Grain Producers Australia (GPA) is pleased to announce the appointment of South Australian grain producer and agribusiness entrepreneur, Mark Schilling, as a GPA Board Grower Director.
The GPA Selection Committee assessed nominations to fill a casual vacancy for the GPA Southern Director’s position, created by Steve Ball’s recent resignation due to family farm commitments.
The Committee’s recommendation was accepted by the GPA Board at a meeting this week, with Mr Schilling’s appointment expected to be further ratified by GPA Members at next year’s AGM.
Mr Schilling is a founding Director of GPA’s State Member for South Australia, Grain Producers SA, and farms in the Cunliffe area of the South Australian Yorke Peninsula.
The inter-generational family farmer is also a Partner and Manager of AG Schilling & Co; a vertically integrated grain and fodder supply chain agribusiness, focussed on commercial value-adding.
GPA Chair and Western Australian producer, Barry Large, welcomed Mr Schilling’s appointment to the Board of Australia’s peak advocacy group, to be another strong voice and leader, representing the interests of Australian grain producers.
“Mark will be a strong contributor and advocate for Australian grain producers, adding to the skills, experience and expertise of our other Board Members and the GPA Policy Council,” Mr Large said.
“Mark’s background in not only grain producing, but start-ups, corporate governance, commercial strategy, and outside of box thinking will strengthen GPA’s strategic advantages, to deliver good outcomes for growers and our industry.”
Mr Schilling said he was passionate about Australian grain farming and food production, with value-adding and sustainability a key focus of his agribusiness pursuits.
“I’ve adopted a value-adding approach to developing and marketing my own farming business on the Yorke Peninsula, building a number of strong brands,” he said.
“Through my role as GPA’s Southern Director, I’m looking forward to sharing the benefits and insights of this food-focussed approach and creating opportunities all growers can share in.”
GPA represents about 23,000 Australian grain producers with various legislative responsibilities, such as biosecurity and RD&E, and to develop policy and advocate outcomes which help boost the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of the Australian grains industry.
Mr Large thanked all growers who nominated or expressed an interest in the vacant Southern Director’s position and encouraged ongoing engagement with GPA directly and with GPA’s State Members. Grain Producers SA; Agforce Grains; NSW Farmers Association; Victorian Farmers’ Federation Grains Group; WAFarmers Grains Council; WA Grains Group; and TFGA.
ENDS