Matthew de Roos, the 2026 AgriFutures sponsored recipient of the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program, is investing in the leadership skills needed to support farmers and rural industries thrive in an increasingly complex agricultural landscape.
Growing up on a family farm in northern New South Wales, Matthew developed a deep appreciation for the resilience and innovation that underpin Australian agriculture. Today, as Field Trial Manager for farming systems group Riverine Plains, he works closely with farmers across south-east NSW and north-east Victoria, overseeing on-farm trials that support informed decision making and improve productivity, sustainability and profitability.
Matthew is one of three emerging leaders supported by AgriFutures Australia through the 2026 Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program, recognised for his ongoing contribution to the Pasture Seeds industry. His work with Riverine Plains also connects with broader industry priorities around resilient farming systems, practical research adoption and the role of pasture, crop and mixed farming systems in supporting long-term productivity. The intensive five-day program is designed to strengthen leadership capability, communication skills and strategic thinking among emerging leaders working across Australia's rural industries.
For Matthew, applying for the program came at a pivotal point in his career.
His role was expanding significantly, moving beyond technical trial management into a position requiring greater influence, collaboration and industry engagement. Supporting farmers as they navigate new technologies, data-driven tools and changing farming systems requires more than technical expertise; it requires confidence, communication skills and leadership.
The Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program provided an opportunity to strengthen those capabilities while gaining a deeper understanding of leadership and how to bring out the best in others.
"I gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be a leader, and how to work with the individual skills of those around me to achieve a common goal," Matthew said.
"It definitely improved my confidence and leadership skills. By exploring different aspects of leadership and how they work together to form various styles, I learned there isn't a one-size-fits-all model. What matters more is how leadership is interpreted within yourself, and what you do with that in a way that benefits not just your immediate team but has a flow-on effect throughout the workplace."
Working at the interface between research, extension and on-farm practice, Matthew sees first-hand the importance of translating research findings into practical outcomes that farmers can trust and adopt. He believes strong leadership and effective communication are critical to strengthening those connections across the industry.
The program also provided valuable opportunities to build networks with emerging leaders from across Australia's agricultural sector.
"Being able to connect with people from all over the country gave me diverse insight into everyone's corner of the ag sector," he said.
"Learning about parts of the industry I hadn't been exposed to in my own role highlighted just how diverse skill sets can be, and how passion for agriculture is shaped by us as potential leaders."
Matthew also sees leadership development as an investment that extends well beyond individual participants.
By building stronger networks between farmers, advisers, researchers and technology providers, he believes the industry can accelerate the sharing of knowledge, innovation and practical solutions that support long-term resilience.
Reflecting on how the experience has prepared him for the future, Matthew said the program has strengthened the foundations needed to support both his own development and the farmers he works alongside.
"Both my current experience in agriculture and this course have contributed to how prepared I feel for the future of the industry," he said.
"It has given me the opportunity to develop foundational skills that, over time, will benefit not only myself and my team, but also the farmers we support within the region."
The AgriFutures-sponsored Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program supports emerging leaders from across rural Australia, including AgriFutures levied and emerging industries, to build the leadership skills, confidence and networks needed to drive positive change within their industries. The program focuses on leadership development, communication, understanding human behaviour and navigating complexity in an agricultural context.
Applications are now open for the 2027 AgriFutures sponsored Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program.
