Appointment of inaugural Farming Systems Specialist
Rachel May has been appointed by Ag Excellence Alliance in the key role of Farming Systems Specialist – Adoption for the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.
Ms May commenced the new role on 8 August, attending the premier Ag Excellence Forum and Awards.
The appointment will contribute to the success of the SA Drought Hub – one of eight Hubs established across the nation through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Led by the University of Adelaide, the SA Drought Hub comprises the core hub at Roseworthy and five regional nodes at Minnipa on Eyre Peninsula, Port Augusta in the Far North, Orroroo in the Upper North, Loxton in the Riverland and Struan in the South East.
The Hub consists of a comprehensive and dynamic network of 59 industry partners, including grower groups; the three South Australian-based universities; government agencies; indigenous partners; agribusinesses; research, development and extension partners; and various industry organisations.
“The Ag Ex Committee has welcomed the endorsement of the University of Adelaide and Primary Industries and Regions SA of the good work already being undertaken by Knowledge Broker Tony Randall, and the significant opportunity it provides to expand the Ag Ex team”, said Leet Wilksch, Ag Ex Chair.
Ms May described her appointment as “an exciting opportunity to engage with growers on the ground, as well as farming systems groups and industry stakeholders to further strengthen the momentum already gained in drought resilience activities.
I am really looking forward to assisting in farmer change to enable farmers to be able to prepare for the changing environment that climate change brings”.
Ms May will join the broader Drought Hub team, working closely with the Hub Knowledge Broker, Regional Node Coordinators, research organisations, reseller organisations and Farming Systems groups. She will be assisting in the development and facilitating of appropriate networks among research providers and industry with the goal of supporting the growth of regionally coordinated approaches to extension and adoption.