Ash Smith brings farm experience to KI agriculture role
Helping farmers improve productivity and profitability will be the focus for Ash Smith, the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board’s new Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator.
Ash grew up working on his family’s mixed farm near Auburn in the Clare Valley. He brings a background in science and practical experience in broadacre cropping, sheep and cattle handling, vineyard maintenance, fencing and operating farm machinery.
“The broadacre and livestock on our farm are run as a mixed inputs business with applications of urea and also biologicals such as composted cow manure,” Ash said.
“Our livestock are often traded and run on agistment with a focus on turning around sheep with poor condition and running stock across the feed gap. The vineyard is run as a low input, dryland vineyard with the grapes being previously included in Kilikanoon’s Oracle and Taylor’s St Andrews ranges, alongside their own label,” he said.
Ash’s Dad worked as a shearer on Kangaroo Island for contractor Eugene Fahey. He also worked for John Buick and got his first pen from Archie Buick, who later retired on the island.
Ash studied biochemistry at the Australian National University, completing a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) with Honours and research into plant disease under the supervision of Simon Williams who was originally from Menindee. This research focused on understanding how DNA products fundamentally cause disease. Ash has also worked as a project firefighter in Canada working on Vancouver Island.
Ash said the starting point for the new role will be listening to local farmers and understanding their priorities.
“Farmers make decisions around the needs of their business, the season and the time and resources they have available,” Ash said. “Any change needs to fit those realities. I want to understand what is already working on local farms, where the challenges are and what support would be useful.”
The Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator role connects farmers with practical information, specialists and opportunities to learn from other producers. The focus is on helping farmers assess options that suit their properties and business goals.
“Sustainability is about having a farm that you can hand down to your kids and have set them up for success,” Ash said.
“Sustainability is also about creating food and fibre for the community. I want to help support fifth generation farmers become sixth generation farmers alongside helping first generation farmers to create businesses that they can hand over to their kids,” Ash said.
Ash can help producers find information and specialist support on soil health, grazing management and adapting to changing seasonal conditions. The role also connects farmers with relevant workshops, training and funding opportunities.
“Farmers want to see evidence that something works and understand what it could mean for their own property,” Ash said.
“My role is to help farmers find reliable information and the right people to talk to, so they can make decisions that suit their business.”
Primary Producers are encouraged to get in touch to introduce themselves, discuss a challenge or share ideas for future workshops and activities
To contact Ash, you can call him directly on 0437 172 877 or email ashley.smith3@sa.gov.au. Alternatively, call the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board on (08) 8553 2476 or email ki.landscapeboard@sa.gov.au and ask to be connected.
The Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator role is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program.
