Meet the Green Thumb Farm Team
The Green Thumb Farm Team
At Green Thumb Farm, we are proud of the dedicated individuals who make our farm thrive. From behind-the-scenes leadership to the hardworking teams on the ground, everyone at the farm plays a vital role in bringing our vision to life.
Management Committee
Green Thumb Farm is overseen by a committed management committee, responsible for guiding the farm’s direction and handling the important business side of things.
- Susanne Engelhard, Head of Operations, leads day-to-day operations with a focus on streamlining processes and ensuring smooth functioning.
- Lisa Watts, President, provides strategic direction and vision, helping steer the farm toward its long-term goals.
- Nils Franz, Treasurer, manages the financials and ensures the farm’s financial health.
- Andreia da Silva, Secretary, keeps things organized and manages important communications, helping the team stay aligned.
Together, they take care of the essential administrative duties, allowing the farm to run efficiently and effectively. It’s a lot of work, but their dedication ensures that everything—from operations to finances—runs smoothly.
Lisa Watts- President
Lisa is a community focused leader who has worked in the public, private and not for profit sectors for over 20 years. She has undertaken studies in law, sustainability, holds postgraduate qualifications from the University of Queensland in policy and governance, and in 2022 was awarded the Public Leadership Credential through Harvard University. Lisa has led projects and programs that deliver significant positive social, economic, and environmental benefits and that have consistently received national recognition. She is passionate about the power of connected communities to make a positive difference in people’s lives, the creation of third places, and the power of nature and art to restore us (even for those who are not naturally drawn to either!).
Andreia da Silva - Secretary
Andreia is a strategic and solutions-focused Program Manager with a career spanning business operations, sales teams enablement, and relationship management across regional and global projects. Currently completing qualifications in Sustainable Food Systems through Harvard Extension School, Andreia is committed to contribute to projects, programs, and people whose core mission is to replace current systems by sustainable and regenerative models, allowing future generations to live productive and healthy lives. With a strong analytical mindset and a proactive approach, Andreia thrives on distilling clarity from complexity, crafting strategic plans, and executing them with precision.
Nils Franz - Treasurer
Nils is an accomplished finance professional bringing significant commercial acumen and experience with a background in corporate finance, M&A and investment banking. Growing up in a small town with family members in the farming industry and later going on an adventure as a chef have given him significant appreciation for food, locality and how their interplay shapes cultures, health and well being.
Susanne Engelhard - Founder, & Head of Operations
Susanne is a respected leader and advocate for re-localising food production, recognizing its essential role in building healthier and more resilient communities. With postgraduate qualifications in International Public Health, she has extensive experience in public health initiatives across Australia and is passionate about the connection between food, wellness, and community resilience.
Since 2020, Susanne has been instrumental in shaping a local movement in support of locally grown food. She co-founded the Samford Edible Garden Trail, and launched the inaugural Moreton Bay Farm Trail to highlight local farmers, strengthen community connections with producers, and champion the growing local food movement in the region. Her vision for Green Thumb Farm is to create a first-of-its-kind farm in Southeast Queensland—a place that brings visibility to the importance of locally grown food, serves as a hub for seasonal produce, and inspires people to reconnect with how food is grown.
On-the-Ground Teams
While the management committee handles the big picture, our passionate operations teams work tirelessly on the ground to bring the farm's vision to life.
- Garden Team: Led by Ian and Will, the Garden Team works in harmony with nature to grow fresh produce for our community. Their care and dedication ensure that every plant thrives and contributes to the farm’s bounty.
- Nursery Team: The Nursery Team, led by Susanne and Pete, nurtures the seedlings and plants that become the heart of our farm’s growth. Their expertise in plant care ensures a healthy start for all our crops.
- Farmgate Markets Team: Lyn and Taelum manage the market side of the farm, ensuring that our products make it to the community with care and pride. They create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors, ensuring that farm-fresh goods are accessible to all.
- Education Team: Led by Susanne, with support from Kym, Jasmin, and Rachel, the Education Team fosters community engagement and shares the farm’s knowledge with visitors. Through workshops, tours, and educational programming, they help people connect with nature and learn about sustainable farming practices.
Each of these teams brings a unique set of skills, expertise, and passion to their work. Together, they make Green Thumb Farm a special place for learning, growing, and connecting with nature.
Team Emails:
General enquiries: admin@greenthumbfarm.org.au
Education enquiries: programs@greenthumbfarm.org.au
Farmgate enquiries: farmgatemarkets@gmail.com