Meet the bold young innovators shaping the future of agrifood (original) (raw)

Previously known as the evokeAG. Future Young Leaders Program and sponsored by Coles, the evokeAG. Groundbreakers Program aims to develop the skills of current and emerging leaders in Australia and New Zealand who are dedicated to making a positive impact on rural industries and communities.

The five selected Groundbreakers will take to the stage at evokeAG. 2025 in Brisbane on 18-19 February, where they’ll showcase their projects and ideas to a global audience of investors, producers, corporates, researchers, and policymakers.

Each participant will receive a dedicated mentorship and a post-event bursary to fuel their ambitions to drive positive change across rural communities and Australian agriculture.

Harriet Mellish, AgriFutures Australia’s General Manager of Global Innovation Networks, commended the remarkable talent and innovative solutions of the 2025 Groundbreakers.

“This year’s Groundbreakers are tackling some of the most complex challenges facing our sector with real, impactful solutions,” said Mellish.

“Their ideas are vast, spanning from improving access to fresh, nutritious food in Australia’s remote communities to pioneering sustainable, indoor agriculture, sustainable seaweed cultivation and carbon neutral fertiliser.”

“With this exceptional talent emerging in the agrifood supply chain, Australia’s future is full of potential. AgriFutures Australia and Coles are incredibly proud to support and elevate these bright young innovators as they shape the future of our industry.”

Tim Nitschke, Head of Livestock at Coles commented on the importance of fostering the next generation of leaders across Australia’s agrifood value chain.

“Coles plays an important role in helping Australians eat and live better every day, so we are genuine in our desire to foster talent and emerging ideas to tackle some of the complex challenges the agrifood sector is currently facing and drive positive change.”

“We’re excited to support the Groundbreakers Program and are impressed by the calibre of work by this next generation of leaders. Our partnership with evokeAG., highlights our commitment to the long-term success of the agriculture industry and our support of Australia’s rural industries and its communities,” said Nitschke.

The 2025 Groundbreakers are:

Malachai Clements (QLD, 21 years old) is drawing on his agricultural roots and Indigenous heritage to tackle the limited access to fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables in his hometown of Weipa, Cape York Peninsula, a challenge that is having adverse community health outcomes. Through permaculture and community gardens, Malachai is working to provide free, nutritious food to improve wellbeing in his community. Malachai has a vision to create nutrition education programs for school children, roll out broader permaculture initiatives and advocate for infrastructure improvements to facilitate better overland transport for essential groceries. Alongside his community work, he is also studying to become a chiropractor with a commitment to enhancing health and wellbeing across the Cape York region.

evokeAG. 2025 Groundbreaker Malachai Clements.

Alex Montanari (WA, 26 years old) is the founder of AGRA Farming Technologies in Perth, pioneering indoor plant factories that sustainably produce crops at the same price as traditional farming. Motivated by a mission to address climate change and agricultural challenges, Alex’s indoor farms ensure a stable, year-round crop supply, unaffected by climate or weather conditions. His innovative approach not only enhances shelf-life by 40% but also provides better working conditions for farmers and higher-quality produce, making sustainable farming accessible and affordable.

evokeAG. 2025 Groundbreaker Alex Montanari.

Alisa Mihaila, (QLD, 26 years old) an aquaculture research scientist with a PhD in Biological Sciences and a foundation in Marine Biology and Ecology is an emerging leader in sustainable seaweed cultivation. Alisa is pioneering sustainable seaweed cultivation methods, recognising seaweed’s immense potential to address climate change, nutrient pollution, and food security while boosting rural economies. Her work aims to advance Australia’s seaweed farming industry through cutting-edge research and knowledge sharing, helping coastal communities cultivate a sustainable and eco-friendly income source that supports both livelihoods and the environment.

evokeAG. 2025 Groundbreaker Alisa Milaila.

Thomas Norman (NSW, 22 years old) is piloting Australia’s first commercial-scale green anhydrous ammonia fertiliser for broadacre cropping. In partnership with FarmLink Research, Thomas’s project Clean Green Ag is conducting field trials to demonstrate the practical applications of the carbon neutral fertiliser, which has the potential to reduce scope 3 carbon emissions by up to 15 per cent, a critical step toward meeting Australia’s 2030 carbon targets. Thomas is also an active member of his local Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigade, contributes to the Riverina Ag Network and participates in the Rural Management Strategies group, supporting young people in leadership roles on family farms.

evokeAG. 2025 Groundbreaker Thomas Norman.

Indiana Rhind, (NSW, 25 years old) an agricultural engineer from the Central Coast of New South Wales, is the Co-Founder of Farmwall, a startup developing innovative, aquaponic indoor farms that enable businesses to grow plants in corporate spaces. Passionate about reconnecting people with agriculture and promoting circular-economy principles, Indiana also leads STEM-based educational programs for schools, providing students with hands-on experiences designed to spark interest in agriculture and inspire future careers in the sector.

evokeAG. 2025 Groundbreaker Indiana Rhind.

evokeAG. is Asia-Pacific’s annual convergence of innovation, science, technology and ideas shaping the future of agrifood. The event is a unique platform where startups pitch game-changing innovations, scientists unveil pioneering discoveries, global business leaders share bold ideas, and industry experts engage in provocative debates.

With a dynamic new format for 2025, the event promises an immersive, hands-on experience designed to ignite collaboration and inspire the kind of critical thinking that drives real action.

To find out more on the 2025 evokeAG. Groundbreakers cohort, head to evokeag.com/Groundbreakers

For more information about evokeAG. 2025 and to purchase tickets visit evokeag.com/2025.

AgriFutures Australia is encouraging delegates to secure their tickets, flights, and accommodation early to avoid disappointment.

ENDS

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

ELLIE MCCARTHY | p: 0499 355 439 | e: [email protected]

Key information

evokeAG. 2025 will be held on Tuesday, 18 February and Wednesday, 19 February 2025 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The week will commence with the evokeAG. Welcome Event on Monday, 17 February, on the eve of the event. A number of sideline events hosted by evokeAG. partners will take place throughout the week.

About evokeAG

evokeAG. is powered by AgriFutures Australia and funded by the Australian Government, Platinum Partner Elders, Host State Partner Queensland Government and Host City Partner Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA).

The event is a leading global agrifood technology and innovation event that unites the agrifood innovation community across the Asia Pacific and around the world. It is a showcase of bold ideas, groundbreaking innovations and disruptive science driving agriculture towards a better future.

The 2025 evokeAG. theme, Common Ground calls upon the global agrifood tech and innovation community to unite on common ground to solve shared challenges and seize future opportunities, together.

The 2025 event is set to take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 18 and 19 February, shining a spotlight on Queensland’s $23bn agricultural industry.

evokeAG. 2025 is an invitation to founders, funders and adopters to break out of siloes, to come together to find common ground, and collectively translate innovation into action.