Jacqueline Rowarth has a Bachelors degree in Agricultural Science with honours in Environmental Agriculture, and a PhD in Soil Science from Massey University. She has worked in research, education and management with Agresearch, Lincoln University, Unitec in Auckland, The University of Melbourne, Massey University, University of Waikato, and the Environmental Protection Authority. In addition, she has held Government-appointed governance roles on the boards of Crop and Food Research, AGMARDT and New Zealand Fast Forward. She is currently a farmer-elected member of the Board of Directors for DairyNZ and of Ravensdown Co-operative Ltd., and is a producer-appointed Director for Deer Industry NZ. She chairs the NZ Grassland Trust, is a member of the Scientific Council of the World Farmers’ Organisation and holds the role of Adjunct Professor at Lincoln University.

Jacqueline is a Past President of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science, and of the New Zealand Grassland Association. In 2008 she was awarded Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Agricultural Science, in 2009 she was given the inaugural award of Agricultural Personality of the Year by Federated Farmers and in 2010 she was selected as the Agricultural Communicator of the Year by the Guild of Agricultural Communicators and Journalists. Jacqueline is a frequent contributor to public debate in the media and remains committed to dispelling the myths that surround food production.