Our governance

Aaron is a cotton grower based in the Emerald region and is the President of Queensland Farmers’ Federation. Aaron was previously a QFF Director and Vice President, having been elected in November 2021. Aaron is also the past President of the Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association Inc.

Owen Menkens is a cane grower at Home Hill and prior to taking over the family farming business worked in accounting and banking. Owen is the Chairman of CANEGROWERS and President of the World Association of Beet and Cane Growers (WABCG). Owen was elected as QFF's Vice President in 2025. 

Russ Higginbotham has over 30 years of experience in the horticultural industry. He is Principal of Asset Horticulture which he founded in 2000 when he recognised a need in the industry for a multifaceted consultancy service.

With a background in Agronomy and Horticulture, Russ’ skills were first highlighted in the design and management of the Epiphyte Forest with Harlequin Nurseries for Expo 88.

Russ’ Asset Horticulture projects include South Bank’s Grand Arbour, Roma Street Parklands, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens and the Surfers Paradise Foreshore Redevelopment to name a few.

Russ was elected a Director of QFF in 2019.

Joe is a dedicated and experienced farmer and proprietor of the family farming business, A Moro & Son. He has grown a wide variety of crops over the years including pumpkins, zucchini, cucumbers, capsicums, tomatoes, papaws, watermelons, citrus and tobacco, but he now solely grows mangoes.

Joe has many years of experience in business and the horticulture industry, serving as Chairman of the Mareeba District Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association since 1995 and assisting with the formation of the Australian Mango Industry Association.

Joe was elected a Director of QFF in 2018.

Kay Tommerup is a dairy farmer and agritourism operator from the Kerry Valley region of the Scenic Rim. Kay, together with husband Dave, and adult children Harry & Georgia, runs a 6th generation dairy and mixed farming business that value-adds to all farm produce through agritourism, selling direct to customer, with high-end restaurants across Brisbane and Scenic Rim taking the majority of their product. Kay was elected a Director of QFF in 2022, before being elected Vice President in 2023. The Board established the Skills-based Director position in 2025.

Georgie is a cotton grower and was elected to the QFF board in 2023.

Joe Bradley is a dairy farmer from Dayboro. Joe is the President of eastAUSmilk and was elected to the QFF board in 2025.

Originally from a sheep and cattle property near Cunnamulla in far SW Queensland, Jo has worked across a number of industries from agriculture, small business and local government to education, communications and the NFP sector developing skills in both public and private sectors.

Jo previously operated her own business for 10 years delivering Vocational Education and Training to the agricultural industry partnering with RTO’s across Queensland and NSW.

Formerly an elected councillor for 12 years including Mayor for 4 years with the Paroo Shire Council, Jo has a sound understanding of regional and remote Queensland and extensive experience in economic development and advocacy.

Other roles have included CEO with the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, and Director – Stakeholder Engagement with the University of Southern Queensland, Jo is now CEO with the Queensland Farmers Federation. QFF is Queensland’s peak agricultural representative body, working collaboratively with its peak body members to progress issues and challenges facing farmers across the State. Collectively, QFF through its peak body members represent over 13,000 Queensland farmers.

Jo holds a Bachelor of Business (University of Sydney), a Diploma in Executive Leadership (Oxford University), a Certificate in Sustainable Investing (Harvard Business School), is an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate and has held a number of board and advisory roles including previously Commissioner with the Queensland Local Government Grants Commission, Director with Sunwater, and Chair of Eco-Markets Australia. Jo is currently a director with the Clean Energy Regulator.

Jo is a strong advocate for the agricultural sector and has a special place in her heart for regional and remote Queensland.