New leadership and new members have been appointed to the Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Council to help the state's agriculture sector prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change.
Since it was established in November 2020, the council has supported the Victorian Government's commitment to deliver strong and lasting action on climate change in partnership with the agriculture sector.
Jack Holden will serve as the council's new chairperson, with Catherine Jenkins appointed the new deputy chair, following the open, competitive recruitment process for the council's new term.
Mr Holden brings strong vision, relationships and future focus with his experience working in government, consulting and industry, including as General Manager of Sustainability for Global Markets at Fonterra Group and his current role as Managing Director of Ridge Road Advisory.
'I am excited to be appointed as new Chairperson to the Victorian Agriculture and Climate Change Council for its third term,' said Mr Holden.
'I look forward to continuing the important work of the council in supporting government to strengthen climate mitigation and adaptation outcomes for Victorian farmers and the broader agriculture sector.'
Ms Jenkins is an experienced agribusiness professional who runs Rural People Co, an agribusiness advisory and facilitation service supporting agricultural businesses and organisations across Australia.
Professor Amy Cosby and Ashleigh Brooks are 2 new appointees to the council, joining a group that has been dedicated and passionate in its work.
Professor Cosby is a South Gippsland dairy farmer and agricultural researcher who currently serves as Research Lead for the Agricultural Education and Extension Cluster at the Institute of Future Farming Systems, CQUniversity Australia.
Her research focuses on attracting, retaining and developing the next generation agricultural workforce to ensure the industry remains innovative and sustainable in addressing future challenges.
Ashleigh Brooks is a grain grower and a strategic advisor with InterGrain Pty Ltd, with extensive broad-acre farming experience and understanding of Australia's grains industry, including serving as a non-executive director of GrainGrowers Ltd, and is an elected councillor on the VFF Grains Policy Council.
The full membership for the new council term is:
- Jack Holden (Chair)
- Catherine Jenkins (Deputy Chair)
- Ashleigh Brooks
- Fiona Conroy
- Professor Amy Cosby
- Luke Hooke
- Professor Lauren Rickards
The council provides independent, expert and strategic advice to the Minister for Agriculture about the challenges and opportunities facing the Victorian agriculture sector due to impacts of climate change.
The council has played a key role in shaping key policies and programs, including supporting the design and implementation of programs under the 2021–25 Agriculture Sector Emissions Reduction Pledge, the Primary Production Adaptation Action Plan, informing advice to the Independent Expert Panel for the 2035 Emissions Reduction Target and, most recently, the development of the Agriculture Sector Emissions Reduction 2026–30 Pledge.
Members appointed for the third term of the council bring valuable industry perspectives and will continue to support government work in partnership with industry to deliver meaningful and collaborative action on climate change for agriculture.
