Empowering the leaders who strengthen South Australia’s farming systems
December 23, 2025 | Demi Taylor
Empowering the leaders who strengthen South Australia’s farming systems
Across South Australia, grower groups are central to helping farmers navigate seasonal variability, adopt new practices, and stay connected with the latest research. Behind many of these groups is an Executive Officer (EO), managing the governance, coordination, communication, research, and extension. When these EOs are well supported, the impact ripples far beyond the organisation and directly to farmers and their communities.
That’s the foundation behind this capacity-building initiative supported by the SA Drought Hub, which is backing the people who keep South Australia’s farming systems network a success. Led by Ag Excellence Alliance (Ag Ex), the project ‘Supporting the Grower Group Executive Group Network to increase their capability to deliver drought resilient initiatives across SA‘ strengthens the Grower Group Executive Officer Network; a state-wide community of practice designed to build capability, confidence, and collaboration among the 21 groups involved.
The network hosts regular sessions where the EOs come together to share challenges and opportunities, compare approaches, and learn new skills. So far the groups have explored topics of advocacy, succession and workforce development, monitoring and evaluation, resource sharing, and other priority themes identified by the groups themselves, ensuring the content is both practical and relevant.
Led by Meg Bell of Coleraine Livestock Consulting, with Sally Klose of Mackillop Farm Management Group set to take on the facilitation role in 2026, the network has steadily matured in structure and momentum.
Feedback from participants highlights the value of this project, with EOs reporting increased confidence, clearer organisational processes, and stronger relationships across regions. Many noted that the benefits extend beyond individual development, influencing staff practices, project development, board and committee discussions, and community engagement. The network also provided a consistent statewide forum to compare approaches, troubleshoot challenges, and align activities, aiming to reduce duplication of research efforts and contribute to a more streamlined extension landscape for growers.
SA Drought Hub Knowledge Broker, Tony Randall, said the success of the EO Network demonstrates the importance of investing in the ‘connectors’ who translate research and innovation into on-farm outcomes.
“Executive Officers are one of the key pillars of South Australia’s farming systems network. By upskilling the people who coordinate research, events, and extension activities, we see a powerful flow-on effect into grower groups, and on-farm. Investing in EO capability accelerates adoption, strengthens practice change, and supports long-term drought resilience across the state”.
The SA Drought Hub remains committed to supporting SA’s strong, connected and innovative farming systems network, with ongoing capacity building for partner organisations to ensure key staff have the training, tools, and networks needed to help farming communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from drought.
The EO Network has shown what is possible when the people behind grower groups are supported; helping to strengthen not only individual organisations, but the overall resilience and vibrancy of rural communities across South Australia.
Further information
For insight into what the EOs are learning through this project, explore these practical M&E tips for grower groups from the recent monitoring and evaluation session with industry expert Denise Bewsell.
To enquire about the EO Network, please contact Ag Ex Alliance,
Learn more about how the Hub is further supporting capacity building through internships, sponsorships, adviser training, and other collaborations.
This project is supported by the SA Drought Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund (FDF).