"We should be proud of what we do on our farms in Australia" with Andrew Fowler

Andrew is a passionate farmer, dad, husband and community man. He’s a thinker. Progressive. Visionary. He takes people along on the ride with him. 

In this chat Andrew shares his story, the evolution of ‘Chilwell farms’, the family business, the change and expansion of farming in his pocket of Western Australia.

In 2000, Andrew undertook a Nuffield Scholarship,

“I was hungry for info and for knowledge and for self-development, like really hungry for improvement at that time”

In this conversation we cover.

·  The significance of portraying agriculture in a positive light.

·  The unique geographical and climatic diversity of Esperance and its impact on farming.

·  The historical development of land in the Esperance region and the evolution

·  The evolution of Chilwell Farms from a sheep farm to a diverse operation including cropping and livestock.

·  The challenges and rewards of farming in an isolated area.

·  Andrew's educational background and its influence on his farming practices.

This episode is part of our partnership, where we profile various Nuffield Scholars and understand their journey, careers and impact on Australian agriculture.

Nuffield episode sponsor:
A message from this episode sponsor, ANZ Agribusiness:

Farming in Australia is never without opportunity, nor challenge. From season to season, and from day to day, producers manage a myriad of risks and rewards as they produce the vast range of commodities global markets now demand. At ANZ Agribusiness, we’ve been supporting farmers to take opportunities and manage through challenges for over 150 years. We’re a proud and long term partner of Nuffield Australia, supporting its goal of capacity building for producers, their businesses, industry and rural community. Our network of regionally based Agribusiness bankers are ready to support both our existing customers, and any farming business seeking a review of their banking arrangements at any time. Find your local ANZ Agribusiness manager now.

Chapters

00:00 Portraying Agriculture in a Positive Light

03:13 Geographical Diversity and Risk Management

08:04 The Business Model: Owning vs. Leasing Land

11:39 The Importance of Trust and Long-Term Relationships

26:29 Transitioning from Operator to Manager

29:50 Managing People and Creating a Positive Work Environment

30:52 Community Involvement and the Role of a Strong Local Community

31:34 The Impact of the Housing Crisis on Farm Businesses

36:04 The Benefits of Being Involved in Initiatives and Organizations Outside the Farm Gate

48:29 The Need for Better Political Lobby in Agriculture

57:39 The Significance of Good People and Effective Systems in Farm Management