Adelaide Hills farmer Deanna Lush takes out state’s top rural women’s award

Helping bridge the cultural gap between city and country dwellers has been among Deanna Lush’s priorities since setting up her business.

AgCommunicators general manager Deanna Lush has taken out the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

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Helping bridge the cultural gap between city and country dwellers has been among Deanna Lush’s priorities since setting up her business.

The Adelaide Hills sheep and cropping farmer took out the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award at Urrbrae House yesterday.

The Palmer woman is also general manager of AgCommunicators, a firm specialising in communications and education for people involved in primary production, science and natural resources.

“City-based people might think that farming and agriculture is about straw hats and pitch forks, but that’s entirely not the case,” Ms Lush says.

“There are many farms which have significant amounts of money invested in their land, machinery and technology, and there’s so many skills involved with farming.”

Ms Lush runs AgCommunicators with business partner Belinda Cay.

“I’d like to think that we’re helping to make a difference in people achieving their goals, but also for people to look at our industry and know that we’re doing great things,” Ms Lush says.

She was recognised following a project that involved her travelling to the US, Canada and UK, to learn about ways to foster a greater level of trust in the agriculture sector.

“I saw what farmers were doing in those countries to bridge that divide,” Ms Lush says.

Other finalists included Di Thornton, of Pinnaroo, Michelle Verco, of Clare and Natalie Sommerville, of Andrews in the Mid North. Ms Lush will now vie for the national title in September, against other state and territory winners at a ceremony in Canberra.

She will also receive a $10,000 bursary from Westpac to develop a program to help producers engage with non-agricultural audiences.

Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone said each of the finalists were passionate about ensuring the role of primary producers was understood and valued in SA.

“It is fantastic to have finalists from a cross section of agricultural communities and I have no doubt they will continue to play an important role in their local regions inspiring other women to get involved and make a difference,” Mr Whetstone said.

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