Ducks on the Pond

We are hearing more and more about the use of agtech for precision farming tech, for water level monitoring, soil carbon accounting, and so much more. So where do you even start? And is it even worth the time and effort? In this episode we look at how you can better engage with these emerging technologies - whether that’s on farm, as an investor, or getting involved in the industry itself. In the future, we can also expect more regulations around sustainability, whether that’s in the form of carbon accounting or another form of environmental governance. So should we be getting ready now?To discuss, we have two industry leaders:Ebony Greaves - CEO of Sea Oak Consulting, which helps agriculture businesses transition to more climate resilient practices. Ebony is based in Victoria’s High Country.Sarah Nolet - CEO and co-founder of Tenacious Ventures, an agrifood venture capital firm and advisory in climate resilient systems.We also have some very frank discussions about the role of women in driving this change. Let's face it, when you get the technology industry mixed with the agriculture industry…. you generally get a lot of men. So, how can we, as women, get more involved to even up the scale?This episode is hosted by Kirsten Diprose.This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Love this podcast? You might also like: Two Smart Blondes and Town Criers. Send us a text

We’re in the middle of a Federal election campaign…and you can already see that issues such as the cost of living, housing, health and crime are going to be crucial areas of focus for pretty much any candidate hoping to get elected.But what if the issue that matters most to you, or to your family or your community… is NOT one of those hot button topics?  And while we are seeing progress being made in terms of the representation of women in politics, there's still a long way to go before we have true parity on issues that affect women's health, safety, and general wellbeing.So how can rural women make sure they're heard when it comes to raising important issues in the lead up to the election? And how do you have productive and meaningful conversations with people who are on the completely opposite side of the political spectrum? That's what we are talking about in this episode, with our guests:* Cynthia Mahoney - Facilitator, Mentor and Author of “Cultivate: How Neuroscience and Wellbeing Supports Rural Leaders to Thrive”* Gillian Fenell -  Farmer at Lambina Station, SA and ‘Agvocate’This episode is sponsored by ByCC Fine Jewellery. Australian made, ethically sourced, keepsake pieces. Check out the ‘Beyond the Pond’ drop made for Ducks on the Pond!This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co. Love this podcast? You might also like, Two Smart Blondes. Send us a text

We're coming back! And we're looking at the BIG issues facing Australian rural women. From healthcare, baby loss to climate change... this Season of Ducks is going even bigger than before.We also introduce out Season 7 Sponsor, Ashley Molloy, the founder of  ByCC Fine Jewellery... and announce an exciting giveaway!This is a Rural Podcasting Co. production. Interested in podcasting? We can help!Like this pod? You should also check out Two Smart Blondes. Send us a text

Do you have a goal or dream that you want to pursue, but stop yourself because you feel it’s too selfish or you don’t have enough time? Sometimes we women formulate the idea that we need to be of service to others…  in order to be loved. And it’s not our fault. This idea can come from messages coming from society, or perhaps from the homes we grew up in.The good news is that we can learn how to reprogramme these unhelpful ways of thinking and get ourselves motivated to pursue what we want, or stop the ‘busyness’ to actually understand what makes us happy.Hear from two experts, who work with women every day, using positive psychology to help them break through their own mental barriers… (while chipping away at the societal ones!)Jodie Fleming - Clinical and Health Psychologist, Warrnambool, VICKaren Foster - Business and Leadership Development consultant and Mayor of the Moyne Shire, Port Fairy, VIC.Jodie and Karen are part of Rural Women LEAD - a personal and professional development series, running from May - July 2025 across south west Victoria.  Book tickets here.Send us a text

Agriculture isn’t just the act of growing crops or tending to the animals, as the dictionary likes to define it. And it's how outsiders can see it too. A bloke with his sheep and cows.  Rather, agriculture is a complex system, that impacts and is impacted by a variety of things from government regulation, people, climate change, business, politics etc. And it's also integrated with family systems too (including, women and children!).Therefore stepping into the space of advocacy on an issue in agriculture, can often feel difficult. I am delighted to bring on Catherine Marriott OAM onto the Ducks on the Pond podcast, as part of a collaboration with Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.Catherine (or "Maz") is a systems thinker and beef industry advocate, who has often has to explain to regulators and politicians what shutting down or changing one part of the system will mean to other parts of the system... and beyond.This has given Maz a unique insight into how to make changes in the Ag sector successfully. She talks about her experiences with live export and her recent efforts in the ESG space. You’ll also hear  from Claire Delahunty in this episode, another rural woman (and host of Rural Leadership Unearthed), as our host. With Kirsten Diprose, this time as a guest!THANK YOU to our episode sponsor: Aspen Lou - Rural Interior Design Specialist (She has a special promotion for Ducks listeners too!)This is a Rural Podcasting Co. productionSend us a text

