In what will be a new leadership era for the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), South Australian grain grower Sharon Starick has been announced as the new board chair.

Mrs Starick became one of the first growers from her state, as well as the first female, to lead the largest of the rural research and development corporations, when she officially took over the reins on October 1.

GRDC managing director Nigel Hart welcomes the announcement, saying Mrs Starick’s appointment would provide critical continuity for the organisation, which has responsibility for investing more than $240 million each year in research, development and extension (RD&E) for Australian grain growers. 

“Mrs Starick has been on the GRDC board since 2018, so she has an in-depth understanding of the business. She is a highly intelligent, highly capable leader with an extensive knowledge of agriculture and natural resource management,” Mr Hart said.

“She is a grain and pork producer from the Mallee region of South Australia, so she also brings the hands-on practical understanding and experience of farming that is invaluable for a grower-focused organisation like GRDC,” he says.

Mrs Starick has a degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Adelaide and is currently the chair of Animal Health Australia, a director of the Regional Investment Corporation and independent chair of the South Australian Future Drought Fund Advisory Group. She is also a past chair of the SA Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources management board.

She replaces outgoing GRDC Chair John Woods, a Goondiwindi grain grower who has led the organisation since 2016.