AgCommunicators founder Belinda Cay and SA agronomist Jana Dixon were both recognised for their outstanding contributions to the grain industry at the GRDC Research Update in Adelaide today.
Ms Cay was awarded the GRDC Seed of Light award first, which recognises the outstanding contribution, dedication and commitment of individuals to communicating research outcomes to people working in the grains industry.
When presenting Ms Cay with the award, GRDC Southern Panel chair and Vic graingrower Andrew Russell said she was an "outstanding advocate for the grains industry, making R&D accessible and relatable to growers through her expert communications - ensuring that growers are engaged and can reap the benefits".
"Ms Cay's body of work is outstanding and wide-ranging. From marketing and communication campaigns; design exhibitions; and creating student and teacher programs; to delivering workshops in capacity building and training, and running professional development programs, technical workshops, conferences and meetings - she's done so much for the grains industry and reached so many people," he said.
A surprised Ms Cay said it was a "true honour" to be presented the Seed of Light award and thanked the GRDC, who she has "worked with since its inception".
"The support and the work that GRDC do, is second to none," she said.
Ms Cay is the director of AgCommunicators, which has worked on a number of GRDC investments directly including GRDC's National Grower Network, the Australian Fungicide Resistance Extensions Network and several soil acidity projects.
"This award is a recognition of the team at AgCommunicators, in particular my business partner and friend Deanna Lush," she said.
"We have started a business that supports the agricultural industry to tell its story, promote its research, engage students and teachers, and to help the community understand how great we are at producing sustainable food.
"Communicating science and research on behalf of the grains industry is a privilege - the work done to improve crop yield and productivity is outstanding and benefits the whole value chain.
"We're lucky to have such excellent scientists in SA who need their work communicated and I'm always happy to help."
Ms Cay also thanked her husband and family.
Degrees don't come on the back of a Weetbix box Belinda!
- BELINDA CAY
"I couldn't do this without them," she said.
"My dad has inspired me from the get go, when I was at uni he said - degrees don't come on the back of a Weetbix box Belinda!
"It meant that I had to work hard, get the grades, and now I get to work in my dream career.
"I enjoy it every single day, especially our ag education work. I get to inspire young people to come and join our industry, because I know everyone out there will support them, nuture them, and hopefully they'll have a career which they enjoy as much as I do."
Pinion Advisory agribusiness consultant Jana Dixon was then named as the 2024 Emerging Leader award for the southern region.
This award recognises the commitment of a professional with less than 10 years' experience working in the grains industry, who has contributed to the future of the industry and is emerging as a leader in their field of endeavour.
As a graduate consultant, Ms Dixon investigated sustainable weed control practices and helped deliver the GRDC Weedsmart initiative, which led her to play a key role in organising the 2020 National WeedSmart Conference in SA.
"Jana has emerged as a shining light among the highly-regarded agronomic advisers servicing SA graingrowers, demonstrating professionalism and enthusiasm in everything she does," GRDC Southern Panel member and SA graingrower Ruth Sommerville said when presenting the award.
"GRDC has been very happy to have welcomed Ms Dixon as a presenter at GRDC Farm Business Updates and as a guest on the GRDC podcast, both of which have demonstrated her skill and commitment to communicating to growers.
"Ms Dixon's work in the benchmarking and on-farm management succession services she delivers are of great importance to the grains industry. Growers have a lot to gain from understanding these topics and Ms Dixon is playing an important role to assist them."
Ms Dixon primarily delivers technical advice to broadacre cropping clients in the Mid North and Mallee.
In accepting the award, she acknowledged all the leaders who came before her and who had helped her develop her career.
"It's amazing to look back and reflect on the past five years of my career, and register how much I have learned and I would like to thank the team at Pinion Advisory," she said.
"You have taught me so many valuable life and technical skills, and I am very grateful for that."
She also acknowledged Ms Cay, who inspired her into a career in agriculture after meeting her at a science forum in Canberra while in Year 12.
"I'm lucky to be working as an agronomy consultant and I love what I do," she said.
