Farming thought-leader, author and future shaper. Dr Anika Molesworth is a thought-leader of food systems resilience, a researcher in international agricultural development, an awarding winning author, and a sought-after keynote speaker.
Anika’s interest in agricultural resilience was prompted by witnessing a decade-long drought on her family’s sheep farm in New South Wales, Australia. From this point, she began a career in seeking how to build resilience in fragile farming systems and has worked hard at promoting and advocating for sustainable agriculture and vibrant rural communities. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science specializing in Agribusiness, a Master of Sustainable Agriculture, and a PhD with the Centre for Regional and Rural Futures.
As a young, female farmer tackling the world’s biggest challenges, Anika is smashing the status-quo and inspiring thousands through engaging and empowering conversations and actions. Her infectious optimism and inspiring message have led her to meet royalty and global political leaders, taking her around the globe, including to Antarctica. Anika has a great interest in climate change and promoting actions to mitigate emissions and adapt to changing conditions. She established Climate Wise Agriculture as a knowledge sharing platform, with a modus operandi to facilitate multi-direction flow of information and skill transfer regarding climate change and farming.
Anika is a Founding Director of Farmers for Climate Action, a farmer-led organisation that advocates for climate solutions which support rural communities. It is a network of over 8,000 Australian farmers and is recognised as a global exemplar of grassroots community actions having national impact.
Volunteering with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research projects, Anika has worked with some of the world’s poorest farmers, leading projects in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Laos and Cambodia. She shares these stories in easily understandable and relatable messages that enthuse and empower urban audiences everywhere.
Communication and collaboration have always been central in Anika’s work ethos as she endeavours to share the farming story – both the successes and the challenges. Her ability to engage and inspire others is reflected by the thousands of followers across her social media platforms. Appearing frequently on radio, in newspapers and magazines, and on television, Anika helps to spread awareness and motivation to a wide audience, engaging them with warmth, honesty and compelling storytelling. Anika’s award winning book, Our Sunburnt Country, has been celebrated with great acclaim as an inspirational roadmap to the future.
Awards include; 2015 Young Farmer of the Year, 2016 Al Gore Climate Reality Leader, 2017 Young Australian of the Year NSW Finalist, and 2017 NSW Young Achiever Award for Environment and Sustainability. In 2018 she won the Green Globe Awards Young Sustainability Champion, the NSW/ACT Regional Achievement & Community Award for Agricultural Innovation, and was named by 350.org Youth Champion for Sustainability. In 2019, Anika received the Women of Style Future Shapers Award, and was recognised by the Australian Financial Review as a Woman of Influence. In 2020, she was awarded the Emily Hensley Award for self-discipline, integrity, compassion and contribution to the wider community. In 2022, she was recognised in the Top 100 Green Power Players, and was named Young Conservationist of the Year by Australian Geographic.
