Tasmanian Climate-Smart Agriculture Conference

Rupert Posner, Climateworks

Rupert leads sustainable economies, supporting the development of net zero strategies and aligned policy. This team encourages green economic diversification, with consideration of economic and development co-benefits that the shift towards sustainable economies can deliver.

Prof David Bowman, UTAS

Professor Bowman holds a research chair in Pyrogeography and Fire Science in the School of Natural Sciences at UTAS and is an Honorary Professor of Archaeology and Natural History at the ANU. He has research fellowships at a range of university around the world (Harvard USA, Oxford UK, Kyoto Japan, Arizona USA, Leeds UK, UBC Canada). He co-authored the textbook ‘Fire on Earth – an introduction’ and is a global leader in his field.

Lorraine Gordon, SCU

Lorraine is the Director of Strategic Projects at Southern Cross University (SCU), Associate Director of SCU’s Centre for Organic Research, and is the founder of the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance also based at SCU. Lorraine acts as a conduit between industry and research, delivering sustainable and regenerative agriculture solutions nationally. Lorraine was awarded the 2018 Rural Community Leader of the Year for Australia for her work with farmers.

Theresa Chapman, Agriprove

Theresa is a soil ecologist currently completing a PhD on diversity and function in cover crops, and their effect on soil biology. She is also supporting carbon projects in Tasmania for AgriProve. She is passionate about sustainable agriculture and agroecology.

Jason Lynch, Pinion Advisory

Jason is a senior consultant at Pinion Advisory, with over 20 years’ experience in production agronomy, various aspects of grazing management and property development. He works with clients to improve the profitability and sustainability of a diverse range of agricultural production systems including pastoral, cropping and horticultural enterprises.

Associate Prof Matthew Harrison, TIA

Associate Professor Matthew Harrison is Systems Modelling Team Leader at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) in Burnie, Tasmania. Matthew is internationally renowned for his work in improving the sustainability of agricultural systems through the development of innovative economic, environmental and social solutions to demand-driven problems.

Ben Slingsby, NRM North 

Ben has more than 14 year’s experience in natural resource management in the public, private and vocational education sectors in Queensland, Victoria and NSW. His interests include sustainable agriculture, vegetation management, pest control, aquatic ecosystems and riparian management, biodiversity and the protection of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in the landscape. Ben has a passion for engaging with communities and has worked closely with primary producers, Aboriginal Communities and agencies to manage natural and cultural landscapes sustainably.

Iain and Kate Field, Leap Farm

Iain and Kate Field operate Leap Farm at Copping where they breed dairy goats and make cheese in a compact dairy. In 2021, Leap Farm became carbon positive, sequestering three times as much carbon in the soil than it emits.

Charlie Prell, Chair of Farmers for Climate Action

Charlie Prell is the Chair of Farmers for Climate Action and was the NSW Regional Organiser for the Australian Wind Alliance for five years. Charlie is a fourth-generation family farmer from Crookwell in NSW. He is passionate about farming and the need for strong action on climate change in Australia.

John McKew, TFGA

John McKew is the Chief Executive Officer at Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association. He has over nine years of board level experience across the commercial and not-for-profit sectors in the finance, manufacturing, technology, FMCG, agriculture and primary production industries.

Felicity Richards, Emcee