Ep 75 - When Ag Gets Tough, Keep Telling the Story | Michael Rogers

<p>Agriculture has always had its challenges — labour shortages, rising costs, seasonal pressures, changing markets and plenty of things completely outside our control.</p><p>So when times are tough, how do we keep moving forward?</p><p>Recorded live at Hort Connections, Georgia sits down with <strong>Michael Rogers, CEO of Agri Labour Australia</strong>, to talk about people, connection and why agriculture needs to keep telling its story.</p><p>Michael shares the enormous task of helping supply Australian agriculture with the people it needs — including around 1,000 farm workers and 1,500 backpackers working across horticulture, meat processing, nuts, cotton and grain.</p><p>They explore the realities of managing seasonal workforces, navigating language and cultural differences, and why sometimes the most effective communication isn&#39;t complicated at all: <strong>show people what good looks like.</strong></p><p>The conversation then turns to something much bigger — the importance of connection when agriculture is doing it tough.</p><p>Michael explains why events like Hort Connections matter: they get people out of their own businesses and paddocks, talking to others, sharing what&#39;s happening and realising <strong>you&#39;re not the only one finding things difficult.</strong></p><p>And while the challenges facing Australian agriculture are real, Michael offers an important reminder:</p><p><strong>Look at how far we&#39;ve already come.</strong></p><p>From international market access to innovation and workforce development, agriculture has solved enormous problems before — and looking backwards can sometimes give us the perspective we need to look forward.</p><p>Georgia and Michael also discuss why agricultural businesses need to continue telling their stories, celebrating what&#39;s working and being willing to put their hands up when things don&#39;t go to plan.</p><p>Because whether you&#39;re selling a product, attracting workers or building trust in an industry, <strong>people need to understand the story behind what you do.</strong></p><p>🎧 A short conversation about people, perspective and continuing to move agriculture forward — even when the road ahead feels difficult.</p><p></p>