BIRCHIP Cropping Group (BCG) has announced the appointment of Dr Marisa Collins and Giles Cunningham to its board, bringing deep scientific, educational, and on-ground production expertise to help shape the future direction of the organisation.
Dr Collins, associate professor in agronomy at La Trobe University, joins the BCG board with more than two decades of experience in agricultural research, education, and industry collaboration.
Hailing from a family farm in the Victorian Mallee, Dr Collins has worked across Australia’s leading agricultural research institutions including the University of Melbourne, CSIRO, University of Queensland, and La Trobe University.
Her research, funded by GRDC, AgriFutures and the Department of Agriculture, has focused on improving crop productivity through better water-use efficiency, understanding crop responses to heat and drought, and enhancing nitrogen fixation in legumes.
Mr Giles is a corporate farm manager with more than 15 years’ experience across dryland and irrigated systems, bringing a commercial and operational lens to BCG.
With a background in strategic farm planning, agronomy, machinery investment, irrigation design, and financial governance, he offers critical insight into the practical and business realities of running high-performing farms.
“I’ve always believed the best innovation comes from applied research developed in close partnership with growers,” Mr Giles said.
“BCG is a national leader in this space, and I’m thrilled to support and represent the region’s growers on the board.”
