Ag in Conversation

00X | show notes

Kerry Johnson on AWDT, quiet leadership, and the future of rural women in agriculture
This episode looks at Keri Johnston's journey from farming near Geraldine to governance, engineering, and co-chairing AWDT. It is a practical and thoughtful conversation about leadership, imposter syndrome, women’s development in rural communities, and how environmental stewardship and productive farming can work together.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

Intro/outro copyright info
Track: "Sunrise Instr"
Music provided by Slipstream - Tell Your Story with Music | 1 million+ Songs & Sound Effects
Free Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr 001 by The Rhinestone Cowgirls | Slipstream
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP 133 | How Rural Communities Stay Strong When Everything Is Changing : Kathryn Wright

The advice people give rural communities about mental health is often built for the wrong world.

Kathryn reveals why New Zealand’s rural struggles are different, why young men are not always facing the stressors you expect, and why land-use change can feel less like economics and more like grief.
If you live rural, work with rural people, or love someone who does, this conversation will change how you think about help-seeking, connection, and what really holds a community together. Kathryn shares the research behind her nearly finished 89,000-word PhD, along with the real-world counselling work that keeps her on the ground with farmers, shed hands, and families every week.
You’ll discover:
Why the biggest barrier for rural men is often not shame, but not knowing where to go for help
The surprising main stressor behind rural male distress in New Zealand
How forestry conversions, carbon farming, and dairy change the social fabric of whole regions
Why rural women carry so much invisible emotional labour, and why it matters
What social infrastructure actually looks like in a thriving rural town
Practical pathways to support, including brief intervention therapy, ACC sensitive claims, Rural Support Trust, and more

Kathryn also breaks down the hidden power of connection, the role of female friendship, the reality of succession stress, and why asking for help is not weakness, but one of the smartest things a rural person can do. Her perspective is both deeply personal and backed by years of research, making this essential listening if you want a clearer, kinder, more accurate picture of rural mental health in Aotearoa.

If you need a conversation that is honest, useful, and immediately relatable, this is the one to hit play on. And if you know someone who keeps saying "I'm fine," send this episode to them too.

Follow Kathryn on instagram:
Kathryn Wright rural mental health NZ (@ag_mental_health_nz)

See below for more information and help and advice that may have been prompted from these conversations

ACC sensitive claims service:
Support if you’ve experienced sexual abuse or assault
acc.co.nz

Brief Intervention Services
wellsouth.nz

WINZ funded counselling:

Counselling
workandincome.govt.nz

Rural Support Trust funded counselling:
Ignite
rural-support.org.nz

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

Intro/outro copyright info
Track: "Sunrise Instr"
Music provided by Slipstream - Tell Your Story with Music | 1 million+ Songs & Sound Effects
Free Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr 001 by The Rhinestone Cowgirls | Slipstream

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

132 | In this episode, we’re joined by Lindy Nelson, a sheep and beef farmer, former emergency nurse, governance leader, and the driving force behind major change in New Zealand agriculture. Lindy shares the story behind founding the Agri Women’s Development Trust, why she believed women needed stronger pathways into leadership and decision-making, and how that work has influenced rural communities across the country.We also dive into her role in Safer Farms and the Farm Without Harm movement, where the focus is on practical, real-world solutions to reduce harm on farms. From quad bike safety and rollover protection to better footwear, calving improvements, and technology that helps farming teams work more safely and efficiently, Lindy explains how safety and productivity go hand in hand.

Key Takeaways:
Strong vision and the right people can turn an idea into a movement.
Safety improvements work best when they are practical and farmer-led.
Confidence at home can unlock confidence in community, business, and leadership.
Better work design protects people, improves productivity, and supports long-term business success.
Real change happens when people across the sector collaborate, not when they work in isolation.

Links to Lindy's work
Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/0Vv7T52GzyDkYhD5pQIozI
E Tipu 2021 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Q9UvdOy_M
Farm without Harm - Quad Bike resources - https://www.farmwithoutharm.org.nz/safer-rides-2026
Farm without Harm - Calving resources - https://www.farmwithoutharm.org.nz/be-a-farmer-for-longer
Farm without Harm Membership - https://www.farmwithoutharm.org.nz/membership

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

Intro/outro copyright info
Track: "Sunrise Instr"
Music provided by Slipstream - Tell Your Story with Music | 1 million+ Songs & Sound Effects
Free Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr 001 by The Rhinestone Cowgirls | Slipstream
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

131 | Get a comprehensive look at the latest trends and innovations shaping modern farming, from autonomous machinery to farm data management. Whether you're a farmer, industry professional, or just curious about the future of agriculture, this episode offers valuable insights.

Main Topics:
The impact of autonomous farm machinery and robotic technology
Innovations in farm data collection and utilisation for sustainability
Shifts toward aligned, sustainable farming systems over intensity

In this episode:
Discussion of Clarkson's Farm new ag tech, including autonomous tractors and seed planters
Insights into New Zealand's approach to wildlife management and pest control through hunter-led bodies
The importance of farm data sovereignty and its role in premium product integrity and environmental verification
New Zealand's upcoming open farm days showcasing innovative farming practices and technology
The evolving mindset from farming intensity to sustainable and aligned systems
Practical examples of farm management improvements driven by data and technology
The future potential of autonomous machinery to enhance safety and efficiency on farms
The value of public engagement with farm practices through open days and educational initiatives

Resources & Links:
Clarkson's Farm on Amazon (search for series)
Agbot T2 Series by AgXeed
Farm Data Sovereignty and Verification Insights
Landcorp Open Days
Leaner Dairy Principles - LeanFarm

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

Intro/outro copyright info
Track: "Sunrise Instr"
Music provided by Slipstream - Tell Your Story with Music | 1 million+ Songs & Sound Effects
Free Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr 001 by The Rhinestone Cowgirls | Slipstream
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ep | 130 Birds, Burps & Wolves

This week on Ag in Conversation, we're unpacking New Zealand's first bird flu cases and what they mean for farmers and consumers, diving into Europe's changing stance on methane emissions, exploring fascinating new research on wolves and livestock, and looking at what the NZ–Switzerland trade talks could mean for agriculture.

Plenty of insight, a few laughs, and all the rural news you need to know.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

Intro/outro copyright info
Track: "Sunrise Instr"
Music provided by Slipstream - Tell Your Story with Music | 1 million+ Songs & Sound Effects
Free Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr 001 by The Rhinestone Cowgirls | Slipstream
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.