Two new trustees set to join SAGIT

Lou is a grain grower at Lameroo, where she farms with her partner Andy, their three children and her parents Janet and Gary. She has previously worked as an agronomist and has been a member of the GRDC Southern Panel. She is currently undertaking governance and leadership training through the GrainGrowers OnBoard program.

Felicity is based in the upper South East where she farms with her husband Mark. She has experience in managing research and development projects and extension for organisations such as Ag Excellence Alliance, MacKillop Farm Management Group, Southern Farming Systems, Mallee Sustainable Farming and Women Together Learning.

SAGIT Chair Dr Andrew Barr said the decision was made to appoint both candidates following Max Young’s retirement earlier this year and fellow trustee Ted Langley’s term with SAGIT set to end in early 2025.

“We saw this as an opportunity to do some forward planning and lock in both of these exceptional candidates as trustees,” he said.

“We are looking forward to working with both Lou and Felicity. They are extremely dedicated and enthusiastic about agriculture and will bring unique experience and perspectives to the trust.”

GPSA Chair John Gladigau said GPSA welcomed the appointments of Lou and Felicity as trustees of SAGIT.

“We believe the wealth of experience both Lou and Felicity bring with their research backgrounds along with their personal farm business experience will be invaluable as SAGIT continues to deliver positive results for SA grain growers,” he said.

“SAGIT has a long history of providing quality research specific to the SA cropping environment, which has been led by a dedicated and passionate board of trustees which will only be enhanced by the appointments of Lou and Felicity.

“We wish them and SAGIT well and are excited by the future outcomes we will see for SA grain growers.”

Lou said she is passionate about the agricultural community, its people and the role it plays.

“Innovation is critical to stay in business and remain profitable, and I believe the role SAGIT plays within this industry is key to that,” she said.

Felicity said she valued SAGIT’s capacity to respond to localised issues and was looking forward to contributing as a trustee.

“I am passionate about sustainable agricultural systems and ensuring farmers are equipped with the tools, technologies, skills and knowledge they need to remain profitable in a rapidly changing environment,” she said.