As chief scientist at Impact Ag Australia, she works across soil health, carbon farming and climate smart agriculture, with a focus on practical, science-backed approaches that deliver value on farm.
A recipient of the 2024 LJH Teakle Medal from Soil Science Australia for her outstanding contribution to promoting and raising awareness of soil science, Dr Orgill was also awarded Landcare Australia’s 2025 General Jeffery Soil Health Award.
She will share practical insights from both soil science and real-world farming, showing how a better understanding of what is happening under foot can unlock opportunities for improved productivity, profitability and resilience.
“The most profitable and resilient farms aren’t always those with the best soils, they’re often the ones that understand their soils best,” Dr Orgill said.
“Knowing what your soil can and can’t do is the first step to making every dollar and every drop of rain work harder.”
Dr Orgill will also lead a hands-on soil pit session during the second day of the event, giving participants the opportunity to take their learning from the conference into the paddock and explore soil structure, function and health in a practical setting.
Joining her on the program is Mr Williams, an independent plant and soil health educator and consultant who has worked extensively across Australia, Europe and North America and is currently based in Canada.
Mr Williams has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science specialising in plant and soil dynamics and an MSc in Food Policy, where he explored agroecology and the motivations and barriers to intercropping adoption.
Widely respected for his ability to translate complex scientific research into practical, accessible knowledge, he has a particular interest in soil biology, plant nutrition and plant soil interactions, and how they can contribute to sustainable and resilient production systems.
In his session, Mr Williams will take attendees on a journey to understand how and why liquid fertilisers work – starting with an understanding of plant physiology before building into the practical detail of liquid fertilisers, including why nitrogen management is so central to getting them right and how other key minerals fit into the picture.
The session aims to translate the science of what’s happening below and above ground into guidance farmers can apply directly to their own liquid fertiliser programs.
For Chatsworth House owners Tom and Sarah Whinney, bringing speakers such as Dr Orgill and Mr Williams to the region is central to the purpose of the event, creating an opportunity for farmers to access high-quality knowledge and explore ideas that can be applied directly to their own businesses.
“There is something really powerful about bringing people together to learn from exceptional industry experts and from each other,” Mrs Whinney said.
“It builds momentum, opens minds and creates the space for farmers to discover something new – whether that’s a practice they could adopt, a market they hadn’t considered, or simply a different way of thinking about their land.”
Day one will feature a conference-style program, with agricultural communicator, farmer, podcaster and former ABC journalist Kirsten Diprose serving as master of ceremonies.
The evening program will continue with drinks and dinner, followed by a keynote presentation from environmental scientist, author and adventurer Tim Jarvis.
Day two will move towards practical on-farm applications, with presentations and discussions covering agtech, foliar applications, soil health and examples from producers already implementing new approaches in their businesses.
The program will conclude with practical sessions in the paddock, including the soil pit session led by Dr Orgill, and an interactive grazing management workshop delivered by RCS and AgriWebb.
Event organisers say the combination of scientific expertise, farmer experience and practical demonstrations is intended to give attendees more than just new information – it is designed to help farmers identify ideas they can take home and put into practice.
“Events like the Chatsworth House Field Day create a space where practical knowledge is shared, new ideas are explored and farmers leave feeling genuinely equipped and inspired,” Upper Hopkins Land Management Group president Jack Tucker said.
Farmers, advisors and industry stakeholders are encouraged to secure their tickets and join the conversation. For more information and tickets, visit www.chatsworthhouse.com.au.
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