Business & Rural
10 February, 2026
Research box ticked by new hires
Jade Gledhill and Noah Homsy King have joined the team as graduate members of its Research Agronomy team.
THE Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) is working to strengthen its research capability across north-west Victoria by adding two new faces to its ranks.
Jade Gledhill and Noah Homsy King have joined the team as graduate members of its Research Agronomy team.
“Investing in people is central to BCG’s future,” BCG chief executive Fiona Best said.
Ms Best said both graduates would bring exceptional academic credentials, hands-on research experience and a strong commitment to applied, farmer-focused science.
Their appointments reflect BCG’s continued investment in young people and its long-standing role in delivering independent, evidence-based research to farming businesses across the region.
Ms Best said the appointments reflect the organisation’s focus on building long-term research capacity and supporting the next generation of agricultural researchers.
“Jade and Noah both bring outstanding energy, capability and depth of experience for early-career researchers,” she said.
“Their skills across field research, data analysis, laboratory work and stakeholder engagement will add real value to the breadth of projects BCG undertakes each year.
“Importantly, they also share a strong commitment to applied research, science that directly supports better decision-making on farm.”
Ms Gledhill recently completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at Deakin University. She also holds a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of Melbourne, majoring in plant and soil science, studied at Dookie College, along with a Certificate III in Agriculture.
Her strong grounding in both agricultural systems and scientific research methods will support a range of BCG field and laboratory-based projects.
Mr Homsy King joins BCG with a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems from the University of California, Davis, graduating with a GPA of 3.6, and an International Baccalaureate Diploma completed in the Netherlands.
His academic training spans crop production, soil science, agroecosystem management, grazing systems, extension education and science communication.
Mr Homsy King has extensive research experience as a Research Assistant in the Gaudin Agroecology Lab at UC Davis, where he contributed to large multi-site field studies, survey and interview analysis, and co-authored publications on integrated crop–livestock systems.
He has also partnered with farmers and industry groups to develop best management practice guides and presented research findings at academic conferences.
In addition, Noah brings valuable project management and community engagement experience from his work with the Bubugo Conservation Trust in Uganda, supporting farmer-led projects and sustainable agriculture initiatives.
The two will be allocated across multiple projects within BCG’s extensive research portfolio, contributing to trials, data collection, analysis and extension activities that underpin BCG’s annual research program.
Their appointments come as BCG enters its 34th year of supporting farmers with access to independent, locally relevant research and information.
As a farmer-driven organisation, BCG continues to deliver value to its members, with memberships priced at $500 per farming entity, ensuring research outcomes remain accessible and grounded in regional needs.
“By backing talented graduates like Jade and Noah, we are strengthening the research capability of our organisation and the broader region, ensuring farmers continue to benefit from trusted, independent knowledge well into the future.” Fiona said.
BCG mission has remained consistent over 34 years, to improve the prosperity of farmers and communities by delivering benefits through innovation, research and extension.
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