Dr Anika Molesworth is a thought-leader of food systems resilience, a researcher in international agricultural development and a sought-after keynote speaker.
Anika’s interest in agricultural resilience was prompted by witnessing a decade-long drought on her family’s sheep farm in New South Wales, Australia. From this point, she began a career in seeking how to build resilience in fragile farming systems and has worked hard at promoting and advocating for sustainable agriculture and vibrant rural communities. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science specializing in Agribusiness, a Master of Sustainable Agriculture, and a PhD with the Centre for Regional and Rural Futures.
Current Work:
As a young, female farmer tackling the world’s biggest challenges, Anika is smashing the status-quo and inspiring thousands through engaging and empowering conversations and actions. Her infectious optimism and inspiring message have led her to meet royalty and global political leaders, taking her around the globe, including to Antarctica.
Anika has a great interest in climate change and promoting actions to mitigate emissions and adapt to changing conditions. In 2014, she established Climate Wise Agriculture as a knowledge-sharing platform, with a modus operandi to facilitate multi-direction flow of information and skill transfer regarding climate change and farming.
Anika is a Founding Director of Farmers for Climate Action, a farmer-led organisation that advocates for climate solutions which support rural communities. It is a network of over 5,000 Australian farmers and is recognised as a global exemplar of grassroots community actions having national impact.
Working for the past six years on Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research projects, Anika has developed expertise in Southeast Asian farming systems with some of the world’s poorest farmers. She translates this academic knowledge into easily understandable and relatable messages that enthuse and empower urban audiences.
Communication and collaboration have always been central in Anika’s work ethos as she endeavours to share the farming story - both the successes and the challenges. Her ability to engage and inspire others is reflected by the thousands of followers across her social media platforms. Her new book is to be published in 2021. Appearing frequently on radio, in newspapers and magazines, and on television, Anika helps to spread awareness and motivation to a wide audience, engaging them with warmth, honesty and compelling storytelling.
Previous Experience:
Anika has won numerous awards including;
2015 Young Farmer of the Year
2016 Al Gore Climate Reality Leader
2017 Young Australian of the Year NSW Finalist
2017 NSW Young Achiever Award for Environment and Sustainability.
In 2018 she won the Green Globe Awards Young Sustainability Champion, the NSW/ACT Regional Achievement & Community Award for Agricultural Innovation, and was named by 350.org Youth Champion for Sustainability.
In 2019, Anika received the Women of Style Future Shapers Award, and was recognised by the Australian Financial Review as a Woman of Influence.
Talking Points
It’s not game-over, it’s game on: The frontline of climate change impacts and solutions
The enormity and complexity of the climate challenge seems daunting - however, with the right skills and know-how the solutions are at hand. This eye-opening and inspiring presentation leaves the audience educated, engaged and empowered.It’s not game-over, it’s game on: The frontline of climate change impacts and solutions
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the latest climate science.
- Be engaged by personal stories of those on the frontlines of climate impacts.
- Feel empowered to help create a better future.
Feeding the future: Innovation in the food and farming system
With a rapidly growing global population, we need to transform the food system to one that is good for both people and the planet. Changes can be made from the paddock to the plate, and by doing so we can create a more just, equitable and sustainable food system.Feeding the future: Innovation in the food and farming system
Key Takeaways:
- Know the risks in the modern food system.
- Identify the cracks and how they can be fixed.
- Dare to imagine the food system of the future and how you can help make it.
Empowering people: Rural communities stepping up to global challenges
In the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Individuals, businesses, community groups through to large organisations need to shift mindsets and behaviours in the face of global challenges. With confidence, inspiration and collaboration people can change the world for the better.Empowering people: Rural communities stepping up to global challenges
Key Takeaways:
- Together we are louder, together we go further.
- Building a movement and sustaining progress.
- Individual empowerment and collaboration for good causes.
