NRI - National Rural Independents

The Cultivate and Connect Conference was full of inspiring moments, but one speaker truly stood out—Gus Balbontin. With a background that spans industry giants like Google X, Apple, and Amazon, Gus’s high-energy talk captivated shareholders and suppliers alike, making it one of the standout highlights of the event. Gus shared his journey from growing up in Patagonia to leading innovation at Lonely Planet, and now, transforming the startup ecosystem in Melbourne. His candid, no-nonsense approach to adaptability, creativity, and innovation got everyone thinking deeply about their personal and professional growth. From challenging the traditional education system to advocating for resourcefulness over resources, Gus made it clear that adaptability is key to surviving and thriving in today’s fast-changing world. He encouraged the audience to embrace discomfort, seek novelty, and not be afraid to try new things—lessons that left a lasting impression. What really resonated with many was Gus’s message that "focus on what you can control today to prepare for whatever the future brings." Many attendees mentioned how his talk inspired them to approach challenges, and, most importantly, embrace change. It’s clear that Gus’s infectious energy and thought-provoking insights weren’t just a highlight of the conference—they’ll continue to shape the way we think about innovation and leadership. 💡 Key Takeaways: * Adaptability over intelligence * Embrace novelty * Avoid getting stuck in momentum traps Gus, thank you for sharing your rebellious wisdom with us. The Cultivate and Connect conference was definitely buzzing with excitement after your talk! #CultivateAndConnect #Leadership #NRI #GusBalbontin #Entrepreneurship #Inspiration

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dominique Polesy and Tyler Stopp from Polesy Packaging & Textiles at the NRI conference. Their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm were a highlight as they connected with rural retailers and showcased solutions for independent businesses. It’s always inspiring to see the next generation stepping up and driving innovation in our industry. We’re proud to partner with Polesy and look forward to building stronger connections and continued success together! #Collaboration #Innovation #YourTrustedPartner #NRI

🌾 Global Connections in Agriculture! 🌏 Carrs Seeds in Cummins, SA, recently had the pleasure of hosting a group of Cambodian agronomists and government agricultural staff as part of the DFAT-funded Australia Awards program. The group gained valuable insights into Australian farming systems, including: ✅ Paddock monitoring and record-keeping ✅ Ag chemical and insecticide use regulations ✅ A demonstration of Carrs’ seed grader and equipment in action Led by Jay Cummins from International Agriculture for Development and supported by Air EP, the delegates also visited a local farm to see firsthand how agribusiness supports farmers with technical services and quality inputs. The Cambodian delegation, who are in South Australia for a 20-day learning journey, expressed enthusiasm about applying their newfound knowledge upon their return. They plan to implement project activities inspired by their Australian experiences, with a focus on benefiting smallholder farmers across Cambodia. The visit to Carrs Seeds exemplifies how sharing knowledge and fostering global partnerships can positively impact agricultural practices worldwide. The team at Carrs appreciated the chance to engage with such a passionate group of professionals and contribute to their journey of learning and growth. With smiles, meaningful discussions, and plenty of notes taken, and questions asked,  it’s safe to say the visit was a memorable one—for both the hosts and the visitors

🌍 From Idea to Global Impact: Daniel Flynn at Cultivate & Connect Conference During the Cultivate & Connect Conference held 3-5th December, 2024, we had the privilege of hearing from Daniel Flynn, co-founder of Thankyou. Daniel shared the inspiring story of how a bold idea—turning bottled water sales into a force for good—grew into a global social enterprise. Thankyou has now expanded its mission, offering cleaning and personal care products, with profits funding life-changing initiatives like clean water access, sanitation, and sustainable food solutions. Over $7 million has already been contributed to projects eradicating extreme poverty. Key takeaways from Daniel’s talk: ✅ Purpose matters: Aligning your goals with a cause can drive success. ✅ Resilience is key: Challenges are stepping stones, not roadblocks. ✅ Think creatively: Innovation can open doors to new opportunities. Daniel’s story reminded us that business can be a powerful tool for positive change. How can we use our platforms to make a difference? #CultivateAndConnect #SocialEnterprise #Thankyou #Leadership #PurposeDriven #NRI #YourTrustedPartner

