Cream of the crop: SA’s top young farmers
Food production in SA is in safe hands with these 13 innovative young farmers leading the way. Read how they became leaders and why they’re at the top of their game.
SA News
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Being on the land is an uncertain business. But here’s one thing you can take to the bank. Farming in South Australia is in good hands.
From grains and grapes, to potatoes, sheep and dairy, food and fibre production in our state are being led by a bright new generation of farmers, committed to the land they love.
Proud to promote their industries and determined to embrace sustainable practices to ensure their businesses can stay viable for future generations.
Their passion, drive and dedication extends beyond their own farm gates to their local communities, from Karoonda in the Murray Mallee, to the Barossa and Port Lincoln.
It’s worth remembering, too, that agriculture is now worth in excess of $80 billion to Australia with recent world events, such as the war in Ukraine, shining a further spotlight on the global significance of primary production.
Meet 13 of the innovative young SA farmers helping to fill the world’s food bowl.
1. MELISSA McGORMAN, 34
RED MEAT INDUSTRY/ SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER
TikTok handle: @lady_ba_ba
Her Lady Ba Ba social media posts have reached more than 60 million globally with a single TikTok video of farm life, attracting almost 36 million views. This one-time Big Brother housemate and mum-of-three farmer from Palmer, SA, is determined to “show city people what rural people do”.
Mel says she’s proud – and humbled – to have attracted such a large following.
“I can now showcase our innovative rural business, ensuring millions of people around the world, see and understand where their food and fibre comes from,” she said.
“Gone are the days of (most) people having an uncle or grandma living on a farm, where you would spend school holidays in a shearing shed or on a tractor.
“I think the main thing we can teach (a new generation) is to fall in love with the country … so they have some connection to the land and are familiar with how their food is produced.”
In 2021, Mel was awarded the state’s inaugural Social Influencer of the Year Award in recognition of the work she has done in sharing stories about agriculture.
2. KARL MILDE, 27
BROADACRE CROPPING AND MERINO SHEEP PRODUCTION
In 2021, this young Eudunda farmer was named National Rural Ambassador, in recognition of his “genuine interest in rural and regional Australia” as well as his leadership in showcasing country SA and its people, including through local agricultural shows.
Since finishing school six years ago, Karl has been home on the family property northeast of Adelaide and during that time the farm has tripled in size.
The soon-to-be-dad says he is driven to create a sustainable farming asset to support his family, as well as future generations.
“Most farmers aren’t motivated by money but watching a seed grow and seeing healthy livestock … and we care about the health of our land as much as the commodities we produce,” he says.
“One of the best things about the country is the sense of community … connecting with people across multiple generations and working to make your community the best it can be. It is incredibly fulfilling.”
3. TRENT BURGE, 35
WINE & SHEEP INDUSTRY
Based at Tanunda, the owner and CEO of Burge Family Wine Estates is a proud sixth-generation winemaker and wine grape grower.
He says it’s exciting to be able to “travel all around the world, selling my family’s story and the area I love so much … while bringing some happiness and something nice to drink.”
The only thing that comes close to the sense of achievement he gets from running his own business, is his wife, Jess, daughter, Tilly – and his first century in cricket.
Trent says emerging technology is making rural life more accessible than ever before.
“Country life and work can be both physically and mentally demanding but it is always extremely rewarding … country people are consistently willing to stop and have a chat as you pass in the street, supermarket or coffee shop.
“I aspire to leave the Barossa a better place than how I found it (by) continuing to preserve the rich history we have while working collaboratively for the greater good of our fantastic region.”
4. KATE MCLACHLAN, 38
AGRIBUSINESS, LAMB AND GRAIN
Inspired by her late grandmother, this National Farmers’ Federation National Agriculture Leadership Program participant is marketing lead at her family’s Gawler River-based sheep and grain farm, Newbold Studs.
“I am inspired by my late grandmother, Louise Close. She was involved in agriculture and ran her own sheep stud at a time when females were not traditionally in management or leadership positions,” Kate, who also works off-farm at Croplands Equipment, says.
