GrainGrowers has today announced its next eight participants in the Grains100 program, expanding to 60 the number of people participating in the social licence, leadership initiative.
The participants, from across Australia, will now undertake an eight-week program involving online and face-to-face learning to build leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
The 2024 Grains100 participants are:
- Brad Griffiths – Mallala, SA
- Christine Plant – Manangatang, VIC
- Ethan Vogelsang – Padthaway, SA
- Jules Alvaro – Merredin, WA
- Mick Hancock - Pearlah, SA
- Russell Hocking - Prairie, VIC
- Ryan Milgate – Minyip, VIC
- Stewart Hamilton – Inverleigh, VIC
GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said Grains100 is a vital program for ensuring the sector has strong advocates on issues that matter to growers.
"The issue of social licence – the ongoing acceptance of our industry's standard business practices and operating procedures – is an increasing focus of attention by industry participants and the general public alike. As an industry, we need to be aware of this and be prepared to talk about how we operate and explain why we operate in the way we do."
Ms Gawel said the nominated focus of attention for incoming participants was grain freight and supply chains.
"This issue was identified in our 2023 Policy Survey as one of the top industry priorities. Having Grains100 support discussion in this area will allow grower participants to explain why issues impacting grain freight and supply chains are critical to their farming operations.”
"To have an impact and make a difference, we want Grains100 participants to consider the issues holistically, taking into account what the general public needs to know to come on board in support and also how to address some of the current roadblocks that may prevent this from happening."
Ms Gawel said Grains100 is all about deepening the skills of the passionate people in our industry who are involved in a broad array of conversations around critical industry issues.
"To equip participants, we intend to provide them with training and practical examples of how other industries have worked to gain social licence for their business operations."
Grains100 is directed at establishing a group of 100 growers – both emerging and established leaders and influencers - who are prepared to get involved in discussions on issues relevant to the future development of the grains industry.
Ms Gawel said Grains100 is building an influential group of growers and industry leaders who are appropriately equipped to share a vision of a modern, sustainable industry with the grains sector and the wider community.
"As the group grows, the connections develop, and so does the ability for participants to get messages out there about some of the great things that individual growers and the wider industry are actively involved with," she said.
Media contact:
Chris Rowley
P: 0415 140 253 | Email chris.rowley@graingrowers.com.au
