NEWS RELEASE 14 March, 2025
Budding content creator new face of John Deere
Crestmead, Queensland (14 March, 2025) — 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 John Deere's Content Creator Competition, which offered one lucky winner the free use of a compact utility tractor and ZTrak™ 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.
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Phaedra Rodriguez from Yackandandah in northeast Victoria is the winner of John Deere's Australian Content Creator competition.
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Phaedra Rodriguez with Vaughan Smith, New Zealand radio broadcaster and face of John Deere lifestyle equipment in New Zealand.
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Phaedra's long list of jobs around her property will be completed with the help of a John Deere 4044R tractor and a ZTrak™ Zero-Turn Mower.
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Phaedra learning the ropes of the John Deere equipment before she starts using the machinery to complete her projects.
"We really enjoyed seeing the creativity and enthusiasm all the entrants put into their videos," John Deere Australia 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!"
To follow Phaedra's journey, follow her on YouTube or Instagram.
About John Deere:
Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, golf & turf, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what's possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including the John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor and See & Spray™ are just two of the ways we help meet the world's increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at JohnDeere.com or in Australia at JohnDeere.com.au.
Media enquiries:
Matt Wordsworth
matt.wordsworth@bluehillpr.com.au
0404 029 241
Kate Scott
kate.scott@bluehillpr.com.au
0438 389 092
