Profitable Farmer

• # 161 - How Grower Groups Are Making an Impact with Pippa Jones from Macintyre Ag Alliance

  Running a farm comes with its fair share of challenges, and it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. But some of the biggest opportunities for growth come from stepping outside our own operations, connecting with others, and learning from those facing similar challenges. Stronger businesses, smarter decisions, and a more resilient industry all start with farmers coming together and sharing knowledge.    This episode is all about the power of grower groups - why they matter, the impact they have, and why getting involved can be a game-changer for your farm and business.    I'm joined by Pippa Jones, who, alongside her husband, runs a mixed farm near Goondiwindi, QLD. Beyond the farm, Pippa has played a key role in the Macintyre Ag Alliance, helping to drive innovation and support for local farmers. She also works as an extension officer with NSW Local Land Services and represents the Northern NSW Drought and Innovation Hub. On top of that, she’s a 2024 Nuffield Scholar, exploring how carbon farming can be both a profitable opportunity for farmers and better supported on a global scale.    Together, in this episode, we explore:  The critical role of grower groups like Macintyre Ag Alliance and the impact they're having in southern Queensland and northern NSW.  Why getting involved in these networks goes far beyond just improving technical farming skills.  How simplifying your farm business model can give you the time and space to pursue off-farm interests, leadership roles, and industry impact.  Why we should all back ourselves as leaders, even if we don't see ourselves that way just yet.    At Farm Owners Academy, we're proud to be partnering with Macintyre Ag Alliance and other grower groups across Australia to help farmers connect, learn, and thrive.    If you haven't yet, I encourage you to seek out your local grower groups and engage with your regional drought and innovation hubs-they offer invaluable resources and networks that can help you navigate challenges and future-proof your farm business.    You can access more information about the items discussed in the episode below:    Macintyre Ag Alliance – click here https://www.macintyreagalliance.com/   Drought and Innovation Hubs – click here https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/drought/future-drought-fund/research-adoption-program/adoption-innovation-hubs   Nuffield Scholarships – click here https://www.nuffield.com.au/     Pippa, thank you for your time, your insights, and your leadership. I hope you all enjoy this conversation as much as I did.    Keep winning.    Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team 

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• #160 - The Impact of FOA On-Farm Visits - With Tim & Cheryl Freak

  If something happened to you tomorrow, would your farm keep running? Would your team know what to do? Would your business continue to operate, or does it all rely on you? It’s one of those things we don’t like to think about, but it’s critical — not just for succession planning or long-term growth, but for building a farm business that’s resilient and can operate without you. Today, I have the pleasure of sitting down with two of the best people to have this conversation with — Tim and Cheryl Freak. Tim and Cheryl have been with Farm Owners Academy from the very beginning. They’ve spent the last 10 years transforming their farm into a ‘Freedom Farm’ but also, travelling the country in the Farm Owners Academy caravan, working alongside farmers to help them create farm businesses that thrive without total dependence on them. This is a powerful conversation because it challenges the traditional mindset in farming — the idea that working harder is the only way forward. Tim and Cheryl show us the alternative way. In this episode, we unpack: How they transitioned from a business that was completely reliant on them to one that now operates smoothly without them being hands-on every day.   Why they chose to bring in business partners — giving key team members skin in the game, rather than just employing a farm manager.   How they’ve structured their operation with clear roles, responsibilities, and systems that ensure everything runs efficiently — whether they’re there or not.   The impact of their farm visits with FOA members — where they ask the tough questions and help these incredible people work through challenges that they often don’t talk about anywhere else. We also talk about Freedom Farming — what it really means and why it’s different for everyone. For Tim and Cheryl, their definition of freedom farming means they now have the flexibility to travel, spend quality time with family, and step into roles where they’re mentoring and coaching other farmers. There’s so much wisdom in this conversation, and if you’re feeling stuck — if you’re working harder but not seeing the freedom, security, or lifestyle you want to achieve — then this episode will give you plenty to think about. Sincerely, Jeremy Hutchings and The Farm Owners Academy Team P.S. Inspired by Tim and Cheryl’s journey to creating a Freedom Farm? Ready to take your farm business to the next level? Our Complimentary Coaching Calls are designed to give you the clarity, tools, and strategies you need to succeed. Book your spot here and start making real progress today.

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• # 159 - Rebuilding a Farm Business Against All Odds with Matt & Hayley Watson

  Farming is a beautiful and rewarding way of life, but as we know, it comes with its fair share of risks—some that we prepare for and others that shake us to the core.     In this episode, we dive into an extraordinary story of resilience, resourcefulness, and reinvention as we sit down with Matt and Hayley Watson, first-generation farmers who built a thriving free-range egg business, faced devastating adversity, and emerged stronger on the other side.    Matt and Hayley share their incredible journey—from building their egg operation to 9,000 birds, navigating one of the worst droughts in Australian history, and tackling the challenges of growth, to the devastating biosecurity crisis that forced them to start over.     Through all the setbacks, their determination, values, and ability to ask “unreasonable questions” of good people helped them rebuild their business in under 12 months and turn it into a more efficient, scalable operation; an outstanding result and credit to them both.     This conversation is packed with hard-earned lessons on managing adversity, knowing your numbers, and building a team and a business that can weather even the toughest storms. It’s also a reminder of the power of community, integrity, and daring to dream big, even when the odds are against you.    Stick around as Sam Johnson, CEO of Farm Owners Academy, leads this inspiring conversation with Matt, Haley, and their coach, Alison Hamilton. Whether you’re navigating challenges in your own farming business or simply looking for a fresh dose of inspiration, this episode is for you.    Sincerely,     Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team    P.S. To check out Watson Family Produce, click here. Or, if you are interested in egg production for Watson Family Produce click here.    P.P.S. Ready to take your farm business to the next level? Our Complimentary Coaching Calls are designed to give you the clarity, tools, and strategies you need to succeed. Book your spot here and start making real progress today.  

