In its charter-bound mandate to promote agricultural excellence, The Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales knows that the future of quality, sustainable agriculture will soon enough depend on the rural youth of today.
Enter the R.M. Williams RAS Rural Achiever Award – in partnership with the iconic leathergoods merchant – which the society has been awarding now for more than thirty years.
We spoke to 2023 finalist Bronte Talbot of Dooralong, in the NSW Central Coast Hinterland.
“[The award] is a leadership and mentorship program which invites eight future leaders to see the back and the workings of the Sydney Royal Easter Show.”
The award selects for people aged twenty to twenty-nine who are making a significant contribution to their local communities. It focuses on networking, in order for them to “be able to promote the agricultural movement and improve their local areas, and get more people involved,” said Talbot.
An environmental scientist by training, Talbot currently works for the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment while studying a master’s in agriculture. Her focus is on “regenerative agricultural practices, sustainability, how are we achieving our carbon neutral goals and [promoting] youth in ag.”
Talbot says sustainable farming in NSW is a “work in progress,” but she’s looking forward to being involved in that work, including achieving a carbon neutral agriculture sector by 2030.
And what’s her favourite part of the show so far? “Definitely learning how to train a dairy cow to show.”
Listen to more of our interview with Bronte Talbot below:
