Jemma Lawrence
Sustainable Management Consultant
We sat down with Jemma to chat with her about your role at Pinion Advisory and her new venture to South Australia.
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to a career in agriculture?
My background is primarily in the sustainable agriculture and environmental sectors. Growing up on farms in Tasmania, I developed a deep connection to agriculture early on. I then studied a Bachelor of Environmental Systems from the University of Sydney. Since graduating, I’ve worked extensively in the water, recycled resource and sustainable agriculture sectors, focusing on projects in Tasmania and across Australia.
What is your current role and main responsibilities within the company? How does your role impact the broader agricultural industry?
In my current role at Pinion Advisory, I am involved in dairy effluent system design and management. This work is crucial for maintaining the environment and protecting sensitive receptors in Tasmania, ensuring we avoid the environmental and legal consequences of waterway contamination.
I also serve as the Australian lead for Averum, the auditing arm of Pinion Advisory. In this capacity, we act as a certifying body for Leading Harvest for their cropland and farmland Australian sustainability standards. Our focus is on providing independent third-party certifications across all agricultural industries, including row and permanent cropping, horticulture and livestock production.
Additionally, I collaborate with our sustainable management solutions team to offer practical and innovative solutions for our clients. This includes obtaining approvals and managing projects within various recycled resource industries such as meat processing, milk processing or aquaculture. We also support our clients’ compliance needs by monitoring and reporting to regulators.
Through these efforts, my role most significantly impacts the broader agricultural industry by promoting sustainable practices and ensuring regulatory compliance.
What aspect of your job are you most passionate about, and what motivates you to come to work every day?
I’m most passionate about helping farmers operate in a sustainable and responsible way. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see how we can balance agricultural productivity with the preservation of biodiversity and environmental receptors like waterways. This dual focus ensures that our farming practices not only yield productive results but also foster a healthier environment.
From your perspective, what are the most exciting innovations or trends currently shaping the agriculture industry?
From my perspective, some of the most exciting innovations and trends currently shaping the agriculture industry includes data driven agriculture, where the availability of data is transforming the way producers manage their businesses. By leveraging data, farmers can fine-tune their operations to maximise efficiency and productivity. However, it’s crucial that this data is accompanied by proper education to ensure it is used effectively rather than just accumulating without purpose.
The agricultural industry is constantly evolving. What are your future plans for your career within this dynamic field, and how do you envision your role developing at Pinion Advisory? What new projects or initiatives are you most excited about pursuing?
In an exciting development, I am spearheading Pinion Advisory’s expansion into the sustainable management solutions space in South Australia. This move aims to broaden our service offerings and bring our expertise in this sector to a new region, ensuring that our clients in South Australia receive the same high level of service and innovative solutions that Pinion Advisory is known for. I am particularly excited to expand my work within the viticulture and dairy industries to assist farmers in managing waste in a way that provides sustainable and beneficial solutions to support their businesses.
1300 746 866
jlawrence@pinionadvisory.com