Alastair Rayner
Alastair holds multiple qualifications including a Master of Philosophy, a Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons), and a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment. He is also a Licensed Stock & Station Agent. He established RaynerAg in 2013 following an 18-year career with NSW DPI as a District Livestock Officer. Since then, he has worked nationally as a consultant and trainer, with a focus on genetics, grazing systems, and practical producer adoption. Alastair has worked closely with ClassiMate for more than seven years, helping to develop objective systems for structural cattle assessment. He has also held senior roles with Cibo Labs as National Extension & Adoption Manager and Head of Commercial Services. He is currently Extension & Engagement Consultant with ABRI, as well as Executive Officer of the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society and a Councillor of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. Well known for his skills in training and delivery, Alastair works with industry organisations to deliver practical and tailored on-farm training courses and workshops across Australia.
Ann Murray
Ann has been engaged in production horticulture for over 25 years, including managing orchards to working as an Agronomist. In 2012 Ann completed a Master of Sustainable Agriculture and in 2022 she completed a Doctor of Education. Ann has been teaching since 2007 and currently works for several organisations - developing learning resources, teaching students and undertaking compliance and assessment work. Based near Swan Hill in Victoria, Ann enjoys cycling, cricket, V8 Supercars and spending time with her grandchildren.
Anthony Wright
Ant has a strong background in Agriculture, having managed various properties and operated his own rural contracting business on the Northern Tablelands. He has 12 years training experience in delivering rural skills units and courses in NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Based in Armidale NSW, Ant holds a Diploma of Agriculture and the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Carlotta Chiesa
In 2016, Carlotta relocated from Barcelona to a cattle farm in Northern Tablelands, NSW. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, a Diploma of Agriculture, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE). With her experience as a Management Trainer and Executive Coach, Carlotta has been instrumental in designing and delivering training programs to sales teams across various sectors. Additionally, she has enjoyed collaborating as a guest speaker for BBA and MBA programs at the European University (Barcelona).
David Worsley
David is a sheep and beef farmer from Inverell, NSW. He presents our Chemical Card Plus, Property Management Planning, Farm Safety, and other farm related workshops. David is well known across northern NSW as a gifted trainer who relates well to farming groups. David's qualifications include Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture), Diploma of Education and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Derek Smith
Derek is the trainer for the RuralBiz Training campus in Armidale since the beginning of 2022. For almost 40 years, he has run a farm and been involved in beef, wool, lamb, and vegetable production as well as lots of job experience as an employee on farms in the New England region in New South Wales. Derek filled in as a casual teacher at TAFE NSW Armidale from 1994 to 2014, teaching all things agriculture. He holds an Associate Diploma in Farm Management, a Professional Wool classers certificate, a Bachelor of Farm Management, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110).
Heidi McElnea
Heidi operates her business, Highland Permaculture, from her home on the NSW Northern Tablelands. She integrates food and animal production, while consulting to government, industry and the community sector on a range of sustainability projects.Heidi’s focus is on facilitating sustainable activities on-farm, at home, and in the community. Her knowledge and experience includes water conservation and reuse, building biodiversity, soil fertility, renewable energy and waste to resource opportunities. Heidi is currently completing post-graduate studies in regenerative agriculture at Southern Cross University. She also holds a degree in Communications, a Diploma in Sustainability, Certificate IV Training & Assessment, IAP2 Engagement Training, a Permaculture Design Certificate, Permaculture Educator's Certificate and a Diploma in Holistic Health.Her most recent publication is a regenerative guide to solar farming.
Ian Porch
Ian has a lifelong involvement in mixed production agribusiness (Central West, New South Wales), and currently manages an enterprise which includes livestock breeding, backgrounding and feed lotting, as well as dryland fodder and grain production. During the past 30+ years Ian has been employed in various positions within the Australian agribusiness sector. These positions have included the operational management of large pastoral enterprises in Northern Australia, the delivery of agronomic and consulting products and services to dryland and irrigated farming enterprises in Queensland and New South Wales, as well as the provision of leadership and general management at both middle and senior levels within the agricultural supply and retail industry. Ian also holds significant experience providing leadership and general management within the financial services sector. Ian holds a Master of Business Administration (Agribusiness), Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture), Certificate IV in Work Health Safety, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
John Beer
John grew up in a rural area in the South-West of the UK where he worked in retail and agribusiness banking for 12 years. He then spent another 12 years working in UK and international financial planning including 2 years working in South-East Asia. John emigrated to Australia with his family in 2007 and has worked for the Rural Financial Counselling Service since then, including 16 years as a Rural Financial Counsellor, and since 2023 as a team leader. John has numerous UK banking and financial planning qualifications and various Australian agribusiness qualifications, including a Diploma of Agriculture, Advanced Diploma in Rural Business Management and Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management. John enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with others, whether that is assisting farmers improve viability, or mentoring work colleagues and Agribusiness students.
Judi Unger
Judi has a strong interest, and is well known, in the organic/biodynamic/permaculture areas of agriculture and gardening. Judi is an experienced Teacher, with a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education. Judi also has Diploma of Organic Farming and trained in Intensive Permaculture Design, as well as being a partner in an ACO certified organic/biodynamic dryland mixed farming enterprise. She is a Life Member of The Rural Woman and has served as a Board Director of Biodynamic Agriculture of Australia.
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Lucy Powell
Based in North-Western Queensland, Lucy is a qualified Agronomist in addition to her role as Training Manager for RuralBiz Training. She has a diverse background with experience and connections in a large array of industries throughout Australia. She is highly passionate about growing farming enterprises as well as the education and attraction of young people to the Agricultural industry. Lucy holds multiple qualifications including an Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management, Diploma of Agronomy, as well as her Certificate IV in Training & Assessment.
Reg Kidd
Reg is well known across NSW in many capacities and is a farmer in Orange, NSW. As a trainer, he presents our Chemical Card Plus, Farm Safety, Farm Planning, and other farm related workshops. He is the presenter of ABC local radio's Saturday morning gardening show, a member of the National Agriculture, Horticulture, and Conservation Skills Advisory Board, a board member of the Central West Catchment Authority, Executive Councillor with the NSW Farmers Association, and a member of numerous government committees related to pesticide use and weed control. Reg's qualifications include Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), Graduate Diploma in Education, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.