We are the first grower group in Australia with a primary focus on farm data and technology
Esperance Zone Innovation Group (EZI) is a not-for-profit grower group formed in March 2021 in the Esperance Port Zone. We are future-focused and grower-led, acting as a beta-testing hub where growers, tech companies and other organisations explore and prove new technology on real farms, with a focus on member value.
-
OUR PURPOSE
Connecting innovators in agriculture.
-
OUR MISSION
Championing technological advancements that bring tangible benefits to the community.
-
OUR VISION
To lead advancements in agricultural technologies, create member value and collaborate with innovators to achieve sustainable, profitable growth.
Our Values
-
AGNOSTIC
We back what works, not any one brand or platform
-
Grass Roots
Led by growers, for growers
-
Pragmatic
Practical ideas, tested on real farms
-
Innovative
Open to new ideas and new ways of working
-
Honest
Straight talk about what works and what does not
What We Do
Build skills: workshops, information days and farm demonstrations that help growers get more from technology.
Test technology: SPROUT puts new products on real farms, with four levels of grower involvement.
Back innovators: support for startups and entrepreneurs in the Esperance Port Zone, including our Pre-Accelerator Program.
Connect: we network and collaborate with like-minded groups to speed up agtech adoption.
Committee
-
Chairperson - Terry Antonio
Cropping 8000ha and running a small self replacing merino flock on family farm at salmon gums, interested in making use of the data we capture to make a more informed decision making process around inputs and seasonal variability
-
vice chair/ Industry Representative - Giles McMeikan
Giles is an agronomist (F&G) with a keen interest in utilising Agtech to push the boundaries on farm. He can see a huge upside in utilising existing and evolving farm data to better inform decisions, and create real value in the paddock.
-
Co-Founder and Secretary - Belinda Lay.
Belinda is the Chief Administrator & Finance Business Partner at Coolindown Farms. Belinda enjoys learning new things and is passionate about bridging the “Agtech” divide. As Agriculture faces it’s digital revolution she wants producers to be able to influence how that affects their business.
-
Treasurer - Natalie Bowman
Natalie was born in Esperance . She is a broad acre farmer from Grass Patch, WA, cropping 8000ha with her husband Leon and son Ash. She is a self-confessed paper hater and double handling of data even more so. With multi-generational staff she is looking to wrangle data with ease and simplicity.
-
Grower Representative - Tyson Redding
Tyson is a broardacre farmer at Scaddan, WA. Cropping 3000Ha with his uncle and aunt. He is interested in trialling new technology to push yield potential and make better informed decisions.
-
Grower Representative - Thomas Pengilly
Thomas is a mixed livestock family farmer in northern Cascade WA. With a passion for finding the return on investment in technology to make farming decisions and management more efficient.
-
Grower Representative- Brett South
Brett Joined the EZI committee at the 2026 AGM as a grower representative
-
indusrty representative- john noonan
-
Industry REPRESENTATIVE - Lucy Anderton
-
Immediate Past President & co founder- John sanderson
John is part of a family farming business cropping 6000ha across grass Patch, Varley & Cascades. John has been home for 10 years and has a young family. Illness has driven John into utilising data for organisation and productivity, which quickly grew into a passion.
EZI philosophy
Farm data belongs to the producer who has paid for the equipment, subscriptions, ongoing maintenance and staff, and who developed the systems in which the data is collected.
It is the producer's right to have ready access to that data, to do whatever they choose with it to gain insights into their business, to share it with fellow producers, or to provide it to third parties for mutual benefit.
Read more
ANNUAL REPORTS
Governance
The current constitution and strategic plan was developed by the EZI committee and adopted in August 2021.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Esperance Zone Innovation Group (EZI)?
The Esperance Zone Innovation Group (EZI) is Australia's first grower group focused on farm data and technology. Founded in 2021, it's a not-for-profit based in the Esperance Port Zone of Western Australia that helps producers own their data and adopt practical agtech.
Where is EZI based?
EZI is based in Esperance, in the Esperance Port Zone of Western Australia, and its programs and events run across the surrounding grain and livestock region.
When was EZI founded?
EZI was founded in March 2021 as a not-for-profit grower group — the first in Australia to make farm data and technology its primary focus.
What does EZI do?
EZI connects producers with agtech developers, researchers and investors, runs on-farm technology programs like SPROUT, and advocates for growers' control of their own farm data. It exists to help producers shape the future of agriculture.
What is EZI's position on farm data ownership?
EZI believes producers should own and control their farm data, with the right to access it and choose who they share it with. This principle guides every project and partnership the group takes on.
What programs does EZI run?
EZI runs SPROUT (on-farm agtech co-design), the EZI Pre-Accelerator (support for early-stage innovators), PEEP (Producer Exposure and Emersion Program), and the EZI Bushfire Network, a farm data-sharing initiative for emergency response.
Who is EZI for?
EZI is for growers, agribusinesses, technology developers, researchers and industry partners who want to put practical technology to work in agriculture. Producers retain majority control of the organisation's governance.