Deakin researcher NSW Young Australian of Year Finalist

Ms Anika Molesworth is a PhD researcher with Deakin’s Centre for Regional and Rural Futures (CeRRF) based at Griffith, NSW, and divides her research between Australia and Southeast Asia.

She said she was both surprised and humbled by the award announcement, and said it was a fantastic opportunity to shine the spotlight on the importance of agricultural research and encourage young scientists to look at careers in rural communities.

Ms Molesworth’s research project Soil amelioration using organic amendments in precision landformed systems: A study of Australia and Cambodia, will investigate how soil physical, chemical and biological properties can be improved by incorporating local agricultural by-products, in turn improving soil fertility and crop production.

“Feeding a growing global population with reduced environmental footprint is one of the defining challenges of our time. And I love being able to play a small role in addressing that,” Ms Molesworth said.

Ms Molesworth, who represented her compatriots at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change last year, is passionate about building resilience in agrarian communities to the challenges we face now, and the challenges of the future.

“Knowledge is key – to understand how our world works, and ensure the best human interaction with it,” Ms Molesworth said.

“Agricultural science is developing new technologies and management practices to aid farmers, and researchers in this field are making a meaningful contribution to food security, the protection of our natural resources, and are helping to ensure the vibrancy of our rural communities.

“New science provides significant benefits to the agribusiness sector including reducing uncertainty, boosting productivity, lowering input and production costs and reducing environmental impacts. Investing in agricultural science is investing in our future.”

Apart from promoting climate change awareness, inspiring youth and researching solutions to food security, Ms Molesworth also helps manage her family’s sheep station near Broken Hill.

“My love of the land arose from the expansive red plains of the Far West of NSW. There’s a raw untamed beauty out there – it’s a challenging, ancient environment and extremely fragile,” Ms Molesworth said.

In addition to her research work, Anika Molesworth runs Climate Wise Agriculture to promote climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, and heads the International National Trusts Organisation’s Sustainable Farms program for the conservation of natural and cultural heritage on farming properties around the world. Last year her work was recognised by winning the Australian Young Farmer of the Year award.

CeRRF Director Dr David Halliwell said Ms Molesworth was a passionate young researcher with a strong connection to the land.

“Anika has seen first-hand the extremes that drought and a changing climate had on her parents’ sheep farm and is motivated to raise awareness of these issues and take action to improve the situation,” Dr Halliwell said.

“Her concerns extend globally and her work in Laos and Cambodia demonstrate her concern and understanding that climate change is a global phenomenon that doesn’t recognise borders, cultures or countries.

“Anika thoroughly deserves her Australian Young Farmer of the Year title, and is an extremely worthy candidate for the NSW Young Australian of the Year.”

The NSW Young Australian of the Year award will be announced on November 7th.