Director
Dr Stephen Lee has a wealth of expertise and experience in developing collaborative research and development programs that drive productivity and profitability within the livestock industry, and is eager to extend that experience to agriculture more broadly. Stephen was previously Partnerships Manager for the University of Adelaide’s Davies Livestock Research Centre.

E stephen.lee@adelaide.edu.au
M 0421 570 630

Deputy Director
Associate Professor Rhiannon Schilling is the Program Leader of Agronomy at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), a division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), and is an Affiliate Lecturer at The University of Adelaide.

E rhiannon.schilling@sa.gov.au
M 0407 815 199

Manager
Kylie Piper has worked for more than 15 years in not-for-profit management in science and natural resource management across Australia. She has extensive experience in project management and administering state and federal government grant programs.

E kylie.piper@adelaide.edu.au
M 0410 555 651

Regional Soils Coordinator
Lucy Porter will be working with regional soil service providers to develop a plan that identifies regional soil issues, activities and capabilities, barriers to adoption, and opportunities to collaborate to deliver more integrated and targeted soils services to farmers and regional farming communities.

E lucy.porter@adelaide.edu.au
M 0488 551 731

Livestock Technical Specialist Adoption Officer
Dr Penny Schulz is an expert in AgTech adoption, livestock genetics and sustainable farming systems. She has worked as a lecturer and livestock consultant, delivering projects to industry and holding a range of board and advisory roles. Penny also runs a sheep and cattle operation in the Limestone Coast region with her husband Jason.

E penny.schulz@adelaide.edu.au
M 0417 853 094

Livestock Technical Specialist Adoption Officer
Dr Hannah Griffiths is a registered veterinarian with a Masters in Sustainable Agriculture. Through the Livestock Research Centre at the University of Adelaide, Hannah works on livestock health, wellbeing and productivity, and relationships with management of soils and pastures within a farming system.

E hannah.griffiths@adelaide.edu.au
M 0458 403 390

SA Drought Hub Officer – Traineeship
Marni Griffiths has a Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Management and an Honours degree in Physical Geography from the University of Adelaide. Her Honours research explored the use of diatoms as indicators of water quality and drought. Marni works with researchers to facilitate on-ground activities that increase extension and adoption of research findings.

E marni.griffiths@sa.gov.au
M 0432 214 173

Regional Intern,
Hart Field-Site Group
Kaidy Morgan has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from the University of Adelaide and in 2022 completed her Honours at CSIRO. Having grown up on a family farm on the Eyre Peninsula, Kaidy is passionate about soil care strategies and promoting soil health with a ‘bottom-up’ perspective.

E kaidy@hartfieldsite.org.au
M 0409 390 558

Node Team Leader and
Loxton Node Coordinator

Zoe brings expertise in agricultural facilitation and engagement. Previously a Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator with the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, she has extensive networks in the region. Living on a cropping/sheep property with her husband and two sons, Zoe has first-hand experience of managing mixed farming enterprises during dry times.

E zoe.starkey2@sa.gov.au
M 0456 752 953

Minnipa and Port Augusta Nodes

Before joining the Hub full time, Fiona Tomney was a Research Officer with SARDI, focusing on dryland farming systems, especially annual legume pastures. Living on a sheep/wheat property with her husband and two sons, Fiona has first-hand experience of managing drought conditions. She is driven by sharing her knowledge to help others in a practical way.

E fiona.tomney@sa.gov.au
M 0459 857 691

Struan Node

Tamara Zerk has an Honours Degree in Agricultural Science specialising in grains research and plant breeding, and has worked in science education. Having lived in a farming community for over 15 years, Tamara is keen to develop networks with our partners, researchers and farmers, and providing opportunities for education, extension and adoption of drought-resilient practices.

E tamara.zerk@sa.gov.au
M 0400 765 043

Roseworthy Node

Rachel May has extensive experience working in agriculture and landcare across Eyre Peninsula and the Murray Darling Region of South Australia. Rachel has worked closely with many landcare and farming groups in project management, research and extension roles.

E rachel@agex.org.au
M 0457 929 998