News
New Executive Officer Takes The Lead at Partners in Ag
Friday 16 February 2024
Partners in Ag has welcomed the new year with the appointment of Katherine Colbert as Executive Officer, who will take over the role from Nickie Berrisford who retired at the end of 2023.
Partners in Ag Chair Tracy Dart said, “Katherine has been with Partners in Ag since 2018 and has provided an extensive range of skills that has seen our organisation grow and adapt to the ever-changing environment of agriculture extension, events, and training. Her previous experience in stakeholder management, communications and project management has her well placed to lead Partners in Ag and the innovative initiatives that are in the pipeline for the coming years”.
Katherine has held the positions of Marketing Officer and Business Development Officer during her time at Partners In Ag, after a career in community and economic development in local government. Katherine is part of a farming family enterprise that consists of broadacre cropping, mixed livestock and dairy in the Wimmera region. Katherine is also the current Chair of West Wimmera Health Service and is a passionate community volunteer.
“I am very honoured to be given the opportunity to lead this incredible organisation into its next phase. Having worked alongside Nickie, I have seen the impact we have on farming businesses and how this translates to the community through shared learning, networking, and social connection. The need for continuous learning in agriculture is vital but is often not highlighted at a grassroots level. During my time at Partners in Ag we have seen monumental shifts in how people are valued, how people work and how people learn. I see Partners in Ag working with the agriculture industry and the growers to bring these elements of farming together, filling the education and training gaps and making a genuine impact to farmers in their business”, Ms Colbert said.
Outgoing Executive Officer Nickie Berrisford said, “A significant aspect of Partners in Ag’s operation is its grass roots contacts and ability to respond to the wide-ranging learning needs of farmers. It reflects the continuing need that was identified over 25 years ago when a group of women were approached by the VFF to run an event for women. Partners in Ag has continued that close contact with stakeholders. It is noted that what was the research identified is still what is needed today; Listen to stakeholders. The focus of Partners in Ag is not just for women but for all members of the farming business”.
“It is with some sadness and also pride that at this time I look back on my time working with the ag sector and in particular the grains industry in the Wimmera and surrounds. The last few months with Partners in Ag have really demonstrated that a small organisation that is in touch with farming family businesses can fill little but very important gaps in professional development”, Mrs Berrisford added.
Nickie Berrisford was instrumental in the establishment of the Grains Industry Training Network 30 years ago with the support of VFF Grains, that then evolved into an organisation called Women in Grains, funded by the GRDC. This group was highly successful with a focus on developing key skills for women on farms and those connected to farming businesses. From this successful venture, GRDC developed the national organisation, Partners in Grain. The focus was not just on women but still had the focus of self-directed learning.
From 2017, further evolution occurred with each state venturing into their own pathways, where Partners in Ag was born. Nickie’s passion and hard-work ethic has seen Partners in Ag thrive over 3 decades of economic, environmental and social challenges as they impacted agriculture and education.
“Nickie Berrisford has transitioned from the Executive Officer role to a Board Director role providing great leadership and oversight into the organisation. Nickie’s understanding and passion for both agriculture and education and her significant network and historical knowledge of the industry makes her an ideal addition to our Board. Nickie’s mentoring of Katherine has seen our not-for-profit organisation make some genuine impact to the rural communities of Victoria through training workshops and events”, Mrs Dart said.
Partners in Ag is governed by a volunteer board of farmers and people working within the agriculture industry. Partners in Ag collaborates with key stakeholders to deliver quality training workshops and events to rural communities in Victoria. For more information contact Katherine Colbert, Executive Officer on eo@partnersinag.org.au or 0409 527 041. For more information about Partners in Ag visit www.partnersinag.org.au.
Join our Board!
Partners in Ag currently has multiple Board positions available.
Servicing Victoria’s agriculture sector, Partners in Ag strives to provide meaningful, timely and professional workshops to farm businesses that increase the knowledge, skills, and sustainability of those managing and working within the farm business. Partners in Ag is proud to be a not-for-profit organisation with a passionate and dedicated Board who are all farmers or employed in the agriculture industry. With over 20 years working in the agriculture education space, the team at Partners in Ag work hard to support and up-skill farming communities.
Desirable Skills:
- Financial Management
- Governance / Risk Management
- Interest in agriculture and/or adult education
- Passion to help farmers and give back to the agricultural community
The Board is a voluntary role that meets monthly via Zoom. Board Directors provide strategic oversight for projects and events coordinated by Partners in Ag. This is a great opportunity for someone who is looking at broadening their leadership, governance or director skills or looking to start their Board Director journey. Training and development available.
Expressions of Interest are now open. Please submit your resume and accompanying letter of interest to eo@partnersinag.org.au. Enquiries can be directed to Katherine Colbert, Executive Officer on 0409 527 041 or Board Chair Tracy Dart on 0400 442 048.
Click here to view our newsletter archive.
Have you subscribed to our monthly newsletter? It’s easy as clicking here.
Do you have information, resources, or articles you’d like promoted through our monthly newsletter? Get in touch with us!