Technology, AI and environmental markets are creating new opportunities for rural businesses and farmers, with platforms designed to simplify recruitment, trading and carbon projects becoming increasingly relevant across the sector. In this episode from the Wānaka A&P Show Agri Exchange, Anne Lee speaks with Tony Dodunski from Ag Assist and Mitchell McLaughlin from MyNativeForest about how their businesses are helping farmers navigate labour shortages, rural commerce and the growing complexity of environmental markets.

Host:
Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guests:
Tony Dodunski, Ag Assist
Mitchell McLaughlin, MyNativeForest

 

Tony Dodunski explains how AgAssist was created during the COVID border closures when many farms were struggling to source staff, leading the business to develop a platform connecting employers with part-time and under-utilised workers. He says the platform has expanded well beyond recruitment into a broader rural marketplace where farmers can buy and sell machinery, livestock and services, while also promoting rural events and businesses. Tony says AI features built into the system help streamline the process by automatically generating listings, CVs and product descriptions, making the platform quicker and easier for farmers to use.

Mitchell McLaughlin says MyNativeForest is focused on helping farmers turn native forestry into a financially viable part of their farming business by accessing carbon markets and environmental schemes. He says many landowners have areas of regenerating bush or marginal land that could generate long-term returns, but the complexity of carbon rules and project setup often discourages people from exploring the opportunity. Mitchell says the business works to simplify the process by managing the technical, legal and environmental requirements, while helping farmers understand where voluntary carbon markets and native forestry projects may provide stronger commercial outcomes.

Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/

Technology, AI and environmental markets are creating new opportunities for rural businesses and farmers, with platforms designed to simplify recruitment, trading and carbon projects becoming increasingly relevant across the sector. In this episode from the Wānaka A&amp;P Show Agri Exchange, Anne Lee speaks with Tony Dodunski from Ag Assist and Mitchell McLaughlin from MyNativeForest about how their businesses are helping farmers navigate labour shortages, rural commerce and the growing complexity of environmental markets.
Host:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country</li>
</ul>
Guests:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Tony Dodunski, Ag Assist</li>
<li aria-level="1">Mitchell McLaughlin, MyNativeForest</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Tony Dodunski explains how AgAssist was created during the COVID border closures when many farms were struggling to source staff, leading the business to develop a platform connecting employers with part-time and under-utilised workers. He says the platform has expanded well beyond recruitment into a broader rural marketplace where farmers can buy and sell machinery, livestock and services, while also promoting rural events and businesses. Tony says AI features built into the system help streamline the process by automatically generating listings, CVs and product descriptions, making the platform quicker and easier for farmers to use.
Mitchell McLaughlin says MyNativeForest is focused on helping farmers turn native forestry into a financially viable part of their farming business by accessing carbon markets and environmental schemes. He says many landowners have areas of regenerating bush or marginal land that could generate long-term returns, but the complexity of carbon rules and project setup often discourages people from exploring the opportunity. Mitchell says the business works to simplify the process by managing the technical, legal and environmental requirements, while helping farmers understand where voluntary carbon markets and native forestry projects may provide stronger commercial outcomes.
Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: <a href="https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/">https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/</a>

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.

Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our
thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.

Don’t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the subscribe button now and join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter to get the latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the
business of dairy farming into the future.

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.
Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.
Don&rsquo;t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the&nbsp;subscribe button now and <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter</a> to get the&nbsp;latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the business of dairy farming into the future.