2. From Farm Kid to “No-Till Bill”: The Journey of Bill Crabtree

In this episode, Cathy McKenna interviews Bill Crabtree - better known as No-Till Bill about his remarkable journey from growing up on a family farm in WA’s Wheatbelt to becoming a global leader in no-till agriculture. Bill shares personal stories of life as one of ten children, early lessons on tractors and soil, and the challenges of studying and working in agriculture at a time of massive change.

Together, Bill and Cathy explore the science of soil health, the revolution of no-tillage farming, the role of trace elements, and the resilience required to adapt through droughts, dust storms, and market crashes. They also reflect on global farming practices from Canada to Brazil, and how Australian agriculture continues to innovate and inspire.

Whether you’re a grower, agronomist, or simply curious about the people behind farming’s biggest shifts, this candid conversation is part history lesson, part masterclass and proof that challenging the status quo can change the future of agriculture.