Fresh Face in the GGA
May 29, 2009
A turnover of staff at the Grower Group Alliance (GGA) is set to bring about exciting new changes to the non-profit, farmer driven organisation.
Susan Hall will now fill the GGA project leader role, after former project leader Tracey Gianatti left on parental leave in May. Tracey had been with the project since its inception in 2002.
Megan Meates has joined the team as a project officer, and will work closely with Susan on GGA project activities.
The changes will be overseen by the project's Strategic Advisory Group, consisting of representatives from four grower groups, UWA, the Department of Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, an agronomist and the project supervisors, who ensure the project remains relevant to industry needs.
As the new leader of the Grower Group Alliance, Susan said she was excited about the challenges ahead.
"After more than 18 months of working with the GGA, I can still see potential for improved communication networks between grower groups," she said.
"Working on enhancing the effectiveness of grower groups is an ongoing process, and there is much more we can do to enhance participation of farmer groups in collaborative projects."
The staff turnover comes as the project undergoes independent evaluation to measure the impact the GGA has had on farmer groups in the past three years. Results from this will be used to guide project activities in the future.
Megan has lived in Geraldton for the past year as a rural journalist for the Countryman, Geraldton Guardian and Mid West Times. In this role, she aimed to have as many mid-west farmers featured in the newspapers as possible.
She completed an Animal Science degree at UWA in 2005 and, even though not from a farming background, has since developed a passion for working in the agricultural industry.
Packing away the notebook and camera, Megan hopes her skills will be put to good use with the GGA, with tasks including editing the monthly e-newsletter, Newswire, the Calendar of Events and helping plan the GGA Annual Forum in August.
She is also looking forward to meeting researchers, industry partners and growers from the 45 GGA grower group members, located from the northern tip of the wheatbelt in Binnu, Bodallin in the east, and south east to Esperance.
The GGA aims to connect grower groups, research organisations and agribusiness in a network across WA. It is funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation and managed by the Mingenew-Irwin Group, with staff situated within the Institute of Agriculture at UWA.
For more information, contact Susan Hall, P: 6488 7937, E: sahall@fnas.uwa.edu.au, or visit http://www.gga.org.au/.
CAPTION: GGA's project officer Megan Meates with GGA's project leader Susan Hall
