A Place To Call Home with Sam Fryer

#72: Fit-For-Purpose Farming with Jacob Wolki from Wolki Farms

Send us a textG'day and welcome to episode 72 of the A Place To Call Home PodcastToday I’m joined by Jacob (Jake) Wolki, a mixed-enterprise farmer from Woomargama in southern New South Wales. Jake and his wife Ann run a 60-hectare home block with Nguni cattle, Berkshire pigs, laying hens, honey, an orchard and a stack of little side enterprises – all feeding into their on-farm butchery and direct-to-consumer business.What started as a personal health crisis and a backyard veggie patch has evolved into a fully fledged, multi-layered farm business: regenerative, direct-to-consumer, value-adding, and fiercely family-centred. Jake is also known for creating one of Australia’s first 24/7 unstaffed butcher shops, his unapologetically honest social media, and his advocacy for “fit-for-purpose” African genetics like Nguni cattle and Damara sheep.Whether you’re dreaming of stacking enterprises, going direct-to-consumer, or just want your kids more involved in the day-to-day, this yarn is packed with hard-won lessons, uncomfortable truths and plenty of practical inspiration.In this episode we chat aboutHow a health crisis pushed Jacob from the “stupid Australian diet” into growing food and building a regenerative farm business.The journey from leasing his dad’s 100-acre block to creating a fully integrated farm, butchery and nationwide direct-to-consumer model.Why he built one of Australia’s first 24/7 unstaffed butcher shops — and how it transformed the business.The power of value-adding: turning trim, fat and “waste” into high-margin products like tallow, broth and skincare.Why Jacob chooses African genetics like Nguni cattle and Damara sheep for fit-for-purpose, low-input, resilient farming.Resources MentionedHow to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - Penguin Books AustraliaThe Richest Man in Babylon, eBook by George S. Clason | 9789897786884 | BooktopiaAlmanack of Naval RavikantMAN, CATTLE and VELD : Zietsman, Johann: Amazon.com.au: BooksFollow Jacob and Wolki Farms📘 Facebook: Wolki Farms📸 Instagram: @Wolkifarms🌏 Website:Wolki Farm Grass Fed MeatIf you enjoyed the episode, please share it with your friends and leave a review—it really helps us keep these conversations going.Stay connected with A Place to Call Home:📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au🎙️ This episode is brought to you by, Speed TaggerYou can learn more at Speed Taggers WebsiteSpeed Tagger – Speed TaggerSupport the show

#71: From Property Management to App Development with Megan and Andrew Miller

Send us a textG'day and welcome to episode 71 of the A Place To Call Home Podcastn this episode, Sam Fryer interviews Andrew and Megan Miller about their journey in agriculture, their experiences with HerdXL, and their aspirations for land ownership. They discuss the challenges and lessons learned from managing properties, the development of the HerdXL app, and the importance of financial literacy and community support. The conversation also touches on personal growth, family dynamics, and the value of surrounding oneself with the right people.In this episode we chat aboutIntroduction to Andrew and Megan Miller's journey in agriculture.Development and features of the HerdXL app.Challenges and lessons learned from managing properties.Importance of financial literacy and community support.Personal growth and family dynamics in the agricultural sector.Insights on investment strategies for aspiring landowners.The Millers' aspirations for land ownership and future goals.The role of mentorship and community in their journey.Gratitude for the opportunities and experiences along the way.Follow Megan, Andrew and Herd XL📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HERDXL📸 Instagram: @herdxl🌏 Website: Herd XL - Cattle Calculators & Trading Tools to Maximise Beef Cattle ProfitIf you enjoyed the episode, please share it with your friends and leave a review—it really helps us keep these conversations going.Stay connected with A Place to Call Home:📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au🎙️ This episode is brought to you by, Speed TaggerYou can learn more at Speed Taggers WebsiteSpeed Tagger – Speed TaggerSupport the show

#70: Navigating the Future of Agricultural News: Insights with Jon Condon from Beef Central

