your BBQ. Hot is best. Place steak on the grill to sear and turn to heat to medium.
4️⃣4+3=7. 4 minutes one side, 3 minutes the next. Allow to rest for 2 minutes before enjoying with your favourite sides.

As George the Farmer 👨‍🌾 says “..from the paddock to the plate, it’s a ripper boost of protein mate....we love beef” 🐂