Adoption Officers work across the TNQ Drought Hub’s multiple programs to support farmers and their communities to pick up innovative tools and practices to build drought-resilient businesses.
In March 2022, an extra $9 million was announced for the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs to employ Adoption Officers across regional Australia, to give farmers practical assistance applying the latest in drought resilience innovation and technology.
Since then, the TNQ Drought Hub Adoption Officers have worked with 100’s of farmers from all across Tropical North Queensland to increase the uptake of new practices and technologies, provide feedback to the hubs on what farmers want, and build strong networks for enhanced drought resilience and sustainability.
Technical Adoption Officer
Jane holds a Ba App Science majoring in Rangelands Management. Her industry experience in beef cattle, agritourism and agribusiness analysis over the past 25 years has developed a practical and technical skillset where she is at ease in the paddock and the office. Jane looks to improve agritech systems to strengthen adoption and our industries responsiveness to variability.
Knowledge Adoption Officer
Carrie-Ann Wilson is an HDR student at James Cook University. Her MPhil explored the adoption of connectivity technologies in small and medium enterprises in rural, regional and remote Australia, and her PhD research will focus on technology adoption decision-making processes in the agricultural sector. Through the application of human-centred methodologies, she studies the intersection between people, technology and work. Carrie’s commitment to this work stems from experience in delivering digital solutions to regionally based businesses and organisations.
Technical Adoption Officer
Keerah Steele is a passionate advocate for agricultural technology and its role in transforming the way producers manage their land, livestock, and livelihoods. With a background in natural resource management and deep roots in the Australian outback, Keerah works closely with graziers and farmers to explore, trial, and implement practical tech solutions that deliver real-world benefits.
Driven by a belief that innovation should be accessible and genuinely useful, Keerah bridges the gap between cutting-edge agtech and the day-to-day challenges of primary producers. Whether it’s automation, drones, water monitoring, or data-driven decision-making tools, she ensures that each technology fits the context and goals of the producer.
Keerah thrives on building trust, growing capability, and helping producers get the most out of their operations, without losing sight of what matters most: people, place, and productivity.