The Farrer Memorial Trust has named Associate Professor Rhiannon Schilling as the 2026 recipient of the Farrer Memorial Mid Career Annual Award.
This award recognises Associate professor Schilling's outstanding contributions to Australian agricultural science and leadership in drought resilience, agronomy and climate-smart farming systems.
Farrer Memorial Trust Chair and Local Land Services (LLS) CEO, Kate Lorimer Ward, said this award acknowledges exceptional achievement by a mid-career professional who has made a significant contribution to the Australian agricultural sector through research, innovation, adoption, extension or policy.
"The Farrer Memorial Mid Career Award recognises professionals who have already made a significant contribution to Australian agriculture and are well placed to continue that impact throughout their careers," Ms Lorimer Ward said.
"Her work demonstrates not only excellence in agricultural science, but a clear vision for how research, innovation and adoption can support farming systems to adapt to a changing climate."
"In recognising Associate Professor Schilling, the Trust is proud to acknowledge a researcher whose work reflects William Farrer's legacy of innovation, collaboration and enduring benefit to Australian farming communities."
Associate Professor Schilling holds the position of Associate Professor in Agricultural Sciences (Agronomy) at Flinders University.
She previously served as Program Leader of Agronomy at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), leading more than 40 research and technical staff across South Australia, and has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Adelaide.
Over the past decade, she has played a central role in strengthening drought resilience in Australian agriculture.
She founded the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and the South Australian Climate Resilience Discovery Farms network initiatives that bring together researchers, farmers, agribusinesses and government to accelerate the adoption of research and trial climate-resilient farming practices.
Her work spans cereals, soils, crop physiology, agronomy, climate resilience and precision agriculture, with a strong focus on field-based innovation through long-term trials, grower engagement and collaborative research.
As a lead Chief Investigator, she has secured more than $30 million in research funding and has been instrumental in delivering projects funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT), AgriFutures Australia and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Associate Professor Schilling is also widely recognised for her commitment to mentoring early career researchers, supervising postgraduate students and promoting agricultural science through field days, industry forums, media and community outreach.
Associate Professor Schilling thanked the Trust for this award.
"Thank you for this recognition. I'm honoured to be selected as the 2026 Farrer Memorial Mid Career Award recipient," she said.
"I'm grateful to the Trustees and those who nominated me for this prestigious award. I feel fortunate to work in the cropping RD&E sector, and to receive this award in recognition of William Farrer is a great honour."
The $15,000 award will support travel and professional development, helping further strengthen Associate Professor Schilling's expertise and expand collaborations that deliver benefits to Australian agriculture.
