Our People

Nathan grew up in South Australia and studied a Degree in Food Science and Technology at the University of Adelaide. He completed an Honours Year investigating the influence of Barley genetics and agronomic conditions on the impact of beer and brewing quality. For the last 16 years, he worked for Lion across NSW and Tasmania and as the Brewery Director of J. Boag and Son in Launceston.

He is a qualified Master Brewer from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling in the UK, has a Masters of Business Administration from UniSA and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has been a board member of Self Help Workplace in Youngtown for the last six years, the Chairperson for the last three years.

Neil Grose is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working across many aspects of the business advocacy and communications, networking and lobbying fields. Neil has a long history of advocating in regional economic development, racing, government and political circles and now in the agriculture space with TasFarmers. He is a proven performer under pressure in all genres of media (print, radio and TV), as well as demonstrated excellence in event management, public speaking and media relations.

He is a strong community liaison professional with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts with a subsequent Bachelor of Education from the University of Tasmania.

Neil has also been a professional trout guide in Tasmania’s central highlands, editor of several successful national fishing and boating publications, the author of two books and makes wooden boats in his spare time.

Grayson is a proud Tasmanian and a dedicated professional with extensive experience in marketing, communications, and business development. He has held several leadership roles in healthcare, including Marketing and Business Development Manager at Health Care Insurance and Head of Brand and Communications at St.LukesHealth.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Grayson has been actively involved in philanthropy, serving as President of Foundation 33. where he led fundraising efforts for Tasmanians in need and has been a volunteer board member for St. Michaels, supporting people with physical and intellectual disabilities in Launceston.

As a new Policy Officer for TasFarmers, Jono is dedicated to advancing Tasmania's agricultural sector, with a primary focus on the livestock industry. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology, specializing in Marine Resource Economics, from UTAS. This background brings with him an analytical skill set and an understanding of resource management, which he plans to apply to the agricultural sector. Currently pursuing a Certificate in Agriculture, Jono is increasing his knowledge and skills in the field, enabling him to better support and collaborate with the state's farmers.

Jono is passionate about Tasmania's growth and sustainability and is excited to channel this enthusiasm into his work with the Red Meat, Wool, and Dairy Councils. He is committed to forging strong relationships with the state's farmers, working together to build a better future for all.

Jasmine has recently joined the TasFarmers team as a policy officer. She has called Tasmania home from a young age and has always been passionate about the environment and its sustainability for the future.

This passion inspired her recent completion of a Bachelor of Science at the University of Tasmania with a major in Geography and Environment.

She will have a primary focus on the environment section at TasFarmers including areas such as water, weeds and sustainability. She is excited to begin her career in agriculture and work with members to ensure they are represented with passion and integrity across all levels.

Ellen has joined the TasFarmers team as the project lead of our Low Emissions Livestock (LEL) Project. Ellen grew up and has lived in rural Tasmania for most of her life. She spent time on the mainland where she completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Ecology and Conservation Biology at Central Queensland University and then onto University of Adelaide completing Honours, researching the diet of wild deer in South Australia, using DNA analysis to identify plants from stomach content samples.

With previous career experience in wildlife management, forestry and primary industries Ellen holds a passion for forward-thinking, innovation, and environmental management.

Ellen is excited to be working with TasFarmers on the LEL Project alongside key project stakeholders and farmers. The project will explore the large-scale implementation of low-emissions feed supplements into the beef and dairy industries across Tasmania. 

Simone is an established business leader with sound business development and management skills. She has worked across many industries including real estate, advertising and promotions, leadership development, and more extensively in tourism as an award-winning tourism business owner. Simone has an Advanced Diploma of Management and a graduate of the Tasmanian Leaders I-LEAD program. Simone has recently retired from the Inland Fisheries Advisory Council after serving eight years, a pervious director of Visit Northern Tasmania, and a founding member of Just Like Jack.

Laura Brooke recently joined TasFarmers as Executive Assistant to the CEO, bringing with her a strong background in executive support, operations, and events management. Originally from West Sussex, UK, Laura has worked across a variety of sectors including energy, finance, and professional training, where she built a reputation for exceptional organisational skills, discretion, and a proactive approach to supporting senior leadership teams.

Since relocating to Tasmania, Laura has been committed to contributing her expertise to TasFarmers’ mission of supporting and advocating for the farming community. With a passion for building strong relationships and driving operational efficiency, she plays a key role in facilitating the smooth day-to-day running of the organisation.

Mark Yole is a seasoned professional with a strong background in agriculture and community leadership. He has held roles at the TasFarmers, contributing to policy development and stakeholder engagement to support Tasmania's farming sector. Mark's practical experience in agriculture complements his commitment to advocating for rural communities. 

Sophie Folder is a seasoned professional in agricultural extension and community development. Currently serving as a Drought Resilience Coordinator at TasFarmers, she engages directly with producers to gather insights on seasonal challenges and inform policy and program development. 

Previously, she contributed to the Tas Farm Innovation Hub as a Knowledge Broker, facilitating connections between research and practical applications in agriculture. Sophie's background includes operating her own agricultural consulting business and holding extension roles in both Victoria and Tasmania.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua

Tas (Ian) Loane is a seasoned agricultural professional dedicated to supporting Tasmania's farming communities. Currently serving as the Drought Resilience Coordinator for King Island at TasFarmers, he works closely with producers to navigate seasonal challenges and build long-term resilience. Tas collaborates with stakeholders, including the Tas Farm Innovation Hub and government agencies, to connect farmers with essential resources and support services. His practical, community-focused approach is grounded in years of experience working directly with producers during difficult seasons.

Jessica O’Brien is the Events and Partnerships Coordinator at TasFarmers, where she plays a key role in organising industry events and fostering collaborations that support Tasmania’s agricultural community. Her work involves coordinating forums, managing stakeholder engagement, and contributing to policy-related initiatives. Jessica brings a practical, detail-oriented approach to her role, helping to strengthen connections between producers, partners, and the broader sector.

Laura has recently returned to Tasmania, where she grew up and studied Maritime Logistics Management at the Australian Maritime College. With a passion for shipping and livestock relocated for a one-year contract role in Broome, WA working in Live Export. After enjoying the warm weather decided to stay in Broome another two years working in livestock compliance and welfare whilst assisting with the grazing management plan on a property. The past six months she has been travelling other areas of WA whilst working on a cattle station.

Prior to moving to WA Laura had worked in Logistics roles in Tasmania within the Agricultural industry and always enjoyed problem-solving to ensure the best outcome for Tasmanian Farmers.