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• # 158 - Transforming Farming Success Through Simplification, Strategy, and Support with FOA Coaches

  Today, we’re diving into a cracker of a conversation with three of our incredible FOA business coaches—Rick Morris, Marina Gregor, and Jack Owen. They not only run their own successful farming enterprises but also help guide others in our FOA community to achieve remarkable results.    In this episode, we reflect on the wins, challenges, and insights that shaped 2024. You’ll hear how these coaches, through bold decisions and a deep understanding of their numbers, transformed their farms by simplifying operations and finding focus. They share firsthand how these changes have driven profitability and reduced overwhelm—an approach that’s reshaping the mindset around diversification in farming.    Before we get into it, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Jack, Marina, and Rick for joining me in this episode. Your dedication, commitment, and input to this community are deeply valued. The way you lead by example and share your stories with such authenticity is inspiring. It’s people like you who make this community what it is, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have you as part of the Farm Owners Academy team.    It’s not just about numbers though. This conversation also highlights the role of mindset, strategic planning, and community in navigating tough seasons and setting the stage for success. Whether it’s embracing the three Rs—rest, reflect, reset, or having those all-important planning days off-farm, I hope you’ll leave inspired to tackle 2025 with purpose and clarity.    If you want to set yourself up for success in 2025, The Ultimate 2025 Planning Guide is packed with tools to help you map out your best year yet. Don’t wait – get your hands on it today. You can download it here.   Thank you Jack, Marina and Rick for joining me in this episode.     I hope this conversation brings you value and wish you all the best for the year ahead.     Sincerely,    Jeremy Hutchings and the Farm Owners Academy Team     P.S. Don’t miss out! The early bird sale for the Top Producers Program ends on the 20th of January 2025 (This Monday!). If you’ve been thinking about joining us to take your farm business to the next level and connect with like-minded producers, now’s the time. Secure your tickets today before the sale closes – we’d love to see you there! Secure your spot here.

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• # 157 - Business Model, Scaling, Benchmarking, and Navigating Tough Times with Sam Johnsson

  As we near the end of another whirlwind year, it’s a chance to reflect, reset, and recharge. The festive season brings its own flurry of busyness, but before we all step into some well-deserved downtime, I wanted to bring you a conversation packed with insight and inspiration to help you wrap up 2024 with purpose and head into 2025 with clarity.    In this episode, I’m joined by Farm Owners Academy’s CEO, Sam Johnson. Together, we dive deep into the year that was — exploring the highlights, hurdles, and lessons learned across our farming community.     We unpack practical ways to stress-test your business model, navigate challenges like rising interest rates and tough seasons, and build resilience into your farm and family operations. We also delve into the important interplay between scale, gearing, and business model and how to assess your farm’s performance against several critical measures.    Sam shares a special reflection on his personal journey this year, showing how resilience isn’t just a business strategy but a life skill, too.    We also celebrate the incredible work of the FOA team — our analytics professionals, coaching leaders, and operational champions — who have supported farming families across the country to benchmark, plan, and grow stronger farming businesses. Thank you, team, we are so grateful for the dedication and ‘above and beyond’ support you consistently provide to our members and community.    Whether you’re looking to refine your vision, strengthen your business, or just find fresh motivation for the year ahead, I hope this episode will help in some way or another.     So grab a cuppa, or keep the tractor running, and join us for a conversation that could set the tone for your best year yet.    Thank you for tracking with us this year. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and festive season.     Hutch and the Farm Owners Academy team.     P.S. If you know someone who would make an excellent guest for the Profitable Farmer Podcast, you can nominate them by providing their name, contact details and an outline as to why you feel they’d be a cracking guest by emailing us at [email protected] Resources mentioned in the episode:     Complimentary Coaching Call: If you would like to find out more about our Platinum Mastermind – business coaching and mastermind program – and whether this is a good fit for you and your business, you can book your one-on-one coaching call with a member of our business coaching team here. Book your call today.     Cash Flow Optimiser: This short course is designed to help make your financial planning more straightforward and effective. Discover how to turn your farm into a highly profitable business by choosing the right model, leveraging the Profit First Farm Business Model Analyser Tool, and mastering accurate forecasting. Uncover the seven steps to effective business model forecasting (BMF), the difference between budgeting and forecasting, and equip yourself with strategies to benchmark, stress test, and project cash flow with precision. Plus, gain invaluable insights from bonus training and real-world case studies that show what it takes to thrive, even in tough seasons. Check it out here.    TOP Producers Program: If you are ready to elevate your farming operation to unprecedented levels of productivity and profitability, the TOP Producers 2-day workshop is designed specifically for forward-thinking Australian farmers like you, who are motivated to scale up, earn more money, and run a better farm business. Discover innovative ideas, practical strategies, and the latest insights, all tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of Australian agriculture. We have two events in 2025, attend virtually or in person – dates and locations here.    Ultimate 2025 Planning Guide: this FREE planning guide is here to help you refocus, set meaningful goals, and build a clear plan for a more profitable, sustainable farm business. Reflect on 2024, follow along with templates and tools to help you set up for an incredible 2024 and ensure you start the new year with clarity, purpose and control! Download your free guide here.

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