Based in Tasmania, Sally is passionate about building the capacity and capability of agricultural employers and industry leaders to understand the current and emerging trends that will impact or enhance the performance of Australian farming businesses.
"I believe the power of agriculture is its people," Sally said.

"The combination of human and business capability is becoming vital to the sector in building productive and successful workforces. Understanding workforce trends is an important factor in the attraction, retention and development of quality talent to our industry - that's how we future-proof our businesses."

Kondinin Group General Manager of Research, Ben White, said Sally is an remarkable rural consultant who is working with clients across Australia to build successful farming businesses.

"Sally is committed to supporting farmers, agribusinesses, industry bodies and government organisations across the country to strengthen their approach to managing and developing human capital," Mr White said.

"The judges saw this as a critical factor in Sally's success. That in an industry so focused on production inputs and outputs, we can often overlook our most important assets - our people. Sally is definitely changing our attention, for the better."
Sally believes the key ingredients to a successful farming business are based on four pillars—people, production, profit and performance.

"The demographic profile of the agricultural workforce has changed—and continues to change. Technology, globalisation and economic elasticity have hugely influenced farming, including the types of skills and characteristics that farmers are recruiting for.

"There is something rewarding about contributing to the development of the industry in a way that connects, educates, and empowers all industry players. I get a real buzz out of condensing complex human resource management issues and transforming them into practical outcomes that translate into growth opportunities, from the farm gate and beyond."

Dan Dixon, ANZ Marketing Director at award sponsor Corteva Agriscience, said that Sally's work was having a positive impact on the industry and its workforce, and was helping to raise the profile of agriculture.

"Sally really connects with people and is an outstanding rural consultant," Mr Dixon said.

"She highlights the significance of investing in the human resource component of an enterprise, which is an area many farmers in growing farm businesses underestimate, yet it is one of the most critical factors toward success.

"Corteva Agriscience applauds Sally. We couldn't service our growers and support them to achieve at such high levels without the support that's provided by exceptional rural consultants like her."

The annual Kondinin Group and ABC Rural Australian Farmer of the Year Awards have been running since 2010 and continue to recognise excellence in farming and farming communities across rural and regional Australia. The 2019 Awards are supported by Platinum Sponsor WFI.

Information on all 2019 award recipients can be found at www.farmeroftheyear.com.au