Nathan Straume

Nathan Straume, TerraCottem Brand Ambassador for Australia and New Zealand, is a qualified Horticulturalist / Arborist / Landscaper / Green Keeper and sports enthusiast who believes that healthy soils are critical to healthy plants and healthy communities. As a leading advocate for healthy soils, Nathan is passionate about educating the public on soils and the environment and contributing to the growing horticultural industry through education, training, and his work for TerraCottem.

Nathan’s daily work consists of meeting clients, hosting trials, and speaking at various events, which involves much travelling.

If you could share one best tip on travelling, what would it be?

"Take Carry On whenever you can. Try avoiding check-in baggage."

How did you get into your job at TerraCottem?

"After leaving the Horticultural Industry in 2006, I started teaching Horticulture at TAFE. TerraCottem approached me to facilitate their unique workshop for clients of TerraCottem. Then in 2014, I approached TerraCottem and offered to build the Victorian/Tasmanian market. A few years later, I was given Queensland to manage also. Now I manage Australia and New Zealand with movement into markets like Singapore and USA."

What is the best professional advice you’ve ever received?

"Too many, but the one that sticks out is “Do the job right the first time”."

What is your favourite aspect of your work?

"Visiting clients old and new and hearing their stories, I am amazed by the people surrounding me in TerraCottem and their clientele."

Do any book recommendations for those who want to learn about soil and soil health?

"‘Soils for Landscape Development’ by Leake & Haege. It changed the way I hold a conversation and explains soil to people. It gave me a deeper understanding of soils."

If you could represent yourself through one meme… which would it be?