Australia: Tapping into the talents of farming women

Women involved in farm business have an extraordinary set of skills – from organising workflows in complex, ever-changing environments and managing diverse teams to budgeting, cost control and financial forecasting. The success of many farms strongly depends on the women who are doing the books, coordinating farm administration and contributing to strategic management decisions.

In fact, farm business women have many of the skills and capabilities needed in wider leadership roles in industry and the community.

A new project coordinated by Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) and Growcom aims to tap into the talents and capabilities of farming women – and encourage them to strengthen their confidence as business leaders and bring their skills, ideas and passion to other places.

Workshops this month are an opportunity for women in farm business to pause for a moment, consider their options and aspirations, and plan their next move.

The workshops will consider the range of leadership spaces where women could have an impact and participants will talk through the barriers that constrain them and what support or resources would be beneficial.

Jess Fealy, Mareeba mango and avocado grower and Queensland finalists in the 2017 Rural Women’s Awards, will speak about the strategies she has used to build her networks and influence. Other leading rural women will also share insights about their journey and what they’ve learned along the way.

Later in the year, QFF is planning a survey to canvass farming women’s interests, the constraints they face in moving beyond the family and business space, and what tools and support they would value from an industry leadership development program.

A report will be launched in March 2018 outlining the findings of the project and recommendations for the best way forward for leadership development for women in Queensland’s agricultural sector.

This project is funded through the Office of Small Business under the Advancing Women in Business program and also supported by Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).

Women in Farm Business Workshops

Mareeba – Wednesday 4 October
Toowoomba – Tuesday 17 October
Caboolture – Wednesday 18 October
Emerald – Saturday 21 October (as part of the Queensland Rural, Remote and Regional Women’s Network 2017 Conference. Full program and registrations here: http://qrrrwn.org.au/conference/
Bundaberg – Wednesday 25 October

To register, visit https://www.qff.org.au/blog/workshops-women-farm-business/

For more information:
Growcom
Primary Producers House
Level 3, 183 North Quay
Brisbane Qld 4000
PO Box 202
Fortitude Valley Qld 4006
p: 07 3620 3844
f: 07 3620 3880
growcom@growcom.com.au
www.growcom.com.au