Our Team
Our team of innovative and experienced professionals are committed to agriculture and delivering genuine outcomes for industry.
Our core focus is inspiring, developing and influencing people and industries across agriculture, globally. We bring a fresh and flexible approach to each project and are dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals.
Maria Thompson - Managing Director
B.RurSc (Hons 1), M.Agr
Maria founded AgSTAR Projects in 2011 and has grown the company by delivering national projects and building her extensive network of primary producer, industry, government and rural media contacts.
With a comprehensive understanding of Australia’s livestock industries and structures and a positive, can-do approach, Maria has delivered industry strategic programs and submissions, facilitated national initiatives and contributed to policy development for Australian agriculture.
Maria thrives on inspiring and developing others and delivers training in extension and adoption, adult learning principles, program logic, monitoring and evaluation.
Maria specialises in:
- Project design and program logic
- Adult learning styles
- Facilitation
- Monitoring and evaluation
- National program coordination
- Australian livestock industry projects
Podcast episode: Seeds for Success, Maria Thompson, “AgSTARS: The value of young, enthusiastic leaders in farming.”
Media: Maria Thompson’s journey to success
Callen Thompson - Consulting Partner
B.Sc (Agriculture)
Callen is an extension specialist with a strong technical background in crop and pasture agronomy, beef production and feedbase management. With more than two decades of experience across private industry and government, Callen brings a rare blend of technical capability, practical production knowledge and proven extension expertise.
With skills in translating scientific information into clear, practical messages for producers Callen has delivered materials in written, visual and digital formats. Callen spent 10 years as a commercial agronomist working with integrated beef, sheep and cropping systems, and has supported producers across Northern Australia to adopt new technologies and develop cropping systems on pastoral properties using co‑innovation and participatory extension approaches.
Callen is an accredited ProGraze™ and CarbonEDGE deliverer, experienced project manager and facilitator, building the capability of producers and extension professionals across both public and private sectors. Through AgSTAR Projects’ workshops, Callen supports extension professionals to drive adoption and practice change.
Callen and his wife Maria own and manage a beef cattle property at Coonabarabran in Central West NSW.
Contact Callen for:
- Program facilitation and coordination
- Extension and adoption training
- Producer‑focused workshops
- Farm planning
- PROGRAZE™ delivery
- CarbonEDGE delivery
- Soil testing
Annie Pumpa - Project Officer
Annie brings more than 15 years of experience across the Australian beef industry, spanning project delivery, livestock marketing, stakeholder
engagement, youth development and seedstock operations. She has built strong connections throughout the red meat supply chain and is passionate
about creating meaningful opportunities for young people in agriculture.
Annie has worked closely with producers, breed societies and agricultural organisations across Australia in both the seedstock and commercial beef sectors. Her industry leadership includes serving as a Board Director of Herefords Australia from 2022–2025 and Chairman of Angus Round Up from 2021–2024. Through her work with AgSTAR Projects and ongoing engagements across the industry, including the National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show, Annie supports national agricultural programs and seedstock enterprises.
Alongside her industry roles, Annie and her partner Grant own and operate GB Livestock, a Purebred Black Simmental Beef enterprise.
Contact Annie for:
- Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association coordination