🌟 What a Conference! 🌟 Last week, the NRI Conference brought together our vibrant community of NRI shareholders, industry partners, and amazing guest speakers under this year’s theme: Cultivate & Connect. From the outset, it was clear this wasn’t just another event—it was a celebration of collaboration, insights, and relationships. 💬 Valuable Conversations to Empower Success took center stage, reminding us all that nurturing connections is the key to unlocking collective growth. Here’s a glimpse of what made the conference so impactful: ✅ Internal Updates – A transparent look at NRI’s achievements, challenges, and vision for the future. ✅ Industry Trends – Presentations and discussions sparked fresh ideas on where the agricultural sector is headed. ✅ Shareholder Presentations – Stories of innovation, resilience, and growth within our network. ✅ Trade Fair – Suppliers showcased cutting-edge solutions, giving attendees a first-hand look at the latest offerings. ✅ Inspiring Speakers – Leaders who motivated us to think big, act boldly, and stay grounded in our shared purpose. As we wrapped up, the message was clear: by investing in relationships and sharing knowledge, we are stronger together. Thank you to everyone who contributed, participated, and made this event memorable. Here’s to cultivating success and staying connected. 🌱✨ #NRIConference #CultivateAndConnect #EmpoweringSuccess #YourTrustedPartner

At this year’s Broadacre Conference, Nathan Buckley, AFL legend, took the stage with an impactful session on leadership, resilience, and self-growth. Known for his relentless dedication both on and off the field, Buckley shared hard-earned insights from his journey—from the high-pressure world of AFL coaching to his current media role. He highlighted the power of self-reflection, the shift from a critical leadership style to one that celebrates strengths, and the importance of authentic connections.   But it wasn’t just his stories that resonated; Buckley’s approachable style kept everyone engaged. His message to “look for the good in others and keep growing” struck a chord with many, especially those balancing the challenges of farming and business. Buckley’s talk was a timely reminder that true leadership is rooted in humility and a deep commitment to growth. #NRIBroadacreConference #NathanBuckley #Leadership #Growth #Community #nathanbuckley

Networking, Learning, Growing: The NRI Broadacre Conference Recap! At NRI, collaboration is key to our success, and that's exactly what our recent Broadacre Conference in Sydney was all about! From October 14th to 16th, shareholders and key suppliers came together to: * Dive into the latest trends: We tackled challenges and opportunities in broadacre agriculture through insightful presentations. * Gain industry insights: BASF, Nufarm, VICCHEM, and many more shared their future pipelines, trends, and partnership updates. * Connect with peers: Plenty of time for networking built lasting connections and fostered a strong sense of community. Think business updates, innovative tech discussions, plus a healthy dose of fun and socializing! Interested in learning more? Let's chat! sales@nri.com.au #NRI #BroadacreAgriculture #Collaboration #GrowTogether

NRI Shareholder store agronomists gained valuable insights at the recently attend Pasture Production Forum held in Tamworth, NSW. The forums aim to connect agronomists with industry experts, expanding their knowledge and building a strong network. By bringing together leaders in the field, we empowering agronomists to develop cutting-edge pasture production systems and access a wealth of agronomic expertise. They learned about innovative pasture management practices, networked with industry experts, and gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector. Highlights 1. Site Visits and Expert Presentations: 2. Learned about alternative fertilizers, forage trials, and tropical pasture systems. 3. Heard from industry experts on pasture management in drought-prone areas and multi-species forage crops. 4. Toured a perennial temperate pasture and learned about pasture species selection. 5. Visited an AMPS Agribusiness and Fertiliser trial site to learn more. "The pasture agronomy tour to Tamworth was an excellent opportunity to network with other NRI agronomists and learn about pasture production in a different environment," said Steph Brownrigg, Agronomist at McDonald Rural. "Getting a rundown of the AMPS business and their investment into research was really interesting." #PastureProduction #Agriculture #NRI #Agronomy #SustainableFarming #IndustryInsights #AMPS

Discover East Stirling Rural, a family-owned and operated rural retail store located in Boxwood Hill, WA. Founded by Brad and Brock, two lifelong farmers with a passion for agriculture, this store has been serving the needs of local farmers and rural residents since 2019. Learn more about their commitment to the community and their dedication to providing quality products and services. #RuralBusiness #EastStirlingRural #NRI https://lnkd.in/givwd3BE

Behind the Scenes at Nufarm A Day of Learning and Discovery Last week, a group of NRI agronomists had an exclusive look into Nufarm's Laverton facility. From factory tours to technical updates and demos, they gained valuable insights into the science and technology behind Nufarm's crop protection solutions. #Nufarm #Agriculture #Innovation #CropProtection #BehindTheScenes #nri