This week has been a WEEK, and I'm ready for a weekend to process (albeit one full of projects), but I wanted to share four key insights I got from conversations with some very wise humans: 1. We need to stop thinking of our food in terms of just agriculture and behind the farm gate, but as a food system. The balance of consumer value is added in the last few kilometres, so how can we capture that earlier? What are the social and environmental impacts of the decisions we make? 2. Management of wild game in Aotearoa is a wicked problem, intersecting with biodiversity, biosecurity, food security, traditional food gathering values, export capital, environmental sustainability, etc. Let's start bringing pan-sector solutions to the table, instead of passing on accountability. 3. The AGMARDT (The Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust) Common Ground report is an excellent conversation starter on creating an agrifood system we are proud of. Let's talk not just about what this WILL look like, but about what it COULD and SHOULD look like. What factors can we control and influence? 4. Leadership is not an appointment, but a state of mind and a habit of behaviour. What can you do to pull more seats to the table and increase the diversity of perspectives there? The more we know, the better equipped we are to tackle current issues and future-proof our communities. Photo: sheep near a trig point, because I feel like we are so close, but so short-sighted in how we are tackling some of our big challenges and opportunities. That, and the ocean is a calming force for this currently landlocked human. --- P.S. Do you have a view on leadership development in Aotearoa's agrifood ecosystem? Share your thoughts here: https://lnkd.in/g3mZf4kE #foodandfibre #primaryindustries #agribusiness #agrigood #foodsystem
Well said Jordi. Especially love the reason for your photo! For such a small economy/population our Achilles heel can be our entrepreneurial spirit, creating individual silos of works, rather than letting others in and working together. Moving into pan-sector solutions will require the Boards and Senior Mangers been brave enough to act on what their relationship managers are screaming from the roof tops.
Congratulations, Jordi Hoult, on these powerful insights! 🌱 It's refreshing to see key leaders focus on the whole food system and understand that value isn't just created at the start and in those critical final steps. The challenge of wild game management speaks volumes about the need for multifaceted solutions that address biosecurity, food security, and sustainability. Your leadership note resonates deeply—diversity and inclusiveness at the decision-making table are more important than ever. Your influence in pushing forward with conversations like these is significant and impactful! 💡🌍 🌻 #Innovation #Collaboration #Leadership #FoodSystems #agchatnz #NZfoodandfibre
Beautiful words, as usual, and powerful in gentle ways. Enjoy the change of focus on your weekend and may the processing happen deeply while you are not looking! Love your big beautiful mind and heart!! Noho ora mai!
Well said! I hope you have a calming weekend yourself. X
Yes, on all points. Thank you for continuing to be a voice of evidence-based and scientifically-driven change! Rest up ❤️
Executive Director - NZ Food Waste Champions | Kai Commitment
3moGreat post, I think I end most of my weeks feeling like this - so many big conversations that seem to be about different challenges on the surface but in the end all seem to culminate into being about step changes to build a more resilient food system (even if they don’t know that’s what they’re working toward or it takes very different lens to their neighbour). Digesting time required! Love your mahi.