Not how, but why did I get here?

I didn't grow up on a farm. I don't know how to drive a tractor. I thought dirt was something to throw at my sister. Food simply appeared on my plate each night from mum, and I loved every bite of it.

Dad was one of four brothers working in the family business Betros Bros. rising early each morning to head to the Rocklea Markets, sourcing the freshest fruit and vegies to send up to the stores in Toowoomba and Dalby. When I was 13 I even went up and worked at the Toowoomba shop for minimum wage, but it was a way of contributing to the fresh food scene I guess.

Fast forward 20 years, and I am a few days out from standing behind the release of the 2020 Annual Update for the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework. From first studying I.T, then Psychology, and finishing with Environmental Management, it has been a journey. I step back and look at it all. How did I get here? And why? I've analysed fire scars, developed cultural heritage plans, assessed vegetation clearing applications, reviewed Environmental Impact Statements, simulated rainfall on cane fields, played with dung beetles, brewed biofertliser, helped Indigenous communities harvest rock oysters, tested soils, assisted farmers learn from farmers in India, and have engaged the agricultural community throughout. I put it down to my love of food (my belly is evidence enough). Possibly seeing dad's daily dedication to getting fresh food to the people. I want to help those who do farm, so I can continue enjoying my food and hearing about the wonderful people who produce it.

And I know it is all worth it when I log on and receive the following email from a farmer, a friend, I worked with closely for a few years...

Hello Jacob, I hope you’re going well.

We've been making lots of Biological Fertiliser. The start of the year was very challenging we had lots of problems but right now we are going well, the crops responding well to the fertilisers and we will continue with experimenting with the knowledge you created. I'd like to say I would’ve loved to have you here. You have planted some great seeds into the Northern Australia agriculture. I think your input Jacob was very significant and I very often think of you. I hope you doing the same over there and create a successful change. We have cleared all the mango trees and we will introduce some animals into our farm in the next 12 months like we saw together in India. I’m planning on travelling around Australia the end of the year and I hope we can catch up.

Have a great day

I still don't know how to farm. I still don't know how to drive a tractor. I still have so much to learn about soil. Food still appears on my plate once a week from Mum. But now I have such a great appreciation for the land behind the food. The people behind the food. The knowledge behind the food. The effort and dedication behind the food. And interactions like this will further drive my desire to help in anyway possible.