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Dr Anika Molesworth is a farmer, scientist, and storyteller who is passionate about ensuring the best possible future for the planet, people and the food on our plates. She is also author of Our Sunburnt Country sharing her story and those of other farmers and food producers, discussing the issues at hand, and finding a way forward. Join us as we talk about Anika's journey and passion for communicating agroecology and climate change awareness.

About Dr Anika Molesworth

Dr Anika Molesworth is a farmer, scientist and storyteller. She is widely recognised for her work in agriculture and food systems and generating climate change awareness, and is author of Our Sunburnt Country. Awards include Young Farmer of the Year (2015) and Young Australian of the Year, New South Wales Finalist (2017). Anika is passionate about ensuring the best possible future for the planet, people and the food on our plates.

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  • [00:00:57] Anika's family moving to the country.
  • [00:01:03] Anika falling in love with the landscape and the land.
  • [00:01:42] A desire to continue pursuing agriculture.
  • [00:02:36] The opportunity to undertake her studies via correspondence.
  • [00:03:02] Discovering the greater scope for her passion.
  • [00:04:09] Exploring food and farming systems in other countries.
  • [00:05:09] The opportunity to work in Laos during Anika's Masters.
  • [00:06:21] Observations of the differences between our global farming systems.
  • [00:06:29] The closed systems in Laos.
  • [00:07:17] More linear farming systems in Australia.
  • [00:07:53] What prevents us from implementing more closed systems.
  • [00:09:07] Farmers for Climate Action.
  • [00:09:13] Increasing awareness and concern about climate change and global food security.
  • [00:10:58] How Farmers for Climate Action works on awareness, education, and solutions in this area.
  • [00:13:43] What consumers can do at the end of the supply chain to support these activities.
  • [00:13:59] All the systems we interact with are interconnected.
  • [00:14:35] It begins with our consumer behaviours.
  • [00:15:53] Desensitisation to consumption and wastage.
  • [00:18:34] On Japanese Buddhist cuisine or 'shojin ryori'.
  • [00:20:02] Balancing running a farm and Anika's other activities with communication and Farmers for Climate Action.
  • [00:20:18] The challenges of drought and conversations about land management and direction.
  • [00:21:43] The very real breadth of impact of climate change.
  • [00:23:36] Building financial and economic resilience.
  • [00:25:52] Agritourism and the opportunity to connect and reconnect.
  • [00:27:26] Culture and heritage in farming, a love for the land, and wanting to affect change.
  • [00:31:19] Overcoming the barriers to effective change.
  • [00:32:24] Communicating climate context in the context of the food system and its impact on everyone as food consumers.
  • [00:33:11] Positive change creates a more sustainable and resilient world.
  • [00:33:49] Writing "Our Sunburnt Country".
  • [00:36:36] Bringing both awareness and positivity to the issues at hand.
  • [00:37:33] Take the initiative to ask questions and find out how we can contribute, even in small ways.
  • [00:38:20] We have an abundance of solutions.
  • [00:39:33] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work?
  • [00:39:49] Anika's love of the natural world ties in so closely with her work.
  • [00:41:27] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?
  • [00:42:27] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?
  • [00:44:54] Finding out more about Anika and her work.
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