Ideas that grow

Podcast

The ‘Ideas that Grow’ podcast is brought to you by Rural Leaders.

The Food and Fibre Sector is full of motivated, grounded producers and agribusiness professionals. People trying to do the right thing by their families, rural communities, rural sector industries and our country.

Ideas that Grow gives voice to these strategic, transformational leaders – able to think critically and lead with the insight and foresight needed to meet both New Zealand’s and the world’s food challenges.

These podcasts are where Food and Fibre leaders, often from our Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarship, Kellogg Rural Leadership, and Value Chain Innovation programmes, come together to help plant innovative, transformational, and entrepreneurial ideas that grow.

All guest sector leaders are arranged by Rural Leaders. Ideas That Grow is presented in association with our supporting partner Farmer’s Weekly.

Listen to Ideas that Grow on your favourite podcast player:

Featured Podcast Episode

Ethan Gillespie and his journey in horticulture so far.

In this Ideas that Grow Podcast, Ethan Gillespie, 2025 Horticulture New Zealand Leadership Programme alum, talks to Bryan Gibson, Managing Editor at Farmers Weekly.

Ethan shares his journey from dairy farming in the North Manawatū through an agricultural science degree and a stint running youth and corporate leadership courses in Canada. That path led him to his current role as an agronomist at Brownrigg Agriculture in Hawke’s Bay, where he focuses on the squash and pumpkin side of the business.

Relatively new to horticulture, Ethan reflects on the governance and advocacy work behind the industry, and the leadership lesson that stuck with him most: it isn’t about holding a certain position – it’s about looking at your own corner of the world, deciding it doesn’t have to be this way, and doing something about it.

Listen or read the transcript here.

If you’d like to profile your research or any innovative work in your business, industry or community, please get in touch with Matt Hampton at matthampton@ruralleaders.co.nz