Knowledge Broker – South Australian Drought Hub
Appointment of Inaugural Knowledge Broker announced in the roll out of South Australian Drought Hub
Ag Excellence has engaged Mr Tony Randall in the pivotal role of Knowledge Broker commencing early September 2021. This appointment is critical in contributing to the success of the newly formed South Australian Drought Adoption and Innovation Hub.
The SA Drought Hub is a collaborative initiative led by the University of Adelaide as part of the Federal Government’s Drought Resilience Research and Adoption Program. The SA Drought Hub works in partnership with a network of major SA regional grower groups, all three SA universities, local, state and federal government agencies, advocacy groups, indigenous programs, agribusinesses, industry RD&E partners and industry organisations.
“Ag Ex is thrilled to be part of this major innovative project which is set to make a significant impact on the agricultural industry both within South Australia and nationally”, said Leet Wilksch, Ag Ex Chair.
Mr Randall joins the broader drought hub team in providing linkages and collaboration across the agricultural industry with the aim of driving innovation and adoption of new practices and products. These initiatives will also complement and feed into the national network of Knowledge Brokers.
“I have a passion for facilitating sustainable land management within the agricultural sector and consider preparedness and resilience to drought to be central to achieving this. I bring extensive experience working in agricultural extension, sustainable farming, soils management, biosecurity, quarantine, community engagement, environmental conservation, business development, and organisational management”, said Mr Randall.
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Funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund
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Date: Until June 2024
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Project Lead: Tony Randall
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Budget: $659,000
About the Hub
The Drought Hub is 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 in the Mid North 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.
A Stakeholder Advisory Group comprising regional partner organisations and industry leaders is attached to each Node.
The Hub has an Advisory Board to advise the Director on strategic directions and meeting the needs of local agricultural industries. The Advisory Board has an independent chair and includes representation from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), the University of Adelaide, Ag Excellence Alliance, key agriculture commodity representative groups, Local Government Association, Landscape SA and appropriate State Government Agencies.
The University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy campus houses the Hub headquarters, interacting with the University’s Waite and North Terrace campuses. The Roseworthy site is a central meeting point between Nodes and where both the Director and Knowledge Broker are based.
Nodes are located at Minnipa, Port Augusta, Orroroo, Loxton and Struan. The location of the Nodes ensures state-wide coverage of all pastoral, low, medium and high rainfall agricultural production zones.
The Nodes are a shopfront where farmers and community members can connect with drought resilience expertise.
The Nodes are an important part of the extension and adoption strategy of the SA Hub to achieve its vision of increasing adoption of drought preparedness tools, strategies and practices by primary producers.
Node Coordinators are based at each of the Nodes to enable them to be on the ground, working directly with our partners and primary producers to deliver project activities. Our Node Coordinators will be living in the communities, enabling them to have a greater understanding of the evolving needs of local partners and primary producers.
