Former AUSVEG National Manager – Science and Extension Dr Jessica Lye has begun the next stage of her career, moving to a new role as Team Lead – Extension and Communication at Cesar Australia.

During her time at AUSVEG, Jess played a huge part for our industry in a wide range of roles across the biosecurity sphere, from raising awareness and understanding of on-farm biosecurity practices to being part of vital decision-making processes in responses to pest and disease incursions.

Jess’ expertise and experience helped the industry respond to critical issues, including the presence of green cucumber mottle mosaic virus in the Northern Territory and the recent incursion of tomato potato psyllid in Western Australia. Her work in educating growers on proactive on-farm biosecurity measures has also been instrumental in protecting our industry.

Her contributions to our industry while at AUSVEG were recognised in 2016 when she was deservedly named Victoria’s Rural Woman of the Year, which supported her work enhancing biosecurity preparedness for the vegetable and potato industries in Victoria.

Jess also helped to expand AUSVEG’s capabilities in the areas of science and extension. This included taking the lead on vital industry projects like the program for control, eradication and preparedness for vegetable leafminer and helping to manage other industry-funded initiatives.

We’d like to thank Jess for her time helping Australian growers with AUSVEG, and we wish her the best of luck in her future work in our sector.

This post appeared in the AUSVEG Weekly Update published 5 June 2018. Subscribe to the Update using our online form to receive the latest industry news in your inbox every week!