Dr Penelope Schulz

Lecturer, Agricultural Consulting - School of Environmental and Rural Science; UNE Archives

Biography

Penny Schulz is a part-time lecturer with her key teaching focus on Agricultural Consulting and recently completing her PhD in the farmer adoption of app technology. Outside of her teaching at UNE, Penny a family cattle and sheep operation in South Australia with her husband Jason. Penny also consults to the agricultural sector delivering projects to the livestock industry and holds several state and national advisory roles, with her expertise in the fields of agtech adoption, livestock genetics and farm business management.

Penny has always been active in the livestock industry past her own farmgate and holds numerous industry and community leadership roles. She is the current Chair of the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, a member of the Premier’s Climate Change Council, a member of the Minister for Primary Industries & Regions Agtech Advisory Group and chairs the SA Cattle Industry Fund Board.

Penny’s dedication to agriculture has been acknowledged by three major rural awards – the SA Rural Woman of the Year 2014, the ABIF ANZ Kellogg Rural Leadership Program scholarship to New Zealand, and the Ag Institute of Australia’s Young Agricultural Consultant Award for 2022, which is in memory of Dr Jim McColl. In 2018, Penny was selected to take part in the inaugural Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program, an initiative of the National Farmer’s Federation to increase the participation of women in agribusiness leadership roles. She has also been actively engaged with PIRSA’s Stepping into Leadership Program for rural and regional women where she is a regular mentor, and also mentors students studying tertiary agricultural courses as they near graduation.

Penny is passionate about having a positive influence on the next generation of agricultural professionals and loves her teaching and unit coordination roles at UNE. Known for her professionalism, engaging nature and her ability to get the job done, Penny is also forward thinking and enjoys the challenge of solving problems. In her spare time, she loves travelling with her family, trail running, stand-up paddle boarding, and is an avid “foodie”.