Send us a textG'day and welcome to episode 70 of the A Place To Call Home PodcastJoin us as we explore the evolving landscape of agricultural media with Jon Condon, founder of Beef Central. With decades of experience, Jon shares his journey from traditional journalism to digital innovation, highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing the beef industry today. Discover how quality content, strategic foresight, and embracing change are key to thriving in this dynamic field. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of agriculture.In this episode we chat aboutEvolution of Media: The transition from traditional print to digital media has significantly impacted how agricultural news is disseminated and consumed.Importance of Quality Content: Maintaining high-quality, original content is crucial for sustaining readership and trust in the digital age.Challenges in Digital Publishing: The agricultural media industry faces challenges such as balancing speed with accuracy and avoiding clickbait to maintain credibility.Industry Battles: The beef industry is navigating various challenges, including compliance issues, environmental concerns, and the impact of AI.Opportunities in the Beef Industry: There are significant opportunities for growth and innovation in the beef industry, particularly in enhancing producer-processor relationships and focusing on high-quality, premium products.Role of AI: AI is playing an increasing role in the agricultural sector, offering efficiencies in areas like meat processing and data analysis.Need for Continuous Learning: The importance of ongoing education and training in areas like people management and industry-specific skills is emphasized for future growth.Follow Jon Condon and Beef Central📘 Facebook: Beef Central📸 Instagram: @beefcentralofficial🔗 LinkedIn: Beef Central: Posts | LinkedIn🌏 Website: Home - Beef CentralIf you enjoyed the episode, please share it with your friends and leave a review—it really helps us keep these conversations going.Stay connected with A Place to Call Home:📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au🎙️ This episode is brought to you by, Full Noise Sound and ProductionTo learn more be sure to check out their Facebook page   https://www.facebook.com/fullnoisesoundSupport the show

#69: From Surfing to Aquaculture with Nathan Cleasby

Send us a textG'day and welcome to episode 69 of the A Place To Call Home PodcastIn this episode, Nathan Cleasby shares his journey from a non-agricultural background to founding Living Water Aquaculture, focusing on red claw farming. He discusses the challenges and opportunities he encountered, the importance of collaboration and research, and his approach to raising capital. Nathan emphasizes the significance of investing in knowledge and building a supportive team to achieve long-term success in the aquaculture industry.In this episode we chat aboutGetting into the Red claw industryThe importance of collaboration.Different approaches to raising capitalThe importance of having a solid team around youInvesting in knowledge and skills is crucial for long-term success.Resources MentionedThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett | No.1 PodcastAquaculture - JCU AustraliaFollow Nathan Cleasby and Living Water Aquaculture📘 Facebook: Living Water Aquaculture📸 Instagram: @living_water_aquaculture🔗 LinkedIn: Living Water Aquaculture: Overview | LinkedIn🌏 Website: Welcome to Living Water Aquaculture - Living Water AquacultureIf you enjoyed the episode, please share it with your friends and leave a review—it really helps us keep these conversations going.Stay connected with A Place to Call Home:📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au🎙️ This episode is brought to you by, Full Noise Sound and ProductionTo learn more be sure to check out their Facebook page   https://www.facebook.com/fullnoisesoundSupport the show

#68: Resilience and Rebuilding, Life and Land with Sally Edwards

Send us a textG'day and welcome to episode 68 of the A Place To Call Home PodcastIn this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Sally Edwards, a dedicated steer trader from Taroom. Sally shares her experiences growing up in agriculture and the pivotal moments that led her to leave the family business. She candidly discusses the emotional challenges of this transition and how she and her husband successfully built their own thriving steer trading business. Through resilience and adaptability, they navigated the complexities of the agricultural industry while prioritizing family relationships. This conversation offers valuable insights into managing risk, seizing opportunities, and the enduring importance of family ties in farming.In this episode we chat aboutThe significance of family support in agricultural ventures.How Sally navigated the challenges of family succession.The emotional impact of stepping away from the family business.Strategies for managing risk and seizing opportunities in steer trading.The importance of maintaining family relationships amidst business challenges.Resources MentionedThe Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett | No.1 PodcastMarcus Oldham College - We mean business.BBC World Service - Global News Podcast - DownloadsIf you enjoyed the episode, please share it with your friends and leave a review—it really helps us keep these conversations going.Stay connected with A Place to Call Home:📘 Facebook: A Place to Call Home📸 Instagram: @aplacetocallhomepodcast🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au🎙️ This episode is brought to you by, Rural Succession SolutionsThis episode of A Place to Call Home is proudly brought to you by Rural Succession Solutions.Support the show