Advocating for a better world: Intergenerational equity and climate change
Holding the megaphone isn’t easy. How does one remain resilient in the face of criticism and self-doubt? Learning how to be visible and ensuring personal longevity is essential to make positive change. With nurturing and collaborative mindsets, individuals can step up to be leaders and make a large-scale impact.Advocating for a better world: Intergenerational equity and climate change
Key Takeaways:
- You are the leader you’ve been waiting for.
- Know your values and how to use them.
- Speaking up for a brighter future.
Cultivating resilience: looking after self in order to look after what matters
In our fast-paced lives, we often feel under-resourced and overwhelmed. In order to tackle big challenges like climate change, food security and community stability, we need to build mindsets of resilience and work environments that help us thrive.Cultivating resilience: looking after self in order to look after what matters
Key Takeaways:
- Be kind to self and others.
- Adaptability is key.
- Resilient leaders create resilience around them.
Video
Dr Anika Molesworth | Saxton Speakers
It was the decade-long Millennium drought that spurred Anika's interest in climate change, and how to ensure sustainable and vibrant farming landscapes into the future. Anika is a recognised thought-leader of agro-ecological systems resilience, she is an agricultural science researcher, communicator and works in international agricultural development. Anika is a passionate advocate for sustainable farming, environmental conservation and climate change action. She is a director of Farmers for Climate Action, a movement that puts farmers on the front lines of climate change and at the front and centre of the solutions. She lives on her family’s farm in far western NSW. Anika was named the 2015 Young Farmer of the Year, was the 2017 Young Australian of the Year NSW Finalist. In 2018 she was awarded the Green Globe Awards Young Sustainability Champion, and in 2019 she was named a Future Shaper by InStyle and Audi, and a Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review.Farmers are key to a better future | Dr Anika Molesworth | [email protected]
As a farmer, Anika Molesworth understands many of the challenges facing farmers - who are all trying to create more with less. Increasing populations, ecosystem degradation and climate change ask more of famers than ever before, which is why farmers need our support - to help them make the necessary changes, to do what they do best. Anika splits her life between her family’s arid outback sheep station in Far Western NSW, her PhD crop trials in Griffith, and lush green rice paddies in Southeast Asia working as a researcher in international agricultural development. She was awarded the 2015 Young Farmer of the Year, 2017 NSW Finalist for Young Australian of the Year, and most recently the NSW Young Achiever Award for Environment and Sustainability. Anika is a passionate advocate for sustainable farming, environmental conservation and climate change action. She helped founding Farmers for Climate Action, and connects landmanagers to researchers through her platform Climate Wise Agriculture in order to build resilience into farming communities. She is also keenly interested in the conservation of natural and cultural heritage in farming communities and manages the International National Trusts Organisation’s Sustainable Farms program.Dr Anika Molesworth | The Project | Saxton Speakers
It was the decade-long Millennium drought that spurred Anika's interest in climate change, and how to ensure sustainable and vibrant farming landscapes into the future. Anika is a recognised thought-leader of agro-ecological systems resilience, she is an agricultural science researcher, communicator and works in international agricultural development. Anika is a passionate advocate for sustainable farming, environmental conservation and climate change action. She is a director of Farmers for Climate Action, a movement that puts farmers on the front lines of climate change and at the front and centre of the solutions. She lives on her family’s farm in far western NSW. Anika was named the 2015 Young Farmer of the Year, was the 2017 Young Australian of the Year NSW Finalist. In 2018 she was awarded the Green Globe Awards Young Sustainability Champion, and in 2019 she was named a Future Shaper by InStyle and Audi, and a Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review.Dr Anika Molesworth | Harsh Climate Harsh Truth Trailer : Canberra Short Film Festival
It was the decade-long Millennium drought that spurred Anika's interest in climate change, and how to ensure sustainable and vibrant farming landscapes into the future. Anika is a recognised thought-leader of agro-ecological systems resilience, she is an agricultural science researcher, communicator and works in international agricultural development. Anika is a passionate advocate for sustainable farming, environmental conservation and climate change action. She is a director of Farmers for Climate Action, a movement that puts farmers on the front lines of climate change and at the front and centre of the solutions. She lives on her family’s farm in far western NSW. Anika was named the 2015 Young Farmer of the Year, was the 2017 Young Australian of the Year NSW Finalist. In 2018 she was awarded the Green Globe Awards Young Sustainability Champion, and in 2019 she was named a Future Shaper by InStyle and Audi, and a Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review.Dr Anika Molesworth | Climate Emergency Summit Melbourne 2020
Climate Emergency Summit Melbourne 2020 Panel includes; Jane Caro (Writer and social commentator), Paddy Manning ( Journalist and writer), Major Michael Thomas (Defence and Climate Security Analyst), Anika Molesworth (Agroecologist and farmer) and Greg Mullins (Former NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner)Anika is an incredible up-and-coming Australian leader. She bridges the gap, as no one else quite can, between women, farming, science and activism. She is able to speak in an insightful way ... keep reading Homeward Bound
Having called on Anika to moderate or speak at a range of both our physical and online NextGen events around food and nutrition security, I did so with great confidence for our recent National Science Week event. Anika presents with knowledge, passion and purpose and is an accomplished communicator who is able to judge her audience to pitch her address accordingly. She is also very organised and quick to respond to requests for info, so is a delight to work with!
Her presentation title aptly named 'Fighting for Love' was inspirational, passionate, educational and powerful!! Anika was a pleasure and a true professional to work with from the time of initially contacting her.
Anika was an absolute pleasure to have involved in the National Climate Emergency Summit. She was reliable and responsive in the leadup to the event. As a presenter, Anika was engaging and informative, easily linking her personal perspective and experience to the impacts of climate change on rural communities in Australia and more broadly. Her contribution to the panel discussion was insightful uplifting, and important, and we had lots of positive feedback on the session with Anika being the stand out for many people in the audience.
Anika Molesworth is a passionate, knowledgeable and articulate speaker on how climate change affects farming and farming communities in Australia. Her story comes from personal farming experience and academic research. The audience senses that she knows what she is talking about. I highly recommend her to conferences focusing on agriculture, food security, climate change and the future of rural Australia.
[Anika’s] work on sustainable agriculture is inspiring and directly contributes to the success of tens of thousands of our members directly involved in agriculture. We have been thrilled with the event feedback, much of which has included a request to bring Anika back... When you get an ‘encore’ and you’re a super fund something has gone right. Anika is a delight to work with and we hope to continue to work with her in the future.
Anika was an amazing and inspirational speaker. Her story resonates with many across the country, and to hear it coming from such a young, passionate mind is something which the audience loved. From the moment I invited her to speak at the NT Soil Symposiums, Anika was easy to engage and communicate with, and was dedicated to making her presentation as perfect as it could be for the expected audience. Across the entire week, she met with the audience during lunch breaks, and was more than happy to have a discussion on the future of soil, farming, the climate, and Australia.
Anika moderated the ‘Disrupting Climate Change’ conference session at Global Table 2019. She was fantastic at leading the panel of international industry leaders including exceptional policy makers, corporations, innovators and activists who are dedicated to helping the agri-food sectors meet the new challenges ahead. Anika lead the discussion on how collaborations in both public and private sectors hold the key to ensure global food security and achieve sustainable development. Anika was terrific to work with; collaborative and responsive and the session was well researched and delivered on the day. We are looking forward to working with Anika at Global Table 2020.
We were very grateful to have Anika as guest speaker at the Sydney 2019 Women for the Environment Breakfast. Her insights as a woman, a farmer and a sustainability advocate are incredibly honest and uplifting. Her dedication towards a collaborative and adaptable approach for complex issues are what makes her an extremely compelling presenter.
Anika shared her passion for a sustainable agriculture at the Ag to 2030 Brave New World Conference in 2018. She challenged thought leaders in mainstream Australian agriculture and gained their respect as a credible voice in how a changing climate is impacting Australian primary production systems.
