A unique
collaboration
SoilCQuest 2031 is a unique collaboration of scientists, farmers, agronomists, business, communication & engagement specialists.
The thread connecting our diverse backgrounds & expertise is a deep respect for the farming profession and the agricultural industry.
We understand daily farm life & culture and how it drives decisions & change on the ground.
Team
Guy Webb
CoFounder & Managing Director
Guy has over 25 years of agro ecological agronomy experience and a passion for soil carbon sequestration and creating a win-win for the farmer and the environment. He has over a decade of experience designing functional and practical microbial packages within dryland broadacre systems for semi-arid environments. Guy draws on a strong background in agronomy, and a deep understanding of soil health, microbiology and sustainable land management and holds a BSc in Resource and Environmental Management. Guy has been the driving force behind the organisation for a number of years and has brought together a cohesive & committed team to work towards SoilCQuest’s vision.
Guy Webb
CoFounder &
Managing Director
Guy has over 25 years of agro ecological agronomy experience and a passion for soil carbon sequestration and creating a win-win for the farmer and the environment. He has over a decade of experience designing functional and practical microbial packages within dryland broadacre systems for semi-arid environments. Guy draws on a strong background in agronomy, and a deep understanding of soil health, microbiology and sustainable land management and holds a BSc in Resource and Environmental Management. Guy has been the driving force behind the organisation for a number of years and has brought together a cohesive & committed team to work towards SoilCQuest’s vision.
Mick Wettenhall
CoFounder & Director
Mick is an experienced grazier and grains and cotton farmer on the Macquarie River near Trangie. He is a skilled farming practitioner and an early adopter of innovative farming techniques. He is a passionate believer that agriculture has a major role to play not only in food security but also in sustainable environmental management and climate change mitigation. Michael brings invaluable practical on-the-ground experience and a common sense perspective to SoilCQuest.
Mick Wettenhall
CoFounder & Director
Mick is an experienced grazier and grains and cotton farmer on the Macquarie River near Trangie. He is a skilled farming practitioner and an early adopter of innovative farming techniques. He is a passionate believer that agriculture has a major role to play not only in food security but also in sustainable environmental management and climate change mitigation. Michael brings invaluable practical on-the-ground experience and a common sense perspective to SoilCQuest.
Andrew Bruem
Chief Executive Officer
Andrew has more than 25 years leadership experience as a SME business owner, Managing Director and General Manager, including as a third-generation agribusiness owner operator in Central West NSW. He brings in-depth knowledge of governance, finance, strategy development, marketing and entrepreneurship from the agribusiness, not-for-profit and service sectors. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Science and has a passion to invoke climate solutions driven by agriculture, harnessing the impetus of resilient farm businesses as positive land custodians.
Andrew Bruem
Chief Executive Officer
Andrew has more than 25 years leadership experience as a SME business owner, Managing Director and General Manager, including as a third-generation agribusiness owner operator in Central West NSW. He brings in-depth knowledge of governance, finance, strategy development, marketing and entrepreneurship from the agribusiness, not-for-profit and service sectors. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Science and has a passion to invoke climate solutions driven by agriculture, harnessing the impetus of resilient farm businesses as positive land custodians.
Erika Van Schellebeck
Stakeholder Engagement
Erika has 20+ years of experience in community & stakeholder engagement, sustainability education and strategic planning in state and local government and the not-for-profit sector across NSW. A city kid who loved school holidays on her grandparents’ cattle & wheat farms, she believes that ecological agriculture holds the key to the resilience of farming communities and is passionate about agriculture as a climate solution. Erika holds a BA in Resource and Environmental Management and a Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Agriculture.
Erika Van Schellebeck
Stakeholder
Engagement
Erika has 20+ years of experience in community & stakeholder engagement, sustainability education and strategic planning in state and local government and the not-for-profit sector across NSW. A city kid who loved school holidays on her grandparents’ cattle & wheat farms, she believes that ecological agriculture holds the key to the resilience of farming communities and is passionate about agriculture as a climate solution. Erika holds a BA in Resource and Environmental Management and a Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Agriculture.
Sophie Lountain
Communications
Sophie holds a Masters by Research (Applied Economics) from the University of South Australia, where she received an ACIAR grant to study groundwater markets in West Bengal, India, focusing on sustainable livelihoods. Sophie also has a Bachelor of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security from Western Sydney University and a Diploma in Nutrition. Sophie received an International Agricultural Student Award in 2020 and 1st prize in the 3 Minute Thesis competition in 2021.
Sophie Lountain
Communications
Sophie holds a Masters by Research (Applied Economics) from the University of South Australia, where she received an ACIAR grant to study groundwater markets in West Bengal, India, focusing on sustainable livelihoods. Sophie also has a Bachelor of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security from Western Sydney University and a Diploma in Nutrition. Sophie received an International Agricultural Student Award in 2020 and 1st prize in the 3 Minute Thesis competition in 2021.
Our scientific
advisory committee
Daniela Carnovale
Chair
Dr Daniela Carnovale PhD, has a passion for working with farmers to increase soil health & function, with a particular interest in soil biology & plant soil interactions as ways to increase soil carbon. She has 15 years of experience in the private sector, non-government organisations, government & academia and is a strong advocate for science communication. Daniela holds an Honours degree in Resource and Environmental Management and a PhD in the effects of agricultural restoration (shelterbelts) on soil biotic communities.
Daniela
Carnovale
Chair
Dr Daniela Carnovale PhD, has a passion for working with farmers to increase soil health & function, with a particular interest in soil biology & plant soil interactions as ways to increase soil carbon. She has 15 years of experience in the private sector, non-government organisations, government & academia and is a strong advocate for science communication. Daniela holds an Honours degree in Resource and Environmental Management and a PhD in the effects of agricultural restoration (shelterbelts) on soil biotic communities.
Joel Williams
Educator/Consultant
Joel Williams is an independent plant and soil health educator and consultant based in Canada. Joel has a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Queensland and an MSc in Food Policy from City, University of London. Joel has worked throughout Australia, UK and Canada and he consults with farmers around the world, implementing strategies to optimise fertiliser inputs, improve soil health and increase biodiversity within agroecosystems.
Joel Williams
Educator/Consultant
Joel Williams is an independent plant and soil health educator and consultant based in Canada. Joel has a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Queensland and an MSc in Food Policy from City, University of London. Joel has worked throughout Australia, UK and Canada and he consults with farmers around the world, implementing strategies to optimise fertiliser inputs, improve soil health and increase biodiversity within agroecosystems.