'Make it land': Former Groundbreaker on mentoring program and getting out of your comfort zone
Applications are now open for AgriFutures Australia’s evokeAG. 2025 Groundbreakers program. Formerly known as Future Young Leaders, the revamped mentorship program offers invaluable professional development to young movers and shakers who are committed to delivering impact for Australia’s rural industries and communities.
Here, former participant, Malkah Lara-Muckenschnabl, shares with aspiring young changemakers why Groundbreakers should be on your must-do list.
Ask any delegate to recount their favourite speakers from an AgriFutures evokeAG. event, and it’s likely that a Groundbreaker will top the list.
In presentations scattered throughout the packed plenary schedule, young changemakers take to the main stage to present their research, innovation, and ideas for tackling Australian ag’s big challenges.
For delegates, it provides inspired (and inspiring) new perspectives. For changemakers, it’s an invaluable chance to ‘wow’ an audience packed with producers, innovators, policymakers, and investors.
But if the thought of speaking in front of over thousands of agrifood’s finest is enough to fill you with dread, you’re not alone!
RELATED: Calling all agrifood innovators: evokeAG. Groundbreakers applications are now open
It’s a feeling familiar to former participant, Malkah Lara-Muckenschnabl, who stood before 1,600 delegates at evokeAG. 2023 to present her vision to revolutionise recruitment in agriculture.
“We’ve all got ideas, opinions, and challenges we want to solve. That’s what makes agriculture such a passionate sector to work in. But this program puts you on a pedestal to say those things in front of people who can help you make an impact,” she said.
“It is scary, stepping out of your comfort zone. But you’re well supported to succeed.”
Malkah Lara-Muckenschnabl, evokeAG. 2023 Future Young Leader (now Groundbreakers).
Creating confident storytellers
Stepping out of your comfort zone is one thing. Doing it in front of a packed auditorium is quite another. But to Malkah, the in-depth group and one-on-one mentoring sessions with industry professionals in the lead-up to evokeAG. made all the difference – for both getting on-stage, and the opportunities that followed.
“The mentoring program helped me to learn how to communicate my message effectively. About how it would sit with people. About how I could make it land.”
“But it was also helpful around the actual act of public speaking: standing up on stage, the pitch of your voice, the tone, finishing your words – all the technical things that come with ‘performing’.”
Malkah’s presentation discussed the challenges of recruitment in agriculture, showcasing her prototype app – Lymbo – as a gamechanging solution. It gives employees the chance to sell themselves to employers in their own words. No more relying on an impersonal resumé that employers spend an average of seven seconds with before they decide to cull you.
RELATED: Five tips for nailing your evokeAG. Groundbreakers Program application
“Every employee is different,” explained Malkah. “And in agriculture, we value not just qualifications but cultural fit, personality, drive. But you can’t just put those ‘soft skills’ on paper. And that’s the problem. Employers aren’t getting to know the real you.”
Malkah Lara-Muckenschnabl, evokeAG. 2023.
A rousing reception from the audience was a confidence boost for Malkah – who recalls the sense of accomplishment she felt when she walked off stage. Compounding it was the reaction from would-be investors, who put offers on the table in the days after her presentation.
Mentoring that doesn’t stop when the cameras do
But she didn’t just bask in a job well done. Malkah has taken the bit between her teeth and run – thanks to the support and guidance of program mentors, who helped her capitalise on the opportunities her presentation opened up.
“For some participants, Groundbreakers could be an instant life-changing thing,” said Malkah. “For me, it’s been a very slow burn. I did the program 18 months ago and I still don’t have a physical app developed yet.”
RELATED: New name, new impact: evokeAG. Groundbreakers program welcomes 2025 applicants
“But startups don’t just happen. So AgriFutures Australia doesn’t just leave you hanging to work it out for yourself. They follow up to see where you’re at, and if you need help to get where you want to be. Because you probably can’t do it on your own.
It takes an army of people to guide development, facilitate co-design, and advocate for your idea.”
“I think that’s a key value in the program,” she added. “You’ve just stood on stage and done this great thing – but after that, you need help to line your ducks up.”
Unlock new professional networks
Part of getting those ducks lined up is the networks that participants are exposed to.
evokeAG. is renowned for its networking opportunities – where delegates rub shoulders with industry leaders, innovators, investors, potential collaborators, and future employers. The experience is heightened for Groundbreakers participants, 18–30-year-olds who may not yet enjoy an extensive professional network.
RELATED: Humans of Agriculture: 2023 Future Young Leader Malkah Lara-Muckenschnabl
“Whilst I don’t have an app yet, the solution is probably in the best place it’s ever been,” explained Malkah. “And that’s because of the co-design process that’s come as a result of the people I met and networks I made.”
“People I may never have crossed paths with if it weren’t for the Groundbreakers program.”
With the support she’s had from the program, Malkah’s idea is still ticking away – and could genuinely become something that changes not just her life, but the lives of everyone who’s passionate about finding work in agriculture.
Malkah, and Cathy McGowan, AgriFutures Australia Chairperson.
“Some people find their future workplace. Others like me get opportunities to collaborate with industry leaders in their projects or have them assist in yours. It really opens up a different world of possibilities because you get exposure to different people that you maybe wouldn’t have otherwise.”
Daunted? Do it anyway!
If the whole ‘getting on stage in front of 2,000 people thing is still troubling you, Malkah says to just take the leap! “It’s really empowering.”
“After you step off the stage, you think, ‘Wow. I did that!’ and it gives you courage to speak to new people, try something big, and make change.”
“And it also gives you a backing. Saying I was a Future Young Leader [Groundbreaker] and being able to refer people to the video of your presentation speaks for itself.”
If you’re aged 18-30 and seeking exceptional mentorship, invaluable networking, and the chance to step outside your comfort zone to make a real impact in agrifood innovation, Groundbreakers is for you.
Applications for the evokeAG. 2025 Groundbreakers program close on 2 September 2024.
For more details or to lodge your application, visit the Groundbreakers program page, here.
Tickets are now on sale for evokeAG. 2025 to be held on 18-19 February 2025 in Brisbane, Queensland. Following a sell-out event in 2024 we are encouraging delegates to secure their tickets, flights and accommodation early.
We look forward to seeing you in Brisbane for evokeAG. 2025. In the meantime, catch up on the other conversations about sustainability, climate resilience and the role of agtech in meeting those challenges from here.