Rachel Brown.jpg
Rachel Brown
B. Agr. Sci (Hons.) PhD. Dip. Lang.

Rachel Brown has over 20 years experience in agricultural research, development and extension.  She has led major extension activities in agricultural resource use efficiency – including nutrient/effluent management, energy efficiency, irrigation and property management planning.  Her strengths are concept development, multi-disciplinary project management and communication on all levels with a broad range of people.  Rachel has excellent networks in agriculture.

Rachel works with a broad range of agricultural and environmental service providers to deliver projects within Tasmania and mainland Australia.

Selected Recent Projects and Experience

  • Tasmanian manager for delivery of major national projects including Fert$mart, Profitable Dairying in a Carbon Constrained Future, Dairy Businesses for Future Climates, Smarter Energy Use in Dairies and Future Ready Dairy Systems.  Fert$mart has been a major extension activity involving technical delivery to over 200 farmers and co-ordination of Fert$mart advisers and development of technical nutrient management and effluent information for Tasmanian dairy farmers.
  • Nutrient management specialist – ongoing contract with Fonterra to assist farmers with fertiliser and effluent management improvements (through Roaming Cow and Anchor Funds)
  • Work with farmers, DairyTas, Tasmanian Dairy Industry Authority, NRM North, NRM South and Cradle Coast NRM on promoting “Clean Rivers and Tasmanian Dairy Farms” funding and extension messages.  Site visits and technical advice to 134 farmers around water quality issues.
  • Nominated by Tasmanian Climate Change Office as NCCARF Climate Champion finalist (2011).
  • Farmer group facilitator for Tasmanian CfoC soil carbon project “Making Good Better – assisting farmers with maximising the benefits of soil carbon.
  • Intelligent Irrigation project (funded by NRM North in 2008 and 2009) delivering irrigation training and water resource incentives to over 160 farmers in northern Tasmania
  • Climate change adaptation and energy efficiency – property management planning module, farmer extension and action planning in partnership with NRM North and Hydro Tasmania Consulting
  • Preparation of DPIW dam assessment reports and water allocation assessment reports for farm dam applications (numerous farmer clients)
  • Managing a team of GIS mapping, irrigation, environmental, soil and agronomic consultants for delivery of integrated property plans to 30 farms across Cradle Coast region (NHT project, June 2005) and 40 farms across the NRM North region (NHT project, May 2007)
  • DAFF Rural Development Award study tour to mainland Australia and UK to investigate property planning as a platform for quality assurance & environmental management systems
  • Assisting farmers with development of irrigation and environmental management plans and OH&S checklist for use of recycled water for irrigation in Coal Valley, Tasmania.

Agricultural research and development work including:

  • Consulting to Houston’s Farms (major leafy veg grower) on R&D activities
  • Project leader on a range of HAL, RIRDC, GWRDC and private R&D projects
  • Field trials and demonstrations on behalf of chemical companies, biological product suppliers and grower groups.  Extensive fieldwork, trial reporting and industry presentations (eg. World Potato Congress, China, 2004)
  • Preparation of industry extension materials and marketing / promotional material (newsletters, website, technical and promotional posters and flyers).

Education & Qualifications Summary

1997-2000  PhD (University of Tasmania)

2012   Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

1998-2000  Diploma of Languages, Mandarin (University of Tasmania)

1993-1996  Bachelor of Agricultural Science, First Class Honours (University of Tasmania)

1992   Fahan School, Hobart (Dux)

Awards & Scholarships

  • Winner Australian Government Excellence in Sustainable Farm Practices  - Clean Rivers and Fert$mart project participants, group nomination (2017)
  • Semi-finalist  in Tas Community Achievement Awards Environmental category for Clean Rivers projects - group nomination (2017)
  • RIRDC Rural Womens Award Finalist (2014)
  • Participant in "Women Affecting Change" leadership program (by selection) (2013)
  • Nominated for NCCAFF Climate Champion finalist (2011)
  • DAFF Rural Development Award (2007)
  • Chinese Community Association Prize for Best Third Year Student (1999)
  • Richard T Allwright Memorial Prize for Animal Production (1997)
  • Dean's Roll of Excellence - 1995, 1996
  • Brian Brain Prize in Horticultural Science (1995)
  • Royal Agricultural Society Prize for Third Year Agricultural Science (1995)
  • Royal Agricultural  Society Prize for Second Year Agricultural Science (1994)
  • University of Tasmania Women's Club Prize for Best First Year Woman Student (1993)
  • Hedley Lux Gregg Bursary in Agricultural Science (1993)
  • University Exhibition (1992)