AIR EP Anniversary | Celebrating 5 Years of Growth, Innovation & Community
This week marks a significant milestone in the AIR EP journey—our 5 year anniversary.
Officially incorporated on 26 May 2020, Agricultural Innovation & Research Eyre Peninsula (AIR EP) was formed with a vision to create a single entity for farmer driven applied agricultural research, innovation and extension on the Eyre Peninsula.
Following the amalgamation of farming systems groups Eyre Peninsula Agricultural Research Foundation (EPARF) and the Lower Eyre Ag Development Association (LEADA), AIR EP has moved forward in leaps and bounds to become a thriving farmer-led organisation, fuelled by innovation, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Over the past five years, AIR EP has not only grown in size, but in strength.
In speaking about the journey of AIR EP to date, Chair Bill Long says “having a skills-based Board with strategic planning, legal, accounting, human resource, project management and engagement experience, has been critical to the successful evolution of the organisation. This enables us to make considered strategic decisions that benefit local farmers and the broader agricultural community.
We have excellent staff that maintain a diverse range of skills and experience, which sees AIR EP easily engage with our extensive range of industry stakeholders, while delivering results to both our farming network and funding organisations we deal with”.
Maintaining positive partnerships is something AIR EP Executive Officer, Naomi Scholz is especially proud of.
“Farmers are instrumental to our organisation. Not only do they provide strategic direction at Board and Committee level, but they are our highest priority when planning local trials, research extension activities and regional events".
Ms Scholz continues 'to continue supporting the farming community, our team continues to develop and strengthen relationships with a wide range of organisations and delivery partners. We have excellent long-term relationships with our local researchers, EPAG Research and the SARDI Minnipa Agricultural Centre, funding partner Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board, as well as several national funding agencies.
We are working to increase connectivity with independent advisors and local reseller networks, as we recognise the vital role they play in the decision making within farming businesses. They provide valuable feedback regarding grower needs and with them, we work to provide support for meaningful research to help explore new ideas and increase the speed of adoption of new practices.
Sponsors and members play a vital role in supporting the work of AIR EP, and I would like to thank you all for your continued support. We are privileged that many of our current sponsors and members have been with us since we formed and we look forward to working with everyone, whether new or existing, into the future”.
In addition, the ongoing commitment and input from the Low and Medium Rainfall RD&E Committees has been instrumental to the prioritisation of research, development and extension across the upper and lower regions of Eyre Peninsula.
Each committee forms the backbone of the organisation, as they are tasked to identify research questions for their rainfall zones, provide input to trial locations and designs, and review research as it progresses. Independent agronomists and farmers form these committees, which provide a great cross section of skills and experience in all aspects of local agriculture.
In August, the AIR EP Board will commence planning to develop the new Strategic Plan for release in 2026. The process will extensively review the existing plan, and identify new opportunities for investment in agricultural research for our region.
In reviewing funding achievements to date, the total project investment managed by AIR EP over the 5 year period is as follows:
• 30 current projects valued at $5,960,000
• 38 completed projects valued at $3,960,000
• Total project investment for Eyre Peninsula – $9,920,000
A diverse range of projects have delivered benefits to EP farmers through:
• Soil health and production improvements due to soil amelioration methods on low production areas
• Increased gross margins due to incorporation of lentils into EP production systems
• Demonstrating opportunities in virtual fencing technology for future land management
• Research strategies and decision-making tools to mitigate frost for the improvement of EP farming systems
• Supporting farmers to address issues such as magnesia patches, Mallee seeps and acid soils
• Bringing subject experts to the region to challenge our thinking and help us identify opportunities for growth
• Ongoing development of an extensive Young Farmer (under 35) Networks across the region
To view our extensive list of projects, visit the AIR EP website https://airep.com.au/research-project-list/
AIR EP is a strong advocate in providing support for training of industry participants/research staff to improve facilitation and extension skills, extend networking opportunities and look after themselves when times are tough.
A key objective within the existing AIR EP Strategic Plan is to increase the research capacity on Eyre Peninsula. We value this investment highly. To meet this objective, AIR EP has led a successful intern program, recently securing funding from the South Australian Grains Industry Trust (SAGIT) and the SA Drought Hub for a fifth year.
Expressions of interest are now open for a 2026 Grains Research Intern, so please reach out to us if you are interested in hearing more about the program.
In reflecting on the last 5 years, Naomi says “On behalf of our team, I wish to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey—our employees, farmers, members, sponsors, researchers, project partners and supporters.
As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue making a positive impact for agricultural research, innovation and extension on the Eyre Peninsula. I’m privileged to lead such a great organisation, and with continued farmer support, we will be better positioned to respond to any agronomic challenges Eyre Peninsula farmers will face in the future.
Here’s to the next five years—and many more to come!”
