Decide to be amazing, don’t lead an ordinary life. Don’t just dream it, do it.  If you get a clear picture of what you want, plant it firmly in your head and heart and it will take you forward.

Megan Mosely is a young passionate agriculturist involved in making significant changes to farming practices in the semi arid country near Cobar in western NSW. With husband Andrew, their two young daughters and Andrew’s parents, the extended family team has developed an holistic vision which drives the management of their property. Etiwanda Station was initially a small ‘soldier’s settlement’ block which has been expanded to become the current holding of 70,000 acres. The station now runs six diverse and integrated businesses including White Dorper sheep and Boer goat production, breeds which are both low-input and low-maintenance stock, well suited to the challenging outback environment. They also run cattle and do some cropping. Megan plans to continue to showcase innovative breeds and inspire others to regenerate this ‘fatigued land’. She hopes, by showcasing new breeds and innovative farming techniques, that young people will gain insights and be encouraged to develop profitable and enjoyable farming businesses that will enhance the environment.

What gave you the motivation/inspiration to follow your dream?

I have always had a deep passion for agriculture and the environment, and an admiration of those who choose to work with the land. I grew up on a property near Armidale and consider myself a professional farmer who primarily harvests my own, and nature’s, energies to create a profitable and happy family business. Family is a key focus for me, and having a rural life where we can create a future together is a strong motivator. The farm allows me to do this. The sky is the limit for us, as long as we keep a balanced view and work with the land in a regenerative way instead of against it.

At what point did you realise that your dream was actually possible and what was it that made you think you could really do it?

The moment I believed we could change things was when we began to make real progress and show people that the changes were working.

My move to Cobar in 1997 was a big change and there were a few tears at the start. As I learned more and more about the Western Division and met the people out here, I began to appreciate things. Once I’d overcome my fears, seen beyond the negative voices, I could start to see the numerous opportunities out here.

We decided to take the approach of regeneration rather than sustainability of what is here today. This involved researching and talking to local ‘old timers’ who told us how the landscape had been in the past.

When you were a child, what did you want to ‘be’ when you grew up?

There was never a doubt in my mind that I was going to marry a farmer and work on the land. Ever since I can remember, it is what I have wanted to do. It was just a matter of who, where and when!

How did your childhood influence you in later life?

My father will always be a best friend and he instilled in me a deep love of the land. He taught me many things I still use every day with a family and farm of my own. I was a boarder at school but I kept running away, so I became a ‘day girl’ so I could be home on the family farm every night. My childhood was filled with poddy lambs and calves, chooks, pet lizards, and an imaginary working dog called Jingles that drove my Dad crazy. Jingles had to be tied up, fed, watered, sit in the back of the truck and go everywhere on the farm, and he ‘lived’ for many years! To my mind, there is no better place for a child to grow up than on a farm — the connection with the land stays with you for life.

Who are your role models?

I have a number of people who I consider to be my role models. These include my Dad, my husband Andrew, who is a ‘true gem’, and people I have heard or read about such as Jim Rohn, an American who grew up on a farm in Iowa and is now an international business philosopher.

What does success mean to you?

Success, to me, is a really simple concept and means moving towards my goals. If I can make a one per cent improvement every single day, then at the end of the year I have made a 365 per cent improvement. One per cent every day is not that much to ask of oneself.

What has been one of the biggest barriers you have had to face, what happened, and how did you overcome it?

My biggest barrier has been my own ‘self-talk’. I see life as a ‘head game’—if you can get your head in the right place you can do absolutely anything. The first step is to recognise the power of the mind and then do things to increase the amount of positive input. One of the first things we did was to turn off the television!

I also suffered from postnatal depression so I know how difficult this can be. I learned a lot through that experience and continue to surround myself with positive people. We also read a lot of personal development books and listen to motivational tapes and CDs in the car at every opportunity.

Surprising as this may sound, the drought has been the best thing that ever happened to us. Before the drought when everything was sweet, we just cruised along thinking we were very clever. All of a sudden the rain stopped falling out of the sky and we were forced to think seriously about how we were doing things and why we were doing them. It was at this time that we decided to change the animal breeds we were producing on the property. We really started to focus on holistic management and thought about building our own mental resilience, because drought can be a very tough time for relationships and families.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? What is your vision for the future?

I see myself living here on Etiwanda Station, running the most amazing land-based business and Australia’s number one White Dorper sheep stud. Our environment will be regenerating and diverse. Our family will be happy, healthy and able to do whatever we wish. Our business will be profitable and widely known (for all the right reasons). We will be financially free and sharing our success with others who wish to know our story.

What would you like to say to other women who may be just starting out on a ‘Daring to Dream’ journey?

Decide to be amazing, don’t lead an ordinary life. Don’t just dream it, do it. If you get a clear picture of what you want, plant it firmly in your head and heart and it will take you forward. I believe if you think about your vision and goals often enough they will become a reality.

Write your dreams down. The process of describing a vision in vivid detail and setting specific goals is very powerful. Once it is clear, you need to take action. Expect more from yourself than anyone else does. From time to time reflect on what you are getting from your actions. Are you moving towards your vision and goals? Constantly ask the questions: how can I do it? what do I need to change to get me to my vision?; and if things aren’t working, change your approach. Also remember to reward yourself, plan to take holidays or do something you enjoy, and remember that life is a journey. Enjoy that journey—it is about having fun, and time with your family, your friends and yourself.