In today’s episode, Oli chat’s with Fiona and Liam Mann from Eradu in Western Australia. Their journey into the space of Agriculture and farming today is as creative as it is inspiring. 

Both raised on farms, Liam originally from Scotland, moved to Australia for a harvest season in 2004 and never left after meeting his neighbour's daughter, Fiona. 

Through their fate meeting, and an incredible amount of hard work to follow, Fiona and Liam have turned their dream into a reality. And all with the help of oil. [Not the black stuff that made the Beverly Hillbillies a fortune from however]. It has been through the development of their premium product, Block275 Cold Pressed Canola Oil.

Their commitment to their farming journey recently led them to being announced as winners in the category of “Innovation” at the Syngenta Growth Awards in 2023. 

Admitting they may have been the smallest farmers in the room filled with award candidates hasn't stopped them from achieving their goals. Starting out leasing land, borrowing machinery, working in off farm employment and raising a family while establishing their business, make it clear that perseverance and thinking outside of the box to value-add to their high grade Canola seed oil, all seem to be part of the secret sauce of their success in establishing themselves to where they are today.

“It is absolutely really hard to get into farming. But if you want to, if you want it bad enough, and you've got some luck on your side, then absolutely, you can do it” - Fiona Mann

The Mann's story serves as an inspiration to those aspiring to start their own farming journey, free from tradition, embracing innovation, and crafting a unique path in an ever-evolving industry.

This is the fifth podcast episode in a partnership with Syngenta Australia featuring recipients of the Syngenta 2023 Growth Awards.