The Greens’ lead South Australian Senate candidate has made a whistle-stop tour of the Limestone Coast.

Barbara Pocock visited the region last week to speak with producers, education facilities and community groups during a two-day tour.

Prof Pocock is aiming to joining current Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young representing SA if elected at next year’s federal election.

Prof Pocock, an economist and Emeritus Professor at UniSA, grew up on a mallee farm near Lameroo and has worked in universities, shearing sheds, the Reserve Bank, on farms, in unions, for the government and as a mother and carer.

At UniSA she led a team of researchers studying how work affects women, men, children and the households and communities in which we live.

Prof Pocock said the Limestone Coast was a diverse region.

“I have learned what a fabulous food bowl the area is and how important it is for people like me who want to represent the state outside the city,” she said.

“You cannot get the whole picture in two days, but it’s really important for me to understand what is going on with farming and production in towns like this.

“I want to know how people have fared under COVID and I’m picking up some really encouraging themes.

“Country people are very resilient, people have survived, but yes hospitality and the arts have suffered.”

Prof Pocock said she visited the region to “listen and learn”.

“I take very seriously the possibility of representing the state in the Senate, having grown up in Lameroo I understand the state does not stop at the toll-gate,” she said.

“Food production is so important, our country towns and our regional areas are so important to our economy.

“As a member of the Economic Development Board, last time I was here we visited mills, meat production and fish production so I know how important this area is for food production.”

Prof Pocock said she also wanted to see real action on the climate crisis.