“She was courageous, determined and incredibly passionate about her work on the farm. It is thanks to her determination that our farm still exists to this day.”
Kate believes there are lessons around “innovation and doing more with less” for city folk to learn from their country cousins.
“Australian farmers are resourceful and resilient individuals who are operating in an increasingly complex and challenging environment yet still producing world-class food and fibre,” she says.
5. RENEE PYE, 28
HORTICULTURE (POTATOES)
The marketing manager at family-owned, Zerella Fresh, part of Parilla Premium Potatoes, lists the growing popularity of Spud Lite, a variety of potato “with 25 per cent less carbs” than the average spud as a career highlight.
Any time she’s helped raise awareness of SA horticulture is high on her list as well.
“I would love to contribute to the growth of the industry and be a voice for our industry … to help educate Australians about where their vegetables come from – and how proud we should be of the amazing agricultural and horticultural industry we have here.,” she says.
“I’d like people to understand that country life, and businesses within the country, have a lot to offer and often require broad skills … from driving a harvester or chaser bin, to doing the accounts or being the general manager.
“City-dwellers might learn, too, that a two-plus hours drive is great for the soul.”
Renee lists her dad, Mark Pye, as one of her biggest inspirations.
6. ANDREW KENNY, 31
WINEMAKER
Recently named a finalist in the Young Gun of Wine awards, this Clare Valley-based winemaker lists being named dux of his Advanced Wine Assessment Course (AWAC) cohort, the achievement he is most proud of.
But it is the simple act of “growing grapes and having a finished product to share with friends and family” that inspires him most. While he aspires to “continue working with quality growers, finding new varieties and sites to work with”.
Andrew believes there is plenty that city folk could learn from those in the country.
“(Such as being)self-sustainable … composting, growing your own herbs and veggies (and)
shopping locally to support the small guys,” he says.
“Recognise that you are a part of a community, no matter where you are … you can help that community grow.
“The only way to understand country life is to live it.”
7. TRAV FLIGHT, 28
BROADACRE FARMING
To Trav, who spent a year working in agriculture in Canada, there is no greater sense of achievement than “watching healthy crops grow.”
Wheat, barley, chickpeas, lupins and vetch are grown on the 5500ha property that has been in his family for 100 years.
The passionate farm operations manager says he aspires to “the best possible practices to achieve success in growing grains for animal and human consumption”.
Trav, a young dad, believes city slickers don’t realise what they are missing.
“The best operators in the rural areas don’t work 24/7, sunup to sundown anymore, they find that having a healthy work life balance is the best way to success,” he says.
“(Besides), our rural views can be quite captivating … and we have more bright, starry nights.”
8. EMILY RIGGS, 33
FASHION INDUSTRY
Married to a Burra sheep farmer, it’s only natural wool has become this fashionista’s fibre of choice but her design dreams extend far beyond the farmgate – hoping for a global reach.
In fact, Iris and Wool luxury clothing label’s founder and creative director wants to see the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, wearing one of her pieces.
Emily, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma aged 10 - tragically the same year her beloved mum was battling breast cancer - believes the experience sowed the seed for her career choice.
“It was a creative outlet for me and a way for people to look beyond my illness,” she says.
“Iris” is in honour of mum’s favourite flower – she lost her battle aged 43 – and five per cent of every sale is donated to the McGrath Foundation.
“We are proud to have recently achieved the coveted – and internationally recognised – Woolmark certification … I aspire to be a global brand stocked by high-end department stores such as Net-a-Porter.”
And what can city dwellers learn from country folk? “To slow down and appreciate the little things,” the mum-of-two says.
9. CALLUM POWELL, 28
WINEMAKER / VINEYARD MANAGER, BAROSSA
The Agricola Vintners winemaker, who holds a degree in viticulture and oenology, is inspired by the “movement toward organic and biological farming in vineyards and away from the use of glyphosate and agrochemicals”.
Callum, who lists the building of his winery and cellar door in the Barossa Ranges as his proudest achievement, aspires to making “wine with a sense of transparency and connection to where it is grown – and farming regeneratively”.
He believes social media is changing how people outside the city limits approach business.
