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Meet the Team
All 14 members of Farming Futures are current UNE students, representing a diverse range of colleges and backgrounds. Despite our varied experiences, we share a common passion for agriculture and a commitment to engaging young people in the industry. Our collective goal is to create opportunities, foster connections, and inspire the next generation of agricultural professionals. Through our events, initiatives, and resources, we aim to support and empower students in their agricultural pursuits.
Chairperson
Lily Pilmore
Lily has been on the Farming Futures committee since 2023, where she started as an Industry Dinner Coordinator. The Industry Dinner won 'Event of the Year' in 2023, starting a new streak for the team. Lily is from 'Craigburn,' a livestock property in Dunrobin, VIC. Currently studying for a Bachelor of Agriculture, she aims to undertake a career in agronomy, where she can apply her knowledge and passion for sustainable farming practices. She is already gaining valuable practical experience in the field, with a particular focus on cotton. During her university breaks in Warren, NSW, she works alongside an experienced agronomist to enhance her skills and understanding of the industry. Lily ventures to help growers by focusing on soil sustainability and addressing the economic impacts of water management. In doing so, she also strives to create a solid foundation for future agricultural productivity, promoting practices that will benefit both current and future generations of farmers.
Vice Chairperson
Miranda McGufficke
Miranda has been a part of the Farming Futures committee since 2022 as an Industry Dinner Coordinator before beginning her role as Vice Chairperson in 2024. Miranda’s dedication to the committee is shown, with the Industry Dinner receiving the ‘UNE Event of the Year’ in both 2022 and 2023. Miranda is from Cooma, NSW where her family operate a fine wool merino seedstock operation, ‘Greendale Merinos’. Currently studying a Bachelor of Animal Science, Majoring in Livestock Production and Science, Miranda endeavours to make a proactive and influential difference in progressing the sheep and wool industry to be more economically sustainable and data focused. Miranda’s main interests include data collection and genetic comparison to identify high performing and economically sustainable genetic sources. Miranda is commitment to educating and encouraging youth to be more involved in agriculture and believes everyone can make a difference.
The Executives
Secretary
Isobel Thirkell-Johnson
Isobel is from Cressy, Tasmania, and is undertaking a Bachelor of Rural Science. Bel is pursuing a career in the sheep and wool industry. She has a passion for fine-wool production and is interested in the development of economically sustainable practices. During her time at university, Bel enjoys traveling, making connections, and developing her skills. Her passion for understanding agricultural communities, production styles, and industry chains is shaping her problem-solving skills and broadening her future.
Treasurer
Rose McNair
Rosie is from Dubbo, NSW, and is currently in her last year of a Bachelor of Agribusiness, majoring in Accounting. After the complement of her degree she is aiming to becoming a Chartered Accountant, with the goal to eventually work in agriculture finance and rural banking. Rosie had been able to use her knowledge from her degree to improve the financial practices of Farming Futures, with the introduction of Xero in 2024. Her hands- on experience with accounting software and budgeting are skills she is very grateful to have learnt in Farming Futures this year
Publicity and Social Media Officer
Kate Rowlands
Kate Rowlands is from Girilambone, NSW. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Media and Communications - majoring in Media and Culture. Kate aims to find a career within marketing, public relations, and journalism. She is in her second year of studies so is still keeping her job options open and exploring different avenues as they come.
Schools Program
Schools Programe Coordinator
Grace Pezzuto
Grace is from the small, rural community of Spring Ridge. She is currently mid way through her degree of a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business, majoring in Agribusiness. After finishing, she hopes to work within the field of Research Agronomy, particularly with pasture programs. This stems from her background and love of running beef cattle on the Liverpool Plains. She has worked across many different industries within Agriculture and strives to employ diligence, independence and a ‘can do’ work ethic into everything she does.
Schools Programe Coordinator
Kinsley Wood
Kinsley grew up in Condobolin, NSW, and is studying a Bachelor of Education (K-6). After completing her degree, she aims on working in NSW Primary Schools with a focus on foundational learners. As Kinsley is from a rural community it is meaningful that she works with students in rural areas. Kinsley’s passion for leaning and her drive to create an inclusive classroom space will ensure her a fulfilling career in education.
Schools Programe Coordinator
Holly White
Holly grew up in Inverell, New South Wales, and is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Rural Science. She is unsure of what she wants to do when she graduates as her degree has introduced her to the never ending list of opportunities in the ag industry. However Holly does hope to pursue a science based career within sheep genetics or soil chemistry.
Careers Fair
Careers Fair Coordinators
Hamish Smith
Hamish is from Kyabram, Victoria, and is currently studying a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business. He is completing an accountancy major and hopes to become a chartered accountant before continuing in an accountancy career. Apart from this, he may also pursue a career in finance or any other agribusiness role.
Careers Fair Coordinators
Nick Gibson
Nicholas Gibson was raised on a family farm in Cumnock, New South Wales, where they raise self-replacing merino sheep. Pursuing a bachelor of agribusiness with a major in finance, his goal is to work as an agricultural banker in the agriculture industry, assisting family farmers and large corporations. He strives to collaborate closely with the sector to provide financial support and provide his time to guiding famers into the future of agriculture.
Careers Fair Coordinators
Amy Kuhne
Amy was born and raised in Mount Isa, North West Queensland. She is pursuing a double degree in Agriculture and Business, majoring in International Business and Livestock Production. Amy hopes to enter the beef industry, specifically feed lotting, genetics, or international relations once she completes her degree. Even though Amy spends the majority of her time in Armidale while completing her studies, she often returns to Queensland, remaining heavily involved in her local community and the broader Queensland agricultural industry, including through her recent time as the 2022 Queensland Country Life Showgirl Runner-Up.
Industry Dinner
Industry Dinner Coordinator
Amber Brown
Amber is from Grafton, NSW, and is currently studying a Bachelor of Agriculture. After completing her degree she aims to pursue a career in agronomy and soil science. Amber intends to work alongside likeminded agronomists to gain knowledge and understanding of the industry. While studying at UNE she is dedicated to gaining practical experience within the agricultural industry to excel within the field.
Industry Dinner Coordinator
Ivy McGufficke
Growing up on her families merino seedstock property in Cooma, Ivy is currently studying a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing. Ivy’s career aspirations align with contributing meaningfully to sustainable agriculture production and agribusiness affairs. One aspect Ivy is very passionate about is working with people in agribusinesses to ensure they are equipped with the correct knowledge, skills and services to maximise opportunities. Ivy has gained insightful perspectives through completing work experience with various businesses within agriculture and broader external industries.
Industry Dinner Coordinator
Kate Blair-Hickman
Kate Blair-Hickman has 12 months left on her Bachelor of Agribusiness through UNE. She grew up in Sydney before pursuing a career in agriculture and working on properties across NSW and VIC instilled a passion for education and information transparency within the industry. Along with her interest in working dogs, she aims to improve her stock handling and husbandry skills. Kate hopes to use her experiences in the agricultural industry, along with the skills and knowledge gained throughout her degree, to help farmers, consumers, and businesses along the supply chain produce commodities that are sustainable, profitable, and ethical.