Operations Manager

Hazel was raised on a dairy farm at Tooma in southern New South Wales. A variety of employment and educational experiences including a significant period in scientific research, environmental practice and farmer group facilitation has seen Hazel develop an eye for detail and proven organisational and communication skills.

Hazel’s ability to merge the creative with the technical to produce user friendly information and graphics that promote understanding for individual clients as well as group training outcomes is now a key focus.

Background

During a period with NSW Agriculture Hazel worked in a number of fields including plant pathology, animal nutrition as well as being involved in the early anther cloning work in the barley breeding program. As a member of the Acid Soil’s project team at Wagga Hazel was responsible for managing the pasture field trials around Wagga, including data collection and analysis. This resulted in co-authorship of several published papers.

As facilitator for one of the oldest and largest Landcare groups in NSW, Kyeamba Valley, Hazel compiled a Landcare Guide to Land and Water Management addressing a diverse array of degradation and sustainability issues which was published in 1999. In addition Hazel was also responsible for communicating information, developing display and training materials for farmers and groups on a regular basis. She also secured substantial funding on the Group’s behalf, as well as overseeing the resulting projects.

In 1998, with the foundation of Management Opportunities for Rural Enterprises (M.O.R.E.) Hazel joined husband, Peter, to deliver genuine whole farm advice and planning – one family business to another. M.O.R.E. developed a good track record with its select farm family clients working with all members of the family to help them achieve their goals.

Hazel and Peter also undertook assignments for groups, corporate bodies and government agencies conducting needs analysis focus groups as well as a comparative analysis and feasibility study of an environmental project.

In addition, as a need for specific farmer training was identified Hazel and Peter combined to develop workshops to deliver practical information that had ready applications on farm, such as ‘Looking into Herbicide Resistance’ first run in 2000.

In 2000 Hazel also produced a paper titled ‘Grow more perennial species’ addressing how the strategic use of perennial species in the landscape can promote multiple benefits for both farmers and the environment.

As principals of M.O.R.E., Hazel and Peter formed a dynamic team with a comprehensive and diverse range of skills and an understanding from the big picture to individual farm and environmental issues.

Now with an expanded team in 3D-Ag Hazel and Peter hope to extend their sphere of influence building more productive and profitable businesses tailored to the individual needs of their clients in environmentally sound and sustainable ways.

Qualifications

Assoc. Dip. Laboratory Technology, RMIHE (now CSU) Wagga Wagga

Contact Hazel McInerney