Donna Lucas studied a Bachelor of Applied Science, graduating with honours in 2007 as a mature aged student.
Donna’s early career started on a different path at age 15 within an accounting firm, where she studied through night school to become an accountant.
Whilst enjoying accounting and business analysis, she often pondered about the possibility of studying agricultural science, having grown up on a farm. When Donna’s youngest child went to school, she enrolled at the University of Tasmania as a mature aged student.
Donna said the agricultural science degree allowed her to get started in consulting and meant she could easily move into the job she wanted.
“It also provided a good foundation for all the learning you do on the job, whether that be soil health, crop nutrition or statistical analysis. You never know when subjects from university might come in handy, because your career can go in many directions,” she said.
Donna went on to become a Senior Consultant at RDS Partners then moved over to RMCG where she has been an Agricultural Consultant for the last 11 years and became a Principal in July 2023.
At RMCG, Donna works with people in the agri-food sector to solve problems and put research into practice. With a background in accounting and business management, Donna can advise on financial management as well as agricultural science.
Recently, Donna has been working with primary producers and industries to tackle waste management.
“Producers seek to improve waste management on farms and in industries, however there are often barriers to changing practices including logistics and geographical isolation. We review waste and identify the challenges and opportunities for industry to manage waste,” she said.
“I also work with carbon accounting and help producers to understand soil carbon and business emissions management; and I believe it’s important for producers to get informed about emissions, so that they can tell their sustainability stories.”
Donna said that the agricultural industry needs to consider the full lifecycle of environmental impact.
“From greenhouse gas emissions to renewable energy and water management to plastic waste. Like other industries, agriculture needs to improve its waste management and resource use efficiency,” she said.
Looking back on her career and experience, Donna encourages young agricultural students to develop and broaden their networks and their skills.
“I’ve learned a lot from professional development courses and also from the farmers and agronomists that I work with,” she said.
“Having a good network can be invaluable when solving problems and working collaboratively with different groups of people. Remember to also focus on your soft skills like leadership, teamwork and communication.”
“But most of all, have fun and be kind to yourself and others.”