New crop of Future Young Leaders selected for evoke^AG. 2023

As part of the 2023 evoke^AG.  Future Young Leaders Program seven young and emerging agricultural leaders will take to the main stage at evoke^AG. in Adelaide on 21-22 February 2023 to answer these questions (and more) challenging delegates perception of agriculture to inspire on-farm and industry wide change.  

• Matt Anderson | Coomoo Coomoo Creek, New South Wales
• Josie Clarke | Bellimbopinni, New South Wales
• Jack Cresswell | Dubbo, New South Wales
• Amy Ferguson | Sandon, Victoria (People’s Choice)
• Malkah Lara-Muckenschnabl | Melbourne, Victoria
• Keeley Lester | Cuckoo, Tasmania
• Isaac Mayer | Northbridge, New South Wales

Proudly supported by the 15 Rural Research and Development Corporations, through the Council of Rural RDCs, each evoke^AG. Future Young Leader will work with an industry professional as their mentor, refining their idea and presentation in the lead up to the evoke^AG. 2023 ‘Down to Earth’ event.

According to AgriFutures Australia, General Manager Communications and Capacity Building, Belinda Allitt: “The Program provides a rare opportunity for these very talented young people to voice their ideas in front of an international audience of investors, producers, corporates, researchers, government and industry.”

“It is a timely reminder that we can be optimistic and bold in how we think about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead. AgriFutures Australia is incredibly proud to support this program along with our RDC peers to empower the next generation of leaders and to start shaping the future of our industry,” she added.

Third generation cattle farmer Matt Anderson from Coomoo Coomoo Creek, New South Wales

For third generation cattle farmer and Future Young Leader Matt Anderson it’s opportune timing for his career and the industry.

“Right now, there is space and opportunity for young voices in the industry to come forward, and the Future Young Leaders Program and evoke^AG. provides that platform.”

His advice for young people in agriculture, or those interested in agriculture is to be curious.

“Get curious about the opportunities in the industry, test things out and, and push yourself in a different direction. Make the most of what’s coming. So, get out there, be heard, take the chance, and make the most of it,” says Matt.

Another in the 2023 cohort is Venezuelan born, and South Australian raised Malkah Lara-Muckenschnabl who is passionate about helping to facilitate career opportunities for young people in agriculture.

evokeAG 2023 Future Young Leader Malkah Lara-Muckenschnabl

“My mum and I migrated from overseas when I was quite young. Moving to a different country, learning a whole new language, it was difficult,” Malkah says.

“I’m passionate about making it easier for everyone to enter the agriculture industry and providing those opportunities.”

While it’s only early days, Malkah is excited to be part of the Program, and is enthusiastic about the connections and opportunities that being a Future Young leader has and will afford her.

“The networking has already been unreal and I’m excited to meet a lot more people. I’m looking forward to getting up on stage and sharing more about how I am working to attract young people into agriculture,” says Malkah.

Keeley Lester, a food and fibre production teacher in the far Northeast of Tasmania, echoes Malkah’s sentiment and is passionate about reframing young people’s perceptions of agriculture.

“Just because you study agriculture doesn’t mean you have to be a farmer. There is so much more to agriculture, and I am looking forward to exploring that further at evoke^AG”

Keeley Lester, a food and fibre production teacher from far Northeast Tasmania

According to Troy Setter, Chair of the Council of Rural RDCs the future for Australian agriculture is exciting and stronger than it has ever been.

“It’s important we support the next generation of young innovative leaders to build the capacity of our industry to pursue an exciting future,” said Troy.

The Future Young Leaders program gives young, passionate individuals from across Australia and New Zealand a platform to come forward and share their views, ideas, stories, passions, to deliver, develop, adopt and export agrifood innovation to the world.

The Future Young Leader 2023 cohort will attend the event as an evoke^AG. ambassador where they will have the opportunity to network, capacity build and showcase their idea in front of an audience on the main stage.

This will be followed by an exclusive ‘Future Young Leaders Evening’ aimed at facilitating conversations and connections between their cohort, partners, and industry leaders.

For more information about our 2023 evoke^AG. Future Young Leaders and to meet all of the 2023 cohort visit evokeag.com/future-young-leaders-2023

evoke^AG. 2023 will take place in Adelaide, South Australia on 21-22 February, 2023 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Bringing together the best and brightest together to talk about global agrifood innovation and tech they will explore how innovation and technology collide, intersect, connect, translate, complement, and challenge our most important assets – our people, our farms, our soil, our water and our Earth. Tickets for evoke^AG 2023 Down to Earth are now on sale here.

Sponsorship of the Future Young Leaders program is a collaboration between Australia’s 15 Research & Development Corporations (RDCs) through the Council of RDCs. The Council Members are: Australian Eggs, Australian Meat Processor Corporation, Australian Pork, Australian Wool Innovation Limited, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Dairy Australia, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Forest & Woods Products Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation, Hort Innovation, LiveCorp, Meat and Livestock Australia, Sugar Research Australia, Wine Australia and AgriFutures Australia.