The 101 hats worn by Grace Griffiths
There are many fascinating pockets of Aussie agriculture and Grace Griffiths is keen to explore them all.
After graduating from ag science uni in 2022, Grace noticed her peers also had ‘tunnel vision’ when trying to find their place in agriculture.
“I was totally unaware of what I could do with my degree. I had no idea of the different roles available to me, even having grown up in agriculture,” she says.
“I had my blinders on a bit, you get tunnel vision and you kind of cut yourself off from other opportunities.”
Driven to inspire other young people to consider a career in agriculture, Grace created 101 Ag Pathways, a platform showcasing the many doors open to a new generation of professionals.
Grace is an agronomist, cotton grower, GIS specialist and part of her family business Data Ag, based in Goondiwindi QLD.
Through this network, Grace has a developed a deep appreciation for the role innovation plays in drawing diversity back into the cotton industry.
Improved cotton varieties like Bollgard have reduced the need for crop inputs, and dramatically improved nutrient and water-use efficiencies on farms.
“It’s the reason we’ve been able to decrease our pesticide use by more than 90 per cent in the last 30 years,” she says.
“The Bayer R&D is the foundation of how we can operate as an industry sustainability.
“It’s only making us more sustainable and productive farmers for the long-run, which just builds up these resilient businesses in communities like Goondiwindi so they can be fun and prosperous, and have a vibrant, young community.”
Hear Oli’s chat with Grace below.
