John Deere’s nationwide search for the next great content creator for its lifestyle equipment has unearthed a farmer from a small northeast Victoria town with big property dreams – and now the right equipment to make them a reality.
Phaedra Rodriguez has spent the last four years growing flowers on her 7.5-acre property in Yackandandah, just south of Albury-Wodonga, where she lives with her husband Moroni and three children.
She has built a loyal following on YouTube and Instagram, sharing gardening tips and her journey from running a profitable florist business to repurposing the property due to economic pressures.
“Buying flowers has become more of a luxury for most people, which has pushed a lot of florists out of business,” Ms Rodriguez said.
“But what’s a farmer good at? A pivot! We have added in growing food and the property is now half flowers, half veggies, which is a more sustainable use of the land.
“As well as growing food, I want to make it a beautiful location for photography and video, as well as a practical teaching space for the videos I produce.”
With a four-page to-do list but armed with only a shovel, Ms Rodriguez jumped at the chance to enter JohnDeere’s Content Creator Competition, which offered one lucky winner the free use of a compact utility tractor and ZTrakTM Zero-Turn Mower for six months, to tackle their property projects while making fun videos along the way.
Her 60-second entry video stood out to the judges.
“We really enjoyed seeing the creativity and enthusiasm all the entrants put into their videos,” John DeereAustralia and New Zealand Small Ag & Turf Marketing Manager, Erin Wagstaff, said.
“We can see huge potential in Phaedra’s property and she has some fantastic ideas which we’re keen to help bring to life. On top of that, she’s engaging in front of the camera and very accomplished behind it. We’re excited to share her property transformation with our Australian audience.
“In New Zealand, we have been doing some work with breakfast radio host, Vaughan Smith, and people have really enjoyed seeing the results he’s achieved on his property using our equipment. We think Phaedra is the perfect Australian counterpart to Vaughan.”
The team from the Hutcheon & Pearce John Deere dealership in Albury delivered the new equipment to Phaedra’s property last week, with Vaughan on-hand for the surprise.
“I actually can’t believe it – I think I’m going to cry!” Ms Rodriguez said.
“We’ve spent four years working on the property and our bodies are tired – we’re ready for the tractor to do the work!”
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