S5 Ep 5 - George the Farmer

What happens when your farm-obsessed son just can't find that one special book or toy to match his passion for all things rural? Well if you're a graphic and web designer – you just make your own. George the Farmer was created in 2014. Since then, there is an interactive story app, storybooks music, paddock to plate videos and touring performances. This little character is a powerhouse from regional South Australia. Simone Kain is the woman behind the popular brand, and she joins me now.  Simone shares that her son was the inspiration behind George the Farmer, having always wanted to be out on the farm with his dad, and reflects on her favourite places on the farm, where she grew up.  Her early career in graphic and web design helped kick-start George the Farmer, allowing Simone to create much of the content herself, from apps and online resources to songs and books. George the Farmer has grown into a fun yet educational tool that encourages children to learn about life on the land while inspiring future careers in agriculture and educating adults along the way. Because food and fibre affect everyone, both in the city and the country, Simone loves that George the Farmer is reaching audiences across Australia and around the world. Receiving multiple awards, it highlighted a major gap in agricultural understanding, and she is proud to have industry support and to see the content making a real impact. Simone now works on George the Farmer full-time, with 14 picture story books, five board books and eight early learner readers, all self-published and 100 per cent owned by her. Despite its global reach, George the Farmer remains owned and operated by Simone from regional South Australia. Simone shares that what she loves most about life on the land is the lifestyle and connection it brings. A common misconception she challenges is that agriculture isn't innovative and that women don't play significant roles within the industry. The most unexpected outcome was the rapid uptake of George the Farmer and its inclusion in both Australian and US school curriculums. Simone's dream for the future is that when children think of agriculture, they immediately think of George the Farmer.   We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.     Links:   Angie Asimus     Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram      Partnered with Australian Farmers       Follow @australianfarmers on Instagram       George the Farmer      Produced by Pretty Podcasts