The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) will say goodbye to its long-time chief executive this year.

Alison Stewart has held the position for seven years, and will finish up in June.

Until then, she’s got a lot to keep on top of as the year starts again.

“It’s a busy time for us; we’re finishing off a lot of our field trials, and as soon as we’re done, our growers will finish their harvests for the season.

“In the good old days, there used to be a bit of a lull where you could catch a breath, but those days are well and truly gone.”

True to a commitment she made at the start of her reign as chief executive, she’s stepping back after seven years.

“I thought that was a good amount of time to set some good, ambitious goals, but short enough to put pressure on me to achieve them.”

Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, Stewart first came to New Zealand in 1994 to work in universities; first at The University of Auckland, and then Lincoln.

“Then I went to California and headed up a biotech company.”

She returned here to work in forestry before taking on the FAR role.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding.

“Very varied, very interesting, very challenging.”

There had been lots of “little highlights” over her time with the foundation, but they all boil down to improving grower knowledge and collaboration with researchers.

“We established cultivate ventures, an industry investment fund, which was a bit out there.

“A lot of other organisations have watched it, seen that it’s progressing well and started similar ventures.”

Stewart also said eliminating pests and diseases had been an interesting part of her job.

“We’ve worked with MPI and [helped] eradicate many of those incursions.

“Hardcore biosecurity is a biggie for any agricultural sector, but that was really satisfying, because you’re protecting your industry.”

Stewart officially finishes up with FAR on June 30 this year, and she said that’ll be the last full-time gig she takes up.

“I want to stay doing something, board of director work or agricultural consultancy, but I’ve done 40 years of full-time work.”

The hunt is on for the foundation’s next top dog, but she has full faith in whoever is appointed.

“I think whoever takes it on will really enjoy it, and they’ll love interacting with the staff at FAR.”

She assured readers that the quality and openness of the Foundation would remain, no matter who took on the job.

“Every dollar that the levy peer gives to FAR, we treat it very seriously.

“We try as best we can to prioritise everyone’s interests.”

Board chairperson Steven Bierema said Stewart had been a “driving force,” encouraging the arable sector to take an innovative, science-based approach to their work.

“With great passion Alison has worked with her team to make FAR the go-to organisation for arable research and information, and a workplace where the whole team feels at home.

“She always sought a collaborative solution, but wouldn’t shy away from standing up for our industry when required.

“Personally, I feel privileged to have worked with Alison; as a fellow northern European, I appreciated her direct approach.”

By Anisha Satya