TWO Yorke Peninsula farmers are among seven farmers from across the state appointed to a new committee for Grain Producers South Australia.

Leanne Pridham of Paskeville and Marty Collins of Yorketown have been appointed to the inaugural GPSA Policy Committee.

GPSA Chair John Gladigau said the committee had been created as an additional platform for grower voices to help shape the organisation’s advocacy priorities. 

“It will complement GPSA’s Board and Young Grain Producers Committee, giving grain producers more opportunity to inform policy positions on issues affecting the industry,” he said.

“It creates an additional platform for grower voices to help shape the organisation’s advocacy priorities.

“By drawing on the experience of grain producers from across the state — from Yorketown to Karkoo, Lock to the Mallee and beyond — we will strengthen the depth and relevance of GPSA’s policy work. 

“I’m delighted to welcome such a strong group of inaugural members. 

“Each of them brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise both on and off-farm. 

“Their perspectives will help GPSA tackle the big issues —from drought response, chemical access, and supply chain competitiveness to biosecurity and land use policy and much more.” 

Ms Pridham is a farmer, business owner and director of WoTL (Women Together Learning), and a champion for strong intergenerational family farms and rural community resilience.

Mr Collins is a third-generation Yorketown farmer, a member of the Bunge Silo Committee at Port Giles for more than 15 years, and he is active in the Weavers Agricultural Bureau.

Other members of the Policy Committee are Steve Glover, Andrew Polkinghorne and Mark Modra, from Eyre Peninsula; Emily Morgan from the Mallee; and Josh Krieg from the Adelaide Plains. 

The Committee will be chaired by GPSA Board director and vice-chair, Mid North grain producer Steve Ball (see story page 46).