Young agribusiness professional and rural advocate, South Australia’s Alex Milner-Smyth has been named as ambassador of the national Art4Agriculture Young Farming Champions (YFC) program.
Now in its fourth successful year, the Art4Agticulture YFC program aims to create a nation-wide network of young farming professionals and build their capacity to promote Australian agriculture as a dynamic, innovative, and rewarding industry.
The program provides training and development for young people involved in agriculture, positioning them as food and fibre industry advocates to actively engage with students in city based schools, using Art4Agriculture programs like the Archibull Prize as a platform.
As official ambassador, 32-year-old Alex will play a role in promoting and supporting the Art4Agriculture YFC program throughout the year.
Based in SA’s Riverland region Alex is managing director and CEO of Rustic Evolutions, a professional media, marketing and event management company aimed specifically to the agricultural sector. Alex’s entrepreneurial drive has secured clients such as the Australian Controlled Traffic Farming Association, online rural merchandisers The Farm Co, and SA horticultural group Hortex.
Alex has spent more than 10 years working in agriculture and agribusiness, with employers including Elders, Landmark and most recently as the executive officer for the South Australian No-Till Farmer’s Association.
In 2012 Alex was awarded the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia’s Rural Youth Bursary to undertake a study tour of the USA, investigating the potential of cover cropping.
Alex says she’d loved to see more young people applying for programs such as the Art4Ag YFC and Rural Youth Bursary which can “really open doors for people at the beginning of their careers.”
“Opportunities like those provided by Art4Ag better connect young people with the industry they work in,” she says. “This leads to personal career development and also fosters a more inclusive industry and culture.
“The next generation is going to play an important role in the future of agriculture and I hope to increase awareness of the support that’s available for them.”
Alex will be presenting on her US study tour findings and officially announce her ambassadorship at the Yorke and Mid North ABARES Regional Outlook conference, this Thursday 12 June, at Coopers Alehouse, Wallaroo. Alex presentation is titled ‘Valuing cover crops or “don’t farm naked”!
For more information on the Art4Agriculture programs visit: www.art4agriculture.com.au
For Interviews
Contact
Lynne Strong E: lynnestrong@art4agriculture.com.au
Alex Milner-Smyth, Managing Director and CEO, Rustic Evolutions
E: alex@rusticevolutions.com.au
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