Rural and social entrepreneur Josh Gilbert who is also Chair of NSW Young Farmers and an Art4Agriculture Young Farming Champion is looking for help and he needs you to help him source agriculture’s rockstars
Josh is putting a call out to the community looking for agriculture’s rockstars to join him in spreading the great stories of agriculture that inspire while fostering innovation and breaking down the existing silo’s within agriculture via his newest venture Tractor Talks.
Too often in agriculture we sit around and find ourselves protecting one tree, while watching the fire burn down the forest around us. I want to showcase a cohort of people who can help me show how others are changing this culture’
Tractor Talks is a really great opportunity to showcase people who have new and exciting ideas and are leading the way and can inspire others. We need a huge shift away from the negative culture stereotypical stories that hinder progression, new thinking and self-pride.
It’s a great platform to listen to on the go and I really hope it serves as an incubator for agricultural innovation. I want a beef farmer to hear what an oyster grower is doing and think- we could apply something similar in our industry. I want a young farmer to hear that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that people have succeeded from similar backgrounds. And what I really want most is for the podcast to help draw people together, as one united industry right around the world…… says Josh
To kick-start his journey and give him added confidence that others believe in his ideas Josh has been announced as a 2015 Young Social Pioneers (YSP) scholarship awardee for Tractor Talks. You can listen to the first episode HERE
Passionate youth agriculture advocate Josh says “Tractor Talks is designed to tell agriculture’s exciting stories and encourage other farmers with innovative ideas and great stories to get involved and be stars of their own success stories,” Josh said.
Now on iTunes the Tractor Talks podcast will feature interviews with successful and inspiring agricultural professionals, exploring their motivations, industry visions and practical tips for farmers across a broad range of business and farming topics.
Josh’s YSP scholarship, sponsored by Optus, will see him take part in three residential touchpoints in Sydney. Alongside 49 other Pioneers he’ll connect with experts who provide support to amplify Tractor Talks, build networks of support and develop business skills and capabilities to drive a successful, purpose-driven venture.
The program is an initiative of The Foundation for Young Australians and supports Australia’s best and brightest emerging young change-makers: social innovators, thought leaders and entrepreneurs.
Josh said the networking, mentoring and the chance to take home $10,000 in seed funding make the scholarship a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“There is also the opportunity to get nationwide publicity, which is essential in sharing great agricultural stories with our consumers and the world,” he said.
Josh is looking forward to being inspired at the touchpoint sessions.
“I think it’s going to be a great way to ensure that Tractor Talks remains relatable to the general public, while also keeping the agricultural messages and tips at the podcast’s core,” he said.
“Connecting with 49 great minds from across the country is more than I could have ever wished for. This makes the whole course a great experience, along with the opportunity to change aspects of Australian life and be a part of the exciting Australian start-up scene.”
The first Tractor Talks podcast will showcase Liverpool Plains farmers and founders of ‘The Conscious Farmer’ beef brand Derek and Kirrily Blomfield.
Josh is a role model to all generations in agriculture, his passion, commitment and motivation is something we can all aspire to. He recognises the importance of and grabs every opportunity to cultivate influential community partnerships for the best outcomes for youth in agriculture.
CALL TO ACTION: If you know one of agriculture’s rockstars whose story will inspire others by featuring on Tractor Talks Josh wants to talk to you
Contact Josh Gilbert
Email: contact@gilbertjoshuam.com
Mobile: 0432 260 024.
Twitter: @GilbertJoshuaM #agrockstars
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TractorTalks/
Great initiative. Support where I can Regards John
Dr John Troughton Sydney Australia 61419970594
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thanks John you have always been highly supportive of the program and we appreciate that immensely
Hi Josh, I think that what you are doing is a great initiative and very timely. For far too long Agriculture has suffered with negativity from various individuals in the media. Farming has been looked down on and seen as an occupation for those who are not able to go to University. It has always amazed me that agriculture is looked at like this when Aust farm families are the wealthiest group we have in Australia. So what I see happening now is that some of our skilled are now being recognised. This is a major change. We now need other changes.
Some months ago I sent you a copy of my Farm Succession Guide and will be developing a number of options for farm families. Farm succession is a major problem in Australia. When you think farm families spend a lifetime developing their farm business’s only to break their farm business down at farm succession time in many cases. This nullifies the productivity gains achieved over a lifetime. An external student of mine (a full time shearer) many years ago said farm succession was the reason that a farm that had been in the family for 3 generations was providing a similar standard of living as enjoyed by the first generation!!! If we continue with the inheritance model for farm succession in Aust, family farming will die out. I believe that Aust Family Farms are very poorly serviced in the farm succession area. This is mainly due to Universities focus on graduating MONO DISCIPLINE people. Universities focus on specialisation and this is entrenched by the University promotion system. The University of Melbourne promotion system cannot handle multi discipline academics!!. We need generalist advisors, like the medical system. When was the last time you were sick, that you went straight to a specialist, but we do in agriculture.
Finally, another area that needs change is the University teaching model for senior students, eg., 3rd and 4th year undergrad students. Students pay for their education, but then universities use an education model to standise the students. I used a marketing model for 30 yers with great results. I used this model as students have a contract with the university and it seemed logical to me that the educational model should follow the contract structure.
Again, I think what you are doing and the art4agriculture is a great initiative and if you think I might be able to assist then I would be happy to assist. I am multidiscipline having taught a wide range of subjects including social psych, marketing, farm management, business law, organiastional management, taxation, accounting, etc and have a very large number of farmer comments from RIRDC and Uni of Melbourne financially supported research, that back up my views on needed change in Aust agriculture.
Geoff Tually. Email: familyfarming@bigpond.com.
Retired Senior Academic,Uni of Melbourne.
Director and previous Chairman, Bright Community Bendigo Bank.