Tea tree oil and nanotechnology for fly strike and foot-rot resistant sheep…. These are just some of the exciting innovations happening in agriculture. But how do lift an entire sector or industry? It’s not always easy in farming when most of us work alone or with family.But in this episode, you'll hear about the benefits of taking part in extension programs,  learning from research trials, and even just forming local groups to learn from your neighbours.Emily King is the National Extension Manager for Australian Wool Innovation. She's based in Dubbo and in her role, delivers a range of programs to help growers improve their production and trial the latest in research. In this episode, Emily discusses some of the latest innovations for wool production and sheep as well as some of the most successful extension programs that are still being delivered today. So if you’re keen to improve farming practices and production not just on your farm, but for your whole community or industry, this episode is for you!This is the third and final episode in our  Knowledge is Power series that we're making in collaboration with Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST). Make sure you listen to the other two episodes: “Building a farm business from scratch” - feat. Dr Lexi Leonard and “Managing the Family Farm” - feat. Rachael McGrath.More about RIST: We are a leading independent provider of Training & Education for the Agricultural Sector.Located in the heart of Victoria's Western District, RIST are your Local Agricultural College with a National Reach. TOID4198This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co.Send us a text

Owning a home these days is hard enough, so what about building your own farm from scratch? Dr Lexie Leonard is a vet, an animal health trainer and a farmer who is building her own farming business alongside her husband and their young children in Balmoral, Victoria. Originally from the suburbs of Melbourne, Lexie would never have predicted she would grow up to be a farmer.And it has been a steep learning curve at times. In part two of this collaboration series with RIST, Lexie shares her story of how she gained the skills and knowledge to run a farm and grow the business. She talks about the importance of goal setting and prioritising time to help you achieve your big dreams.The road to farm ownership may not be easy, but it is possible.Thank you to our episode sponsor: Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST)More about RIST: We are a leading independent provider of Training & Education for the Agricultural Sector.Located in the heart of Victoria's Western District, RIST are your Local Agricultural College with a National Reach. TOID4198This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co.Send us a text

Women have a powerful voice in agriculture, but would you call it equal to men? In Australia, there are more than 88, 000 women working in agriculture across multiple industries.  The numbers are growing, but women  only make  makes up one third of the overall ag workforce. There are also fewer women in positions of seniority, while research shows daughters only inherit the farm about 10 percent of the time. It's a complex problem, but a key leveller is undoubtedly education and knowledge. So in this 3 part-series, sponsored by RIST, we meet three women who have gained knowledge and power to make big things happen in their fields - from farm ownership, to becoming recognised leaders and change agents in agriculture.In this episode, we meet Rachael McGrath, winner of the 2024 Young Dairy Leader Award. At 30 years old, Rachael is managing her family's dairy farm at Orford, in south-west Victoria. She's a lover of genetics, with her own Jersey and Swiss Brown stud. But it's actually quite amazing that Rachel has such a passion for farming... because growing up, it wasn't easy. Her family came close to losing their entire livelihood, after a tragic quad bike accident in which a man who worked on the farm was killed and another employee was seriously injured. A farm fatality is every farmer's worst nightmare. And yet here's Rachel, now building her own dream of running a farm.Thank you to our episode sponsor: Rural Industries Skill Training (RIST)More about RIST: We are a leading independent provider of Training & Education for the Agricultural Sector.Located in the heart of Victoria's Western District, RIST are your Local Agricultural College with a National Reach. TOID4198This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co.Send us a text

New podcast alert!  If you're into film, TV, pop culture, the media, and what it actually means for us, then you'll love Two Smart Blondes.  Kirsten Diprose (who you know from Ducks on the Pond!) is hosting with film-maker Leila McDougall. Each week they also bring on a special guest, who has insight into the media/film world.The first episode has just dropped and we get the inside goss on the AACTA awards, how the new Bridget Jones movie will translate to a modern audience and chat about the new Netflix series, Apple Cider Vinegar. Is it glorifying scammers?This is just  a taste of our first episode of Two Smart Blondes, which we release basically unedited.... and that's going to become clear  right away.Send us a text

Chances are, when you were growing up, the idea of becoming a professional female footballer or even a female footy umpire for men’s games… was simply impossible. But NOW, it is. And that’s awesome.  However  it’s throwing up a few issues; such as how can women achieve pay parity with the men? How can we ensure women are safe playing the game (acknowledging that women’s bodies are different to men’s bodies)?In this episode we meet two passionate pioneers of women’s footy. Yes, we cover both AFL and NRL (whatever ‘footy’ means to you!):Tara McGrath-West  - NRLW player - a ‘workhorse’ middle forward for the St George Illawarra Dragons. Originally from Harden, NSWBec Malseed - one of the only female umpires for AFL Victoria men's games (she umpires for women too!), based in Hamilton, VIC.These women don’t shy away from the hard questions around getting their professions the recognition and remuneration they deserve.EPISODE SPONSOR: Squadron Energy -  Australian owned renewable energy company that develops, operates and owns energy assets for local communities.  Squadron Energy is also the Major Partner of the Dragons’ NRL and NRLW teams. Send us a text