A FUTURE FOR ALL FARMERS
When Anika Molesworth was 12, her parents swapped the suburbs of Melbourne for a vast sheep station in far west NSW. The decision changed Anika’s life.
“My parents, two brothers and I always loved camping, bushwalking and being outdoors, and on a family holiday to Broken Hill one year we fell in love with the wild west. It’s the untamed heart of Australia,” says Anika, 33.
“Mum and Dad found this farm and initially we came here for holidays. When we moved here I was so excited because we had horses in the paddocks, canoes on the dam, motorbikes in the shed and horizons that go on forever.
RUGGED LANDSCAPE
“When I wake up, I always have a sense that I’ll discover something new – but farming is becoming more challenging as it gets hotter and drier and there’s no sign of rain.”
While her brothers decided on careers off the land, Anika has embraced the rugged landscape. She’s bred sheep and farmed the feral goats that roam the land and are an important income stream.
Drought has forced the family to reduce their flock and, using her science background, Anika is looking at new opportunities like growing native Australian bush foods. She’s also a founder of Farmers for Climate Action
– a national group dedicated to sustainable farming.
“In summer we have multiple days over 40 degrees, so I wake at dawn, walk my dog, head out to the paddock to see the kangaroos and birds and enjoy the peace,” ” she says. “I’ve just finished my PHD in sustainable e agriculture.
I’m passionate nate about making sure farmers ers have the latest information on so they can manage their heir landscape in the best way for or a secure future.
“In the evening vening when it cools, I do maintenance enance work, like checking water troughs and fixing fences. es. There’s always so much to o do and instead of watching g TV I’d rather look at the river red gums lining the creek or a flock of emerald d green budgies flying overhead.” head.”