Growing up on a pig farm at Kerang in northern Victoria meant brothers Tim and Mark Kingma pitched in and helped the family business in their spare time. But after finishing school, they had their sights set on very different career paths.
For Tim, a passion for rural industries translated into studying agriculture at university before returning to take over the family farm. He also stepped into the role of Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Pig Group president.
Mark, on the other hand, was keen to leave agriculture all together and become a qualified electrician.
But fast-forward more than a decade and the brothers are back together, merging their skills and training to boost the fortunes of the family business while establishing themselves as industry leaders.
Read the Kingma brothers’ story of returning to their roots
Watch the Kingma brothers’ story
This case study is one of a series developed as part of the Community Perceptions and Worker Experiences Program. Check out the stories of other inspiring Australians who have entered the agricultural workforce.
Audrey Keck, whose dream of working outdoors with animals has become a reality
Georgia Beattie, CEO of Bulla Park, Australia’s largest organic mushroom farm
Trish Hammond, who traded nursing for dairy farming and now co-runs MPH Farming
Alternatively, return to the Community Perceptions and Worker Experiences Program home page.
