Meet Our Team
The Ag Excellence Committee
Leet Wilksch
Chair
Leet is a researcher and Ag Technologist with a focus on integrating new data technology into farming businesses. After spending 14 years at Landmark as a research agronomist managing multiple trial sites, he started his business AGBYTE.
Leet has also enjoyed over 15 years of experience within the South Australian grower group network and he is an ardent advocate for Ag Ex and the broader industry. He has a passion for food and energy self-sufficiency on the small farm he resides at with his family.
David Evans
Vice Chair
David lives and breathes agriculture and agribusiness and has experience in farm management, livestock agency, rural training, grain marketing, and industry advocacy. He has had significant involvement with farming systems groups over a long period as a member, trainer, and sponsor. David believes that farmers learn best from their peers in a practical and informal setting where what is being taught is relevant and can be clearly seen and demonstrated. He believes that the value of groups as the basis for community support networks cannot be underestimated.
Naomi Scholz
Treasurer
Naomi brings a wealth of experience in RD&E project management having spent more than a decade with SARDI at the Minnipa Agricultural Centre. Leading projects during this time included the Dryland Legume Pasture Systems project and the Stubble initiative.
Most recently she was appointed as Executive Officer of newly formed Ag Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP). An amalgamation of Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation (EPARF) and Lower Eyre Agriculture Development Association (LEADA), AIR EP represents the entire region playing an integral role in the planning and delivery of independent RD&E.
Mark Stanley
Executive Officer
Mark operates Regional Connections, established in 2012, providing professional services across regional Australia in the development, management and delivery of projects focused on natural resource management, climate change planning and adaptation, and sustainable agriculture.
With extensive experience working across government, R&D organisations, universities, farmer groups and NRM organisations, Mark brings a strong understanding of collaborative regional networks. He has also provided strategic executive support to the Ag Excellence Alliance for the past decade.
Rachel May
Farming Systems Specialist - Adoption Officer
Rachel has worked closely with many community, farming systems and landcare groups on Eyre Peninsula, Adelaide Hill’s and the Murray Darling Basin regions, both in technical roles as well as project development, management and extension. In addition, she has also operated her grain and fodder business in the Adelaide Hills.
With over 25 years of experience, Rachel brings an enormous amount of skill and knowledge to the Farming Systems Specialist role. A newly created position within the SA Drought Hub, Rachel plays an integral role in faciitating and developing relationships and networks to provide linkages and collaborative opportunities within the agricultural industry. For more info visit the project web page.
Emma McInerney
Climate Smart Facilitator
Tony Randall
Knowledge Broker
Tony Randall has more than 20 years of experience working within agricultural and natural resources management industries in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Tony has worked extensively in the not-for-profit sector as both a project officer and in leadership and management roles.
Tony works closely with the SA Drought Hub, a dynamic network of primary producers, industry groups, researchers, government agencies, universities, agribusiness, traditional owners, and others to work towards a common vision to strengthen the drought resilience and preparedness of our farms and regional communities in South Australia. For more info visit the project web page.
Kerry Stockman
Administration Manager
Kerry has been a valued member of the Ag Ex team for more than a decade and plays an integral role in the organisation’s operations. She brings extensive experience from the wine and tourism industries, contributing strong communication, coordination and stakeholder engagement skills to the Ag Ex network.
Alongside her professional role, Kerry owns and manages a farm business with her husband John. This hands-on experience provides valuable insight into the realities of farming and a deep appreciation for the resilience, innovation and opportunities that underpin thriving farming businesses.
Demi Taylor
Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting & Learning Adoption Officer
Brett Bartel
Committee Member
Brett is a Director in the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and represents the agency on the Ag Excellence committee.
In his role at PIRSA Brett leads PIRSA's bushfire, drought, and other adverse event/disaster recovery programs. He also has responsibilities in the areas of climate change, natural resources management and agriculture extension.
Brett has been working agriculture extension field for over 20 years and has an in-depth understanding of regional Australia and strives to create sustainable regions by bridging the interface between industries and stakeholders.
Paige Cross
Committee Member
Paige has nearly 20 years of experience working within the agricultural and finance sectors throughout Southern and Eastern Australia. Paige is currently managing multiple projects for Mallee Sustainable Farming and was the recent project manager of AgRi-Silience for the Coo-ee Collective, delivered on behalf of Livestock SA. Prior to returning to SA in 2019, Paige managed several multi-stakeholder projects in Victoria and was the Agribusiness Development Officer for Southern Grampians Shire Council. Paige also worked for Nab Agribusiness for 8 years.
Paige has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agronomy), a Cert IV Training and Assessment, is an accredited ChemCert trainer and has an active involvement with her family farm in the Mid North.
Jay Cummins
Committee Member
Jay brings national and global experience in developing agricultural extension and communication systems for farmers. He has practical experience in developing on-farm-focused extension and communications projects, practical on-farm decision support tools, and communication resources.
Jay is currently managing a range of Future Drought Fund projects on a contract basis with Mallee Sustainable Farming and is actively engaged in GRDC's new flagship RiskWI$E risk management project management project initiative.
Sandy Haskell
Committee Member
Sandy has been the Executive Officer of the Hart Field Site Group since 2008. She has background in business management, finance and administration and also has 25 years of experience in the management of broad-acre farming and vineyard enterprises in the Clare Valley.
Sandy has board and committee experience in both a paid and voluntary capacity. She is passionate about ag extension and communications and working with people from across all areas of ag, including farmers, researchers, media and other industry professionals. She's also a photography enthusiast in her spare time.
Alice Morley
Committee Member
She brings extensive experience across the agriculture, mining and financial services sectors, with a strong passion for supporting Australian farmers. With nearly 30 years working in agriculture across agronomy, animal health, finance and consulting, she is committed to helping farm businesses improve productivity, resilience and sustainability.
Her experience also includes managing operations within a family earthmoving and crushing business, overseeing compliance, accreditations, contracts, mining approvals and rehabilitation programs. She also holds Diplomas in Financial Services (Financial Planning and Finance/Mortgage Broking Management) and has worked in mortgage broking, grant writing, agricultural business planning.
Jade Rose
Committee Member
Jade is a research scientist working in the grains industry with expertise in plant pathology, soil science and general agronomy. She is passionate about applied research and supporting extension and knowledge sharing that improves the sustainability, profitability and long-term viability of farm businesses.
She is particularly interested in strengthening connections across the agricultural community, bringing farmers, agronomists and researchers together to share knowledge and build capacity.
Jade is also involved in the management and coordination of the Ag Ex-led project Stress Testing Regenerative Agricultural Practices, exploring regenerative cropping and pasture systems to strengthen drought resilience in dryland farming systems across southern Australia.
Tim Smythe
Committee Member
Tim commenced as Chief Executive Officer of Mallee Sustainable Farming in 2025, after joining the organisation in November 2023 to lead Program Management. He brings experience across State and Local Government, along with a technical background in viticulture management and wine industry development.
Tim takes a systems-based approach to complex challenges, with a focus on collaboration and translating ideas into practical outcomes for farming communities.
Based in Loxton, Tim lives with his wife Margot and their two sons and is committed to supporting Mallee farmers and communities to thrive through innovation, connection and long-term sustainability.
Would you like to join the Ag Excellence Alliance Committee?
Nominations, space permitting, can be submitted leading up to the Annual General Meeting by completing the below online form.