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)