“There is a greater exchange of ideas rather than people sticking to what they have always done,” he said.
He says rural living makes you appreciate the little things.
“Having lived in the city and the country, I definitely have more of an appreciation for natural resources living in the country,” he says.
“We don’t have mains water where we live and we have had a couple of significant drought years recently … you know it’s been dry when you limit how often you’re flushing the loo.”
10. SAMANTHA NEUMANN, 32
AGRIBUSINESS
If the future of farming is in the hands of people such as this Freeling-based technology specialist and farmer, it is a bright one.
Luckily, Samantha, who works off-farm for Elders and recently completed a Masters of Agribusiness at Adelaide Uni while working full-time and buying into her family’s business, is keen to play her part.
“The red meat industry is on an upward trajectory; MLA (Meat and Livestock Australia) has set an ambitious target of being carbon neutral by 2030, the beef and sheep sustainability frameworks underpin this and align the industry with the UN sustainable development goals,” says the Livestock SA board member.
“At a state level, we have published sheep and beef blueprints with both our goals and commitments to a sustainable and profitable future.”
Samantha says whether you are running a farm or business in the heart of the city, there are things to learn from each other: “Although, like a true Barossa girl, I’d recommend pairing the chat with a glass of something South Australian,” she says.
11. RYAN PAECH, 36
BROADACRE FARMING
In his own words, farming in the middle of the Murray Mallee at Wynarka and Karoonda can be “marginal at best”.
But by embracing new farming practices and technology, he and his family are able to achieve crop production results that once were inconceivable.
“There are a lot of smart people in my industry making a huge difference in what we once thought was impossible in our area,” he says.
“Over the last 10 years, things have changed dramatically ... we now have the tools to be able to grow higher-yielding crops, as well as ‘exotic’ crops (such as lentils and beans) that make my grandfather’s head spin.”
Ryan recently purchased with his family a second farm after leasing land for almost two decades - building on the legacy his grandfather began in 1960.
“(My aspiration) is to continue to be better at what I do by adopting new practices and technology to make my operation as profitable as possible – to be a farmer that other farmers look at and think, ‘he knows what he’s doing’.”
Ryan says there are plenty of employment options for those considering a move to the country. “These jobs can be very rewarding and also pay well ... an hour or two in a car isn’t a massive trip, and there are so many opportunities and great people who live in these areas,” he says.
12. MEGHAN TAPLEY, 34
FISHING INDUSTRY
Meghan is proud to be forging her own story as part of a family who has been fishing in South Australian waters for three generations and holds one of 39 Spencer Gulf king prawn fishery licences.
The mum-of-two manages the Tapley family’s The Prawn Store at Port Lincoln, that evolved to meet changing needs during the pandemic – celebrated as a finalist in the innovation category at the Premier’s Food And Beverage Awards for the past two years.
“Many restaurants and the like shutdown or adapted their menus, decreasing demand for our product,” she says.
“The Prawn Store created a space online for people to purchase direct from the fisherman in smaller, convenient, domestic-size packages throughout the pandemic.”
Meghan says there is room to further diversify and evolve.
“I am passionate about investigating more environmentally-friendly options with packaging and reducing landfill,” she says.
“As a third-generation fishing family, it’s imperative that we use our knowledge, technology, experience and drive to preserve and manage the industry as best we can to ensure that generations beyond my own, can continue the path in the fishing sector as I have.”
13. NICK BROKENSHIRE, 34
DAIRY FARMER
For this Mount Compass-based dairy farmer, being able to share with his own family the lifestyle he was offered growing up means the world.
He wants to educate future generations about the sustainability approaches to agriculture, as well as “everyday living”.
Nick, of Roslyn Amdena dairy and stud, describes “AgTech” as being front and centre of the future of agriculture.
However, he says, it is key those outside the industry recognise the effort that goes into producing a significant food staple.
“(We’ve got to address) the mindset of people not understanding the importance of what it is that producers do every day,” he says.
“This includes the animal welfare aspects, as well as the health and economic benefits of locally-produced products … the world needs food – and the world needs agriculture.”
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Originally published as Cream of the crop: SA’s top young farmers
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