Meet the Staff
Naomi Scholz, Executive Officer
Diploma of Agribusiness Management, Diploma of Project Management
An advocate for small rural communities, elected member for Wudinna District Council and position holder on several not-for-profit community and sporting groups.
Past experience includes more than 10 years agricultural RD&E project management with SARDI based at Minnipa Agricultural Centre, including coordination of several GRDC major projects including the Dryland Legume Pasture Systems project and the Stubble Initiative, and delivery of programs such as Grain & Graze and the Water Use Initiative on Eyre Peninsula. Prior to this, 10 years with Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula as Landcare Officer and project manager.
Contact Naomi at eo@airep.com.au
Alanna Barns, Finance Officer
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting
Chartered Accountant living on a cereal cropping farming property North of Wudinna with husband and 2 children. More than 20 years working as an accountant both in Adelaide and currently Port Lincoln. Various treasurer/finance positions held for local sporting, education, and community organisations.
Contact Alanna at finance@airep.com.au
Amy Wright, Sustainable Agricultural Facilitator
Bachelor of Agriculture
With her home base in Kimba, Amy has a passion for agriculture with experience working as an Agronomist on the upper Eyre Peninsula, and brings with her a great scope of knowledge. Her role as Sustainable Agricultural Facilitator allows her to work with and support a range of agricultural activities across the EP. Allowing a constant flow of up to date information to help farmers and industry adopt sustainable practices.
The SAF role also performs services that support Regional Capacity Services and other climate-smart, sustainable agriculture related project services. The SAF shares similarities with the recently completed RALF (Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator) which wrapped up in 2023.
Through the EP Landscape Board, AIR EP is hosting the position from 2024-2028.
Contact Amy at amy.wright@airep.com.au
Rowena Norris, Operations Manager
We are pleased to announce that Rowena Norris has been appointed to the new position of Operations Manager. Born and raised on a mixed farm near Cowell, Rowena has spent more than 20 years in the corporate agriculture and horticulture sectors in Adelaide and Mildura. She has performed at various management levels in client relationship and industry development roles and is passionate about supporting primary producers in adopting new practices and technology.
In addition to her corporate experience, Rowena farms with her father, partner and two young children at Miltalie, near Cowell.
Contact Rowena at rowena.norris@airep.com.au
Rebekah Fatchen, Project Officer
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Rebekah has been employed by AIR EP as Project Officer, commencing in March 2023 after completing the AIR EP SAGIT Funded Internship in applied grains research in 2022 at EPAG Research in Port Lincoln.
Rebekah comes from a family farm at Ungarra and graduated from a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at University of Adelaide in 2021. She is interested in all aspects of grains agriculture and rural communities, especially on the Eyre Peninsula.
Contact Bek at projectofficer@airep.com.au