Episode 35: Taking the Australian wool industry international with Stuart Adams

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In this episode, we sit down with an old mate of ours, Stuart Adams, a true farm boy from Kojonup. Stuart's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He embarked on a mission to add value to Australian wool, and along the way, he found himself collaborating with some of the world's biggest brands, including Nike, Adidas, Reebok, H&M, Lululemon, and Marks and Spencer.

Together with his then wife Anne, Stuart ventured into the world of sustainable fiber consultancy, traveling the globe to advise continuum textiles and woolen mills on producing sustainable fibers for these major brands. However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he decided to move his farming operation from Kojonup, Western Australia, to Shawville, Quebec, Canada, a place where snow blankets the landscape all winter, and temperatures can plummet to minus 30 degrees.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we delve into the disconnection between brands and producers, discussing the gap between what they say and what they do. We also explore the challenges of proving sustainability as a farmer and Stuart's vision for a simpler measure of sustainability based on soil health measurements rather than individual behaviors.

Stuart's agricultural career has been a fascinating evolution, and not many can claim they've relocated their farm business to a different country. We thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Stuart, and we hope you'll relish our conversation as much as we did.

Highlights from the Podcast:

Stuart's journey in the textile industry, working with major brands like Nike, Adidas, and more.

Developing the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) in collaboration with H&M and Textile Exchange.

The challenge of bridging the gap between consumers and farmers through industry standards.

The importance of universal soil health measurements for sustainable farming.

The ever-increasing cost of farming machinery and its impact on the agriculture industry's future.

Tune in to gain insights from a remarkable farmer whose journey spans continents and industries. It's a conversation you won't want to miss.