Ex Urrbrae student finds her calling in PIRSA’s climate change team

For Summer James, who is now part of PIRSA’s climate change team and attended the Urrbrae Ag careers expo as a student, it was “surreal” to have represented PIRSA for the first time at the event in 2026.

When Summer was a year 12 at Urrbrae Agricultural High School (UAHS) in 2022, she always knew she’d pursue a career in the ag sector.

Coming from the Eyre Peninsula (EP), which is renowned for its high-quality grain production with the region accounting for on average, 40 per cent of South Australia’s (SA) wheat crop and both parents farmers, the industry was calling.

After making the decision and more than 600 kilometre trek to relocate to Adelaide and complete her secondary schooling at UAHS, Summer says it was the expo which showcased to her the breadth of careers on offer in the ag sector.

“I knew I was interested in ag and more the cropping, environmental, plant and soil space, but I wasn’t sure on what job opportunities were out there especially those relevant to my field of interest,” she says.

“By attending the expo as a student, I was able to explore the diverse career opportunities out there, which then allowed me to make more informed and tailored subject choices.

“All of this has led me to where I am now with PIRSA.”

Small moments spark soil curiosity

Top left to right: SARDI’s Rohan Kimber, PIRSA’s Summer James, SARDI’s Jamee Daly, PIRSA’s Rachel Stead and PIRSA’s Jack Reid.
Bottom left to right: PIRSA’s Penelope Morrison, SARDI’s Sue Pederick and SARDI’s Casey Gove represented SARDI and PIRSA at the Urrbrae Ag Careers Expo 2026.

Today Summer works as a Program Support Officer with the Department of Primary Industries and Region’s (PIRSA) Climate Change Team.

Recently, she represented PIRSA’s stall at the 2026 expo, where alongside fellow teammate Penelope Morrison, she educated students on the importance of soils and soil management with relevance to food production.

For Summer, seeing the willingness from students to learn about the connection between soils, science, policy and agriculture and how these all unite to combat climate change, was immensely rewarding.

A standout moment for Summer was when a teacher informed her that one student had left with the newfound knowledge of how the pH of soil can influence plant available nutrients, thereby altering the visual colour of some flowers.

“This might seem small, but it sparks curiosity and the deeper conversation of what, why and how. It emphasises the relevance and value of the work PIRSA is doing especially in the soils and climate space.”

UAHS Principal Todd George says Summer’s career pathway from former student to now PIRSA staff member is why the expo is so critical.

“Summer’s journey showcases how academic and practical learning can translate to real-world application,” Todd says.

“This year we had a record-number of vendors and more than 600 students attending from across SA.

“For many this expo is where that early work for their dream career begins.”

SARDI Entomologist Casey Gove, who was a presenter at the UAHS’ Student Panel Discussion, spoke about her journey of becoming an entomologist.

Real-world projects, real results

Currently, Summer is working on the South Australian Livestock Sustainable Solutions Program.

Delivered in partnership with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), the three-year program is aimed at building SA’s red meat and wool producer capability and confidence in emissions monitoring and management, while increasing their understanding of the relationship between productivity, profitability and emissions.

It explores and supports the adoption of emissions reduction strategies through technology solutions. The program is being run across six participating demonstration sites and eight regional producer groups across the state, covering low, medium and high rainfall, and pastoral zones.

Extension activities to support the program’s roll out and evaluate producer engagement include field days, workshops, webinars and on-farm demonstrations.

PIRSA, an agency with agility and purpose

For Summer, who has well and truly found her feet in her new role, having come through the South Australian Soils Collaboration Centre’s (SASCC) graduate program, a collaboration between PIRSA and the Department of Environment and Water (DEW), she never envisioned she’d be working for PIRSA.

“Having the opportunity to work alongside regional staff, industry partners and community organisations, has allowed me to develop my professional judgement, adaptability and communication skills,” Summer says.

“Working in PIRSA’s climate change team is challenging me to think more broadscale and consider the wider influence our work has on the industries, communities and people it impacts.

“I now have a deeper understanding of the responsibility we have as an agency to deliver relevant and effective initiatives.”

One word of advice Summer has for those aspiring to enter the ag industry: “Whether you like research, technology, extension or farming, the sector will always require people who can think across disciplines, stay open-minded and are willing to learn.”

PIRSA is a proud sponsor of the Urrbrae Agricultural High School Careers Expo.