Ag Force announces new board members and new Young Producers' Council

Nine members were chosen to represent the council, which will look to engage with rural and regional Queensland and encourage personal growth through access to industry expertise.

The council was announced along with Ag Force's new board members at the Belmont Research Station in Rockhampton at their Central Queensland AGM on Tuesday.

Ag Force Chief Executive officer Mike Guerin said the inaugural AgForce Young Producers' Council will help raise awareness within AgForce of what matters to young producers and the challenges they face.

"In recognition that the future of agriculture rests with those in the 18-40 year old age group, AgForce has established the Young Producers' Council, an energetic, forward thinking, commercially minded group of young producers from throughout Queensland, who are passionate about the industry and keen to make a difference," Mr Geurin said.

"As the face of the next generation representing the industry they are charged with engaging their counterparts in rural and regional Queensland to drive change and deliver positive outcomes for those striving to succeed in agriculture."

The incoming AgForce Board for 2020 and 2021 includes, Michael Guerin, Kelly Ostwald, Bim Struss, Matt Bennetto, Will Wilson, Brendan Taylor, Christine Hayward, Chris Evans, Michael Pratt, John Baker and Georgie Somerset.

Ag Force General President Georgie Somerset said this opportunity will allow more young producers to voice their concerns and represent their industry.

"The Young Producers Council is an opportunity for young people to be involved in Ag Force, and providing a pathway for how they can influence the organization, gain governance skills and be really engaged in the future of their industry," Ms Somerset said.

"It's critically important that we provide support and opportunities for young people and particularly in this case we wanted to focus on people who are working in industry so not necessarily young professionals, but those who are actually out on properties, actually doing the work and we're wanting to wanting them to have a voice.

"I think that's an area where they possibly haven't had as much opportunity either to work with each other, so this first council will obviously continue to evolve, but I think it's an opportunity for them to also identify how can our organization, as a member organization support them and get more people involved in agriculture there as well."

Ag Force also welcomed two new corporate partners, Nutrien Ag Solutions and Suncorp Australia.

The Young Producers' Council will take effect from then 1 January, 2021.