Tara Southey

Dr Tara Southey is the Founder and CEO of TerraClim (Pty) Ltd, a Stellenbosch University spin-out at the forefront of climate-smart agriculture. With a PhD in Viticulture and Climate Science, her career has focused on understanding the impacts of climate variability and change on South Africa’s wine and agricultural industries. Dr Southey has led flagship projects on climate risk, water use, and digital decision support, translating cutting edge research into practical tools for producers.

Her work has been instrumental in building high-resolution climate databases, mapping terroir and crop suitability, and advancing the use of geospatial intelligence for agriculture. Through TerraClim, she is pioneering integrated climate data platforms that support industry resilience, sustainability, and ESG compliance.

Passionate about bridging science, industry, and policy, Dr Southey brings both technical expertise and vision for how climate intelligence can secure South Africa’s agricultural future in a changing world.