Meet the Board

Shareholder since: 1997
Director since: 2017

Michele has a Degree in Natural Resource Management (Hons) and a wealth of experience in the environmental and agricultural sector. Michele and her husband Mark returned to Griffith in 1993 to take on a dryland and irrigation family farm where they grew rice, other summer and winter crops and prime lamb. During this time Michele had various positions including Executive Officer of the MIA Horticultural Council, Operations Officer with the EPA, the Coordinator of the Murrumbidgee Valley Stakeholders Group – the peak community group in the Riverina trying to negotiate a better deal from the Murray Darling Basin Plan for our community. Michele then went to manage several rounds of On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program for the Ricegrowers Association of Australia.

Michele now works as a Local Engagement Officer for the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder. Michele’s role is to connect the community with how environmental water is managed, and why.

Michele has also held several board positions including the Winegrapes Marketing Board and Deputy Chair of Agrifutures Rice Advisory Panel.
Michele and Mark sold their irrigation in 2019 but still own and live on a dryland block at Myall Park.

Shareholder since: 1989
Director since: 2021

Craig was raised in Whitton and after completing school, he obtained certificates in wool classing and welding through Leeton TAFE. At this time, he formed a farming partnership with his parents and also started share farming with his grandparents, which continued for a number of years.

In 2000 Craig, along with his parents and brother, formed a farming company that continues to operate successfully today. Over the years, the Kefford family have grown most types of broadacre irrigated crops. In summer their main focus is on corn, rice, cotton and seed sunflowers and in winter cereal crops along with raising store lambs.

Craig and his family are always on the lookout for ways to improve their farming practices, striving to increase yields and water efficiency through crop diversity and good management practices.
Craig is a long-time member of the Whitton Rural Fire Service and for several years has held the position of Captain. He is also on the Leeton Whitton Football and Netball Club committee.. Additionally, Craig is a member of the Whitton Town Improvement Committee that works with Leeton Shire Council.

Shareholder since: 2000
Director since: 2024

David is a third-generation farmer, born and raised on his family property north of Griffith. After leaving the farm to qualify as an electrician, David returned to his roots in 1988 and has been farming ever since. Today, the property has grown into a four-generation enterprise, with David’s son and his family now also working the land alongside him.

David’s farming operation focuses on dryland cropping, with wheat, barley, canola and legumes forming the backbone of his enterprise. His commitment to the land, however, extends well beyond the paddock. David is a passionate environmentalist who has established flora and fauna reserves on the property and is actively involved in bird conservation and a mallee fowl project — reflecting his belief that productive farming and preserving the natural environment go hand in hand.

David brings to the Board a lifetime of practical farming experience, a deep connection to the Griffith region, and a long-term perspective shaped by generations of stewardship of the land.

Shareholder since: 2018
Director since: 2022

Jenna is from a third generation farming family, living locally and growing cotton and winter cereals with her husband and three kids. Jenna has completed a Bachelor of Nursing and is currently working as Grower Services Manager at Southern Cotton Pty Ltd. Jenna is also co-owner of Bidgee Automation Pty Ltd. With strengths in agricultural data and technology, farm budgets and document/policy writing, Jenna has a strong interest in sustainable agriculture and economic profitability.

Shareholder since: 2017
Director since: 2022

Having started his career in his family’s horticulture and dryland farming businesses, Steven made the move into mixed irrigation in 2006 and since then, has been focused on expanding Cremasco Ag at Widgelli.
Alongside his wife Jackie and their two daughters, Steven operates a cropping and sheep growing enterprise which aims to increase efficiency and profitability each year, and is centred on improved land and crop management, rice production, pasture variation, sheep feed lotting and wool growing.
As a member of the Board, Steven has strengthened the Cremasco family’s ties to Yenda Producers which date back to 1975; joining the ranks of family members who have taken a keen interest in the growth of the Co-operative for more than four decades.

Shareholder since: 2023
Director since: 2023

Fran Raymond is a cattle farmer in Victoria. She is a seasoned Non-Executive Director, Committee member and senior executive spanning diverse organisations and sectors. Fran also has almost 20 years experience as a Director in the mutual and Co-operative finance and health sectors including as Chair of Defence Bank. Fran is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand and a Fellow of the Institute of Company Directors.
Fran has significant audit, risk, compliance and governance experience and is currently Chair of ANZ Samoa and a Director at the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation. She is also Chair/member of numerous public sector Audit and Risk Committees.

Shareholder since: 2003
Director since: 2025

Kate was born and raised in Griffith before moving to Adelaide with her family to complete secondary school and attend university. While living in Adelaide Kate attained a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of South Australia and commenced a career in the accounting industry. Kate has gained membership of CPA Australia.

Kate has worked as an accountant for more than 20 years proving accounting and taxation services to varying clients. Kate has a special interest in clients in the agricultural industry and family operated farms.

Kate and her husband returned to Yenda in 2003 to run their 3rd generation family farm. Today they operate a mixed cropping enterprise and aim to increase efficiency and profitability through adopting new technologies and methods. While Kate’s role in the enterprise is primarily in finance and administration, she does enjoy hands on time in the paddock.

Kate has three teenage children and would love to provide an opportunity for them all to return to Yenda and become the 4th generation in the family business. This is Kate’s first board appointment which she is finding both challenging and rewarding. She hopes to provide value through her qualifications and experience both as an advisor and running a business.