Episode 169 - Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Care — A Real Talk on Farm Safety with Rebecca Fing

What if we treated safety not as a box to tick, but as a culture to lead? 
 
For Rebecca Fing, this isn’t a theoretical question — it’s the heart of her life’s work. From her base in Goondiwindi, Rebecca and her team at House Paddock Training & Consulting have spent two decades helping farm families lift their game in HR, business strategy, and importantly — work health and safety. 
 
This episode is a full-bodied conversation with someone who’s been on over 600 farms and seen it all. Rebecca doesn’t just talk compliance — she talks culture. She doesn’t just talk paperwork — she talks people. 
 
And the urgency is real. Agriculture employs just 3% of Australia’s workforce, yet accounts for 30% of all workplace fatalities. Even more sobering — 75% of those deaths involve machinery. These aren’t just numbers. They’re reminders that safety isn’t something we can afford to “get to later.” Because what’s at stake is far too important. 
 
In a world where the urgent often crowds out the important, she makes a powerful case for choosing safety not someday, but today. 
 
We cover: 

• How to make safety part of your everyday rhythm — not a once-a-year task 

• Why consistent follow-through matters more than a polished folder on a shelf 

• How a culture of confidence (not just compliance) can actually save lives 

• And practical tips on how to make a start today: Google free audits, borrow best practices from other industries, and stop trying to reinvent the wheel. 

 
Rebecca speaks with the kind of clarity and conviction that only comes from lived experience. Her honesty is refreshing, her passion is contagious, and her message is simple: don’t wait for a crisis to care. 
 
Whether you're leading a large team or running a family farm, this one will hit home. Because at the end of the day, this isn’t about rules — it’s about responsibility. And creating a farm culture where everyone gets to go home safe. 
 
Rebecca, thank you for showing us the heart behind the how-to. For reminding us that leading with care is the most powerful form of leadership there is. 
 
To every farm owner listening: make a start. Sloppy success, as Rebecca says, is far better than perfect procrastination. 
 
Keep caring. Keep leading. And keep making farms safer. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Jeremy Hutchings & the Farm Owners Academy Team 
 
P.S. Ready to stop procrastinating and start leading on-farm safety? Rebecca’s Work Health & Safety Bootcamp is built for farmers who want practical tools, proven templates, and real guidance — without the overwhelm. The next intake opens August 2025, and it’s your chance to get the structure, confidence, and support you need to do this properly. And it gets even better – listen to this podcast and use the code FOA for a $500 discount off the next round of the bootcamp.
👉 Register your interest here 
 
P.P.S Looking to strengthen your team culture? Rebecca reminds us that safety is lived through daily habits — not hidden in a folder. To help embed that mindset across your team, download our Smart Farm Team Handbook. It’s a practical, free guide to help you build clearer communication, stronger accountability, and the kind of team culture where safety naturally takes root. 👉 Get your copy here