Kangaroo Island agronomist and grain grower Jenny Stanton has been selected as the Grains Research and Development Corporation-supported scholar for the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) Course 30.

GRDC invests in research, development and extension on behalf of Australian grain growers and is also committed to supporting capacity and ability development in the broader grains industry. The ARLP is one of nine targeted programs GRDC supports to promote leadership and critical skills development within the grains sector.

Jenny pictured with her young family soon after she completed a Bachelor of Ag Science at the University of Adelaide in 2004. Photo: GRDC

As part of the ARLP Course for 2023, Jenny will join 31 other leaders and change-makers with backgrounds in sustainability and innovation, agriculture supply chains, biological technologies for ag, rail, workforce and training, education, mental health, animal health, and indigenous issues to complete the leadership course.

The 15-months leadership development course for individuals is designed to empower change-makers and equip them with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to become effective leaders and drive positive change in rural communities and industries.

GRDC communications and capacity officer, Jessie MacLean, congratulated Jenny on her selection and says GRDC had supported 48 ARLP positions since 1994, many of whom now played integral roles in the Australian grains industry.

"Jenny is a great fit for this program and we're confident that she will gain valuable insights and skills that will benefit her personally and professionally, as well as the grains industry as a whole.

Jenny’s family has changed a lot since 2004, but her passion for all things soil and understanding the interplay between soil health, plant health, animal health and human health has remained. Photo: Nadinne Grace photography

“GRDC is committed to supporting the next generation of leaders in the sector and recognises that investing in capacity is key to supporting innovation and driving prosperity in Australian agriculture.

“ARLP and other programs we support provide opportunities for upcoming grain industry leaders to gain hands-on experience in RD&E and leadership, as well as offering professional development and networking opportunities."

Jenny welcomed GRDC’s support which she says would enable her to participate in the ARLP Course.

Jenny is an agronomist, mother to three girls and owns and operates a grain and cattle enterprise at Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. She grew up on a mixed farm near Crystal Brook in the state’s mid north before completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Adelaide in 2004.

"I'm looking forward to learning from and collaborating with other leaders from across rural Australia and bringing those learnings back to my community and the grains industry,” she says.

For more information about GRDC supported scholarships and capacity building go to the RD&E capacity and ability page on the GRDC website.

Applications for the Australian Rural Leadership Program Course 31 open on June 2nd, 2023. For more information about the ARLP, visit the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation website.