Ginger

Ginger Advisory Panel

Jacqueline Wilson-Smith (Chair)

Sustainable Innovation Co.

Jacqueline has over 25 years’ experience in herb and spice innovation, marketing and R&D, having held global executive roles with McCormick and Gourmet Garden. She is dedicated to creating better food systems to feed the world. In 2019 she founded strategic consultancy, the Sustainable Innovation Co., to facilitate innovative and sustainable design-led commercial solutions to agri-food organisations. Jacqueline serves on several agri-food boards, committees and panels and is co-founder and former Chair of the Food Agribusiness Network (FAN). In 2017, Jacqueline was named the Queensland recipient of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award and was appointed Chair of the AgriFutures Ginger Advisory Panel in 2021.

Jacqueline has a collaborative leadership style, a wealth of experience in chairing and facilitating boards, committees, panels, projects, workshops and meetings and is deeply passionate about all aspects of the herb and spice industry. As chair of the Ginger Advisory Panel, she looks forward to facilitating robust and respectful conversations so the panel can identify R&D programs that will ensure the resilience of Australia’s ginger industry for generations to come.

Philip Brett

Grower

Philip is the owner and operator of a commercial ginger farm located in Kenilworth, Queensland. He has been affiliated with horticulture since the age of 14, growing various crops such as garlic, melons and now ginger. In 2019, Philip established his ginger farm and over three years expanded his growing production significantly. Philip is interested in developing the Australian Ginger industry into a resilient, economically competitive, and sustainable agricultural landscape. He brings a wealth of growing experience, enthusiasm, and a grower perspective to the Advisory Panel.

Jess Joyce

Grower at Little Bunya Organics

Jess owns and operates a small scale ginger farm, but within a certified organic system. After a background in financial management and commercial analysis in the government sector, Jess transitioned into farming and is responsible for managing sales and marketing, resource management and the farm’s quality assurance accreditation with food safety and organic compliance.

Zane Nicholls

Department Primary Industries, Queensland

Zane is a highly skilled researcher with over a decade of experience with the Department Primary Industries, Queensland (DPI QLD), focussing on industry capability development and linking agriculture to opportunity, disaster preparedness and pest and disease management. He has a strong rapport with the Ginger Industry through his role and with previous projects in the AgriFutures Ginger Program with notable contributions to research focusing on food safety, pest and disease management, and soil health improvement. He applied as was successful in his appointment to the Ginger Advisory Panel because he is passionate about the development of the industry.

Matt Crust

Grower

Matt is a 3rd generation farmer in the Lockyer Valley QLD, running a family farm with his brother called Mount Sylvia Fresh. Matt grew up spending all his free time alongside his family, helping out on the farm and learning all about the journey of produce. He completed a trade in light vehicle maintenance but came back to the farm to manage the packing shed operations and quality assurance before moving onto managing the farm in the following year.

Starting with seasonal brassicas, melon and pumpkins, Matt now solely grows Ginger, Turmeric and Galangal year-round. He’s excited by the lessons to learn with Ginger and notes that its only the beginning of the journey. Ginger is an industry with a huge potential for growth and he is passionate about the industry thriving and ensuring it remains as bright for his children.

Peter Grant

Alloria Farms

Peter Grant is the owner of Alloria Farms, a diversified agricultural enterprise operating across Queensland and New South Wales. The business includes ginger, cotton, corn, wheat and cattle production. As a ginger grower, Peter manages the year-round supply of fresh Australian ginger to major markets across Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. He is committed to delivering high-quality produce through efficient farming systems, strong industry relationships and a focus on reliability and consistency.

Peter is passionate about the future of Australian agriculture and sustainable farming practices. Across his operations, he focuses on improving soil health and productivity, implementing biological control methods where possible, and building resilient farming systems that support long-term environmental and economic sustainability. Peter is committed to supporting a profitable, innovative and sustainable future for Australia’s ginger industry.

Dr Michael Farrer

Griffith University

Dr Michael Farrer is a researcher with expertise in hyperspectral imaging, machine learning and soil-plant nutrient cycling across intensive and organic agricultural systems. A former ginger grower on the Sunshine Coast, Michael now focuses on developing innovative technologies to improve agricultural productivity, quality and sustainability.

His research explores the use of hyperspectral imaging and biochar-based fertilisers to support more efficient food production, reduce waste and improve farm management practices. Working closely with industry partners, Michael develops practical solutions to complex agricultural challenges. Michael has led projects using hyperspectral technology to assess macadamia nut quality during post-harvest processing, predict soil carbon in organic farming systems, and measure curcumin levels in fresh turmeric. Michael is committed to supporting innovation and advancing sustainable production practices across Australia’s ginger industry.