Mallee Sustainable Farming (MSF) is proud to announce the appointment of Annabelle Naylor as its 2027 Regional Research Intern, continuing its commitment to developing the next generation of agricultural researchers and extension professionals.
Annabelle is the organisation’s second intern under the South Australian Mallee Regional Internship in Farming Systems and Applied Grains Research and Extension. Funded by the South Australian Grain Industry Trust (SAGIT) and the SA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, the initiative provides emerging agricultural professionals with valuable hands-on experience in applied research and extension across the low-rainfall Mallee region. Annabelle will join the MSF team in February 2027 for a 14-month internship based in Loxton, South Australia, marking another exciting opportunity for the organisation to share its knowledge, mentor emerging talent and help shape the careers of the next generation of agricultural professionals.
Growing up on her family’s sheep farm at Gnarwarre in Victoria, Annabelle has a strong agricultural background and a passion for research. Currently completing a Bachelor of Rural Science (Honours) at the University of New England (UNE), she brings a diverse range of practical experience, including a gap year working as a station hand in the Kimberley and subsequent work on a cattle breeding operation in Central Queensland. Her Honours research focuses on soil science, investigating methods for estimating microbial biomass and whether drying soil samples at 40°C can produce results comparable with the widely accepted fumigation-extraction method. She has also worked as a Research Assistant with UNE’s Terrestrial Carbon Research Group, further developing her research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Selected following a competitive recruitment process, Annabelle impressed the interview panel with her agricultural knowledge, research capability, communication skills and enthusiasm to learn. MSF Research Manager Dr Penny Roberts said the organisation was excited to welcome Annabelle and continue building on its first internship.
“We were really impressed by Annabelle’s knowledge, her ability to communicate research clearly, and her enthusiasm to learn,” Dr Roberts said. “Her background in agriculture, combined with her interest in soil science and research, provides a great foundation for the internship. Having the opportunity to mentor someone at the beginning of their agricultural career is incredibly rewarding. We’re looking forward to sharing our knowledge and experience with Annabelle, while giving her the opportunity to develop her own skills, ideas and connections across the Mallee.”
Throughout the 14-month internship, Annabelle will gain hands-on experience across applied research and extension, from trial planning and design through to sampling, analysis, research reporting and communication. Working closely with MSF’s research and communications teams, she will develop her ability to translate research findings into practical, actionable information for growers. The role will also provide opportunities to work alongside farmers, advisers, researchers and industry partners, as well as attend and contribute to field days, workshops and industry events across the South Australian, Victorian and New South Wales Mallee region.
For Annabelle, the internship offers the chance to build on her existing research experience while developing the extension and industry engagement skills she sees as central to making research relevant and valuable to farmers.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to join MSF and learn more about farming systems in the Mallee,” Annabelle said. “The internship is a great opportunity to learn from growers and researchers, and I’m excited to explore the intersection between research and practical on-farm solutions. I’m looking forward to seeing how these findings can make a meaningful difference to producers and contribute to Australian agriculture.”
Building on its first Regional Research Internship, MSF’s 2027 program reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to investing in the future of Australian agriculture. By combining practical research experience with mentoring and direct engagement with farming communities, the internship will help Annabelle develop an understanding of the challenges facing dryland farming in low-rainfall environments, while giving MSF the opportunity to support and learn from an emerging agricultural professional.
This project is supported by the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, which is one of eight Hubs established across Australia through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. The SA Drought Hub brings together a dynamic network of primary producers, industry groups, researchers, government agencies, universities, agribusinesses, traditional owners and others to work towards a common vision to strengthen the drought resilience and preparedness of farms and regional communities in South Australia. This project received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
