I have always loved science and nature and was drawn to studying the environment – of which soil is such a relevant and important aspect.

My professional experiences with soil began at university with a summer scholarship with the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN). I collected and processed soil samples for the CSIRO National Soils Archive’s AusPlots ecosystem monitoring program.

As part of my Bachelor of Science (Honours) in an Environmental Biology project (Growth of tree seedlings in reconstructed soil profiles in a post mining environment), I worked as an environmental officer for Iluka Resources at the Jacinth Ambrosia mineral sands mine. Here I assisted with seasonal environmental monitoring. In addition, I collected data for my Honours research, testing soil for pot experiments and conducting field research at a mine revegetation site.

For five years, I worked as a technical officer at the University of Adelaide on a Grains Research and Development Corporation sodicity project. This project focused on the genetic improvement of wheat tolerance to sodic and soil constraints which (again) involved significant soil sampling, processing and analysis.

In my current role as Regional Soil Coordinator for South Australia, I need to understand what is currently happening in the soils space across my region, as well as what is working well and what could be improved. I connect people with common issues to the right information, useful support channels and to one another.

I also get to participate in the national Smart Farms Smart Soils Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP provides a great mechanism to share knowledge and problem-solve with my interstate counterparts and to contribute to our specific areas of expertise. We are developing shared tools and resources to support soil extension efforts across Australia. The data collected provides vital on-ground information to the Commonwealth Government about effective soil management approaches that are both nationally consistent and locally relevant.

In 2023 I ran an exciting project in collaboration with the Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board. To upskill staff members and indigenous rangers I ran a soil extension session in collaboration with a local soil extension officer, at the Buffel grass workshop event in September 2023. We have collected soil samples to investigate whether soil type has an influence on the herbicide management of Buffel grass for this project.

So, I think soil picked me. It has been a significant component of everything I’ve done to date.