More young women studying agriculture in the Southern Tablelands

In light of International Women’s Day, we spoke to some of the motivated young women studying agriculture in the Southern Tablelands region, who are blazing their own trail and encouraging others to do so as well.

Whether it’s by starting a business at 18, being crowned the 2022 Goulburn Young Woman or getting a job while studying, these local women are blazing their own trail in agriculture and encouraging others to do so as well.

While women have always been involved in the world of agriculture, only recently has there been a shift in attitudes that allows and encourages young women to take the wheel.

According to the most up to date Department of Agriculture ABARES figures, women account for less than a third of Australia’s agricultural workforce and only two per cent of the industry’s senior leaders.

However the National Farmers Federation (NFF) have a goal of doubling the number of women leaders by 2030 through initiatives like the Agriculture Leadership Program.

Applications for the program officially opened on Tuesday, in time for International Women’s Day.

According to the NFF, TAFE NSW also plays a critical role in increasing the representation of women in agriculture.

To find out about the progress they’re seeing, The Bowral News spoke to head teacher of agriculture at Goulburn TAFE, Jill Atkinson.

“Over the last few years we have more young women in our agriculture class than we have in the past,” Ms Atkinson said.

“We used to only have two or three girls in that class and now it’s getting close to 50/50.”

When asked why she thinks there’s been an uptick in the region, Ms Atkinson credited an increase in young women seeing themselves represented in the industry.

“We’ve done a bit of promotion at TAFE but I think there’s older women in agriculture that are supporting girls to be in the industry,” Ms Atkinson said.

“Some of the girls become trainees, which means that businesses have employed them and support them through their studies.

“The culture is definitely shifting in this area.”

Ms Atkinson said that making connections within the local community is a great foot in the door.

“Networks are a strong way of developing a community of young people that are pursuing a similar end,” Ms Atkinson said.

Goulburn local and agriculture student at TAFE NSW, Claire Liversidge, has made it her mission to expand the Southern Tablelands community of young people pursuing agriculture.

The 22 year old was also voted Young Woman for Goulburn this year by the AP & H Society, who run the Goulburn (agriculture) Show.

from left: Claire Liversidge (Goulburn Young Woman), Taylah Eyre-Hughs from Gloucester and Piper Conder from Maitland at the Lismore Workers Club for the zone 1 final Sydney Ag Show Young Woman 2022.

“I’ve always had a dream of being the girl in the sash as a kid,” Ms Liversidge said.

“I wanted to be an ambassador for young people in agriculture especially in our region.”

“I’ve noticed in Goulburn it’s harder to get the younger generation involved and after speaking to a lot of other young women in NSW we’ve all got the same issue.

“As Young Woman I wanted to promote the show more and involve young people.

Her mum, who was the Young Woman for Crookwell (then called showgirl) inspired her to apply.

“Mum is a major role model for me especially when it comes to agriculture,” Ms Liversidge said.

“I’m more of a livestock person, but in the last few months I realised I want to be an ambassador for agriculture and marine biology as a conversationalist.

Ms Liversidge spoke about the shift in culture when it comes to being a woman in agriculture.

“Every generation has been fighting for women in agriculture and I must say we’ve done a pretty good job,” Ms Liversidge said.

“A lot of men are now accepting that we’re not just going to be in the kitchen, that we can do things like shearing – a physically exhausting job that farmers are now seeking women to do.

“Women are seen as more empathetic and people are now asking for that kind of lifestyle in the shearing shed.”

Samantha Larter, 23, is based in Moss Vale at a beef cattle farm with her mum and uncle, and has been a shearer herself. She very impressively started out her agriculture business at the young age of 18.

Samantha Larter, 23, with her dog at the family farm in Moss Vale.

Her part-time company, Beltana Farm Services, involves animal sitting, farm maintenance, and stock management around the Southern Highlands. She also has some clients in the Southern Tablelands.

At the start of the year, she was offered a part-time job as a farm assistant at Moss Vale High School, and is doing a diploma in agriculture at TAFE.

I am very passionate about agriculture and at 18 I just wanted to give my business a go — and it’s the best thing I’ve done,” Ms Larter said.

— But I realised that as a young person I just dived in head first which made me re-evaluate and want to extend my knowledge through TAFE, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry.”

“These days you need those qualifications to get the best advantage.”

The busy young woman is also involved in barrel shows on the weekend, mainly helping at rodeos.

“I was taught about cattle from a young age by my uncle who lives next door, and in High School I got involved in the cattle team which really took me a long way,” Ms Larter said.

“The biggest support and inspiration I got was from my agriculture teachers and now I’d like to do the same thing.

— my ultimate goal is becoming an agriculture teacher through TAFE to inspire other young people to get involved in the industry.”

Jess Ryan, 21, is based on a farm in Crookwell, and just finished her Certificate 4 at TAFE Goulburn.

She is moving towards her career as a stock and station agent, and is currently working at and being supported by Duncan and Co while she studies to help them with livestock administration.

“Agriculture was bread into me and I love it and can’t see myself doing anything else,” Ms Ryan said.

“My goal is to learn as much as I can in agriculture and go out and experience it all.

“Mum and dad have always supported me and like the idea of me doing secondary education.”

She said that she was happy to see a change in attitude towards women getting involved