How to become a startup farmer

How to become a startup farmer

Author: NSW Local Land Services April 27, 2020 Duration: 30:54

We often hear in the media that young people are leaving the farm in favour of other career paths. But what we don’t hear about are those in the city who feel the need to get their hands dirty and create a business growing food. In this episode we’ll hear about the challenges they’ve faced and the rewards they’ve gained.

In this episode we hear from

Lizzie Buscaino, Piccollo Farm - https://www.piccolofarm.com.au/

Shannon Kelly, Full Circle Farm - https://fullcirclefarm.com.au/

Joel Orchard, Young farmers Connect - https://www.youngfarmersconnect.com/

Olivier Sofo, Living Earth Farm - https://livingearthfarm.com.au/

Sam Marwood, Cultivate Farms - hhttps://www.cultivatefarms.com/

Manu Prigioni, Farm It Forward - https://www.farmitforward.com.au/

Other links to things covered in this episode

Australian Market Gardening Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/AMGSG/

Field of Farmers by Joel Salatin, Polyface Farm - http://www.polyfacefarms.com/product/fields-of-farmers/

Farmer Incubator - https://farmerincubator.org/

ABS statistics - Farmer average age

https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/7121.0Main+Features12017-18?OpenDocument

Credits

This podcast has been produced by the Grow Love Project with support from Greater Sydney Local Land Services, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.


Hosted by NSW Local Land Services, Big Shift For Small Farms-Australian Agriculture and Regenerative Farming is a conversation about the fundamental changes required in how we work the land. This podcast moves beyond theory, grounding each discussion in the real-world experiences of Australian farmers who are implementing regenerative practices. You’ll hear from those on the front lines-producers, researchers, and industry experts-as they share practical knowledge about holistic land management. The dialogue recognizes that a truly sustainable system connects everything, from the microbiology in the soil to the well-being of the people managing the landscape. These conversations are made possible by the Grow Love Project in partnership with NSW Local Land Services, supported by Australian Government funding. By listening, you join a community exploring how agricultural resilience is built, one small farm at a time. This podcast serves as a vital resource for anyone interested in the future of farming, offering honest insights and collaborative wisdom for a more regenerative path forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 49

Big Shift For Small Farms - Australian Agriculture and Regenerative Farming
Podcast Episodes
Beyond the Weather Forecast: A decision making Tool for Farmers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:55
What if farmers could better understand what's happening beneath their feet? And could that information help them make better decisions when seasons don't go to plan? In this episode, we explore Farming Forecaster, a fre…
AgTech Without the Hype: What Actually Works on Farm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:36
Can technology really help farmers build resilience in an increasingly unpredictable climate — or are we getting distracted by shiny new tools?In this episode, we head to Twynam Farm in NSW to hear directly from farmers…
Chicken Caravans, Nitrogen & Smarter Farming Systems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:20
What if your chickens could do more than just lay eggs? In this episode, we explore how mobile chook sheds can improve soil health, boost pasture growth, and reduce fertiliser costs through better nutrient cycling. Featu…
Pick Your Own: Profit, Pressure & People on Small Farms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:01
What if you could add value to your farm without scaling production? In this episode, we explore pick-your-own as a diversification strategy—covering the realities, the opportunities, and what farmers need to know before…
Grass Farming for Horses: Regenerative Pastures, Movement and Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:14
The episode urges horse owners to shift from viewing land as turnout to thinking like “grass farmers,” linking soil biology, plant diversity and grazing decisions to horse health.We hear from horse behaviour expert Jane…
What' s the buzz around pollination with Australian native bees? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:47
Depending on the time of day you're reading this, chances are you have a cup of tea, coffee or glass of wine in hand. And so you are already relying on pollination, and that's what this episode's all about because withou…
Ecological Weed Management - Regenerative practices [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:44
Episode Title: Ecological Weed ManagementHost: Edgars GresteGuest: Kim Deans, Agro-ecologist (with special contributions from Alexia Martinez & Kym Green)In this episode of The Big Shift for Small Farms, Edgars Greste ta…
Changing from Traditional to Regenerative Farming [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:24
In this episode of the Big Shift for Small Farms Podcast, host Edgars Greste chats with dairy farmer Andy Hanna, whose farm is located in the heart of greater Sydney, amidst the growing impact of suburban sprawl. With fa…
Natural Capital Insights for Regenerative Land Management Practices [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:11
In this episode of the Big Shift for Small Farms podcast, we explore the idea of natural capital—the economic and environmental value of nature. Joined by natural capital advisor Madeleine Florin and farmers Ned Long and…
Soils and Pasture Management of the NSW South Coast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:07
Welcome to an insightful podcast episode uncovering the intricate world of Southeast New South Wales' diverse soils. Come on a journey with Di and Steven in their transition from dairy to beef production by focusing on s…