New board members bring fresh perspectives, connections to AIR EP

AIR EP Executive Officer Naomi Scholz said the new members would bring diverse skills, knowledge and understanding of the EP’s agricultural industry to complement the board’s existing expertise.

“Both Jake and Marty bring with them a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our farming communities across the EP, as well as a wealth of knowledge and experience in research and development, farm management and project development,” Ms Scholz said.

“Together with our other continuing board members, they will provide leadership and direction to progress our research and innovation priorities for agriculture across the Eyre Peninsula.”

Based at Streaky Bay on the West Coast, Jake Hull is senior agronomist at Nutrien West Coast Ag, maintaining extensive experience in on-farm research on the EP. Working in a low rainfall environment, Jake understands the importance of balancing technical detail with financial outcomes for farming businesses and has developed specific tools to assist farmers in making informed, financially sound decisions. In addition to his new role on the AIR EP Board, Jake has been a member of the AIR EP Low Rainfall RD&E Committee since August 2024.

Marty Lovegrove shares his time between managing his family farm near Rudall, and as owner, director and chair of local independent agricultural retail business, Cleve Rural Traders. Following university, Marty spent several years working in various roles, including the barley breeding team at SARDI, gaining valuable experience in project development and management. In 2023, Marty was named a National Winner of the Syngenta Growth Award in the category of productivity, in recognition of his contribution to agriculture.

They join existing AIR EP Board Members, Bill Long (Chair), Dan Adams, Mark Stanley, Greg Arthur, Mary Rowe and Denis Pedler.

In addition to electing the board, special resolutions 6.2(a)(i), 3(b) and 3(d) to change the constitution were also passed at the AGM. AIR EP will administer these changes to the constitution accordingly.

Ms Scholz said the meeting recognised the contributions of retiring members Ken Webber and Matthew Cook.

“Ken is a familiar face to many on the EP and beyond and has served on our board since 2020,” Ms Scholz said.

“Having ‘driven up every driveway on the EP’, as he likes to remind us, Ken has provided comic relief to most farmers and industry stakeholders for 30+ years in his previous roles in chemical sales.”

A former member of the AIR EP Medium Rainfall RD&E Committee and LEADA, Ken has always maintained a strong desire to see research developed, adopted and trialled for the benefit of farmers and the broader ag sector. Most recently, Ken has been instrumental in collaborating with local groups to advocate for a Doppler radar for the Eyre Peninsula.

Matt has been instrumental in his role on the AIR EP Board as both the Low Rainfall RD&E Committee Representative and Public Officer.

“Passionate about the future of agricultural research and rural communities on the Eyre Peninsula, Matt has provided strategic leadership to the Upper EP ag sector through his involvement with EPARF, the Wudinna District Council and as a local farmer at Condada (near Minnipa),” Ms Scholz said.

“We are thankful to both Ken and Matt for their contributions to furthering the development of agricultural research and innovation across the EP by sharing their extensive professional knowledge and skills with our board and members during their recent terms.”

AIR EP is now looking ahead to its next priority projects, which include the launch the new 2026-2030 Strategic Plan in the coming months.

To stay up to date, subscribe to the AIR EP Newsletter or become a member via online at www.airep.com.au.

Find out more about our board on our website: www.airep.com.au/about/meet_the_board/. For more information about what AIR EP achieved in 2024-2025, check out the AIR EP Annual Report.