2024 Nuffield Scholar

Ben Poschelk

Building farmer resilience in the face of a changing climate

Ben Poschelk is no stranger to resilience. Working as a performance coach with agricultural leaders sees him building resilience in his peers, all while establishing a new business.

With his wife, Ben runs a fullblood Wagyu breeding enterprise and sees firsthand the growing need for focus with respect to individual and sector-wide resilience in the face of more frequent extreme weather – including drought. As part of his 2024 scholarship, Ben seeks to undertake a global analysis of resilience thinking and change – learning from “people and communities who have adapted to manage adverse weather conditions”.

Ben’s scholarship is supported by the Future Drought Fund.

Ben says that “whilst 'drought resilience' as a resilience subset is considered a relatively new area, there is significant investment globally to support learnings around the subject”.

“It’s a really opportune time to be delving into this field."

Ben seeks to collaborate with, and learn from, thought leaders within organisations leading the way in resilience research, including Climate-KIC, the Stockholm Resilience Centre in Sweeden and leaders in countries such as Israel.

“Israel is a fascinating learning ground, built on a spirit of resilience and in a desert, its historic challenges climatically and its attitudes to innovation and change has shaped the mindsets of its people, the nation and its economy.”

Ben also seeks to connect with previous Nuffield Scholars, as some have researched areas of resilience relating to climate change, sustainability and enhancing farmer capabilities.

“It is my focus to identify ways to help primary producers to better manage adverse weather events and identify avenues to impart those tools and practices into our industries.”

Investor Information:

The $5 billion Future Drought Fund is an investment by the Australian Government to build drought resilience in Australia’s agriculture sector, landscapes and communities. Each year, $100 million is made available to help Australian farms and communities prepare for the impacts of drought.

Website: www.agriculture.gov.au/fdf

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