Our People
Nigel Greenwood
ESAI Chairman
Fourth-generation arable grower in Southbridge, raising the fifth generation and doing his best to manage the land with a lighter touch.
Stuart McPherson
ESAI Vice Chairman
Fifth-generation mixed farmer in Sedgemere.
Craig Croft
ESAI Secretary
Third-generation sheep and crop farmer from Lakeside, with a desire to support local farmers manage the current changes required for compliance.
David Birkett
ESAI Treasurer
David is a farming a mixed arable farm near Leeston and was one of the founding members of ESAI, helping to set up the structure and constitution of the organization. A background in hydrology and research has been beneficial to ESAI, along with his experience in numerous governance roles at national level, which has helped guide ESAI during its existence. David is currently the Treasurer of ESAI.
Jo Jermyn Benny
Committee Member
While not considering herself a local (even after 25 years), Jo is proud of the strong, supportive and progressive farming community of Ellesmere. Jo has an Agricultural Science degree, a teaching diploma, and has been involved in agricultural media and technical writing during her career. She farms with her husband, Andrew, and children on an arable and fine wool sheep farm near Southbridge. Advocacy, education and technology transfer are key drivers for Jo’s involvement within the ESAI team. When not farming, parenting, or tramping, Jo can be found supporting the preservation of history in Ellesmere.
Tim Chamberlain
Committee Member
Organic mixed farming on the banks of Harts Creek and Birdling Brook as a fourth-generation farmer that began organic certification in 1985.
Alison Inwood
Ellesmere Sustainable AgricultureAlison Inwood
Committee Member
Alison and husband Stuart have a mixed cropping farm near Southbridge. She has been involved in various local educational and sporting organisations. “This committee is a way to both support local farmers, and share the good things happening in our rural community.”
Carey Barnett
Environmental Advisor
After a long career of environmental planning and consulting roles, including the Selwyn District Council and Boffa Miskell Ltd. Carey and husband Alastair are part of an arable family farm at Lakeside. She has been heavily involved with local schools and sports and has a strong passion for well-being in the rural sector.
David Hewson
Jo Fearn
Project Tinaku Extension Project and IFP – Project Co-ordinator
jo.tinaku@esai.co.nz
021 030 4783
Originally from the UK, Jo and her husband moved to NZ in 2007. They settled on the Coromandel where they owned and operated a seafood restaurant for 10 years. Jo has always had a love for nature and the environment and decided, at the age of 35, to study a Bachelor of Environmental Science Degree with Massey University. The move down to Canterbury in 2020 and the completion of her studies, signaled the change in career that she had been looking for.
Jo loves working with farmers in the Ellesmere area and is passionate about regenerative farming and how it could change farming in NZ to better protect the environment and the climate in the future.
Diana Moroney
Project Tinaku and IFP – Project Administration Specialist
Diana has lived in the Ellesmere district nearly 30 years. Diana’s role within the ESAI is to keep Project finances running smoothly with receipts, payments and reports for the Governance Group. “I am excited to be involved with ESAI projects including the Tinaku Project which will enrich our waterways and creating a legacy for future generations.”
Johanna Blakely
Project Tinaku Co-ordinator
Johanna has a background in horticulture, working in native plant nurseries before training as a Landscape Architect. Since then, she has been involved in developing integrated farm plans, preparing wetland restoration proposals, and writing landscape and visual assessments. Johanna has a passion for native plants, waterways, and the enhancement of biodiversity through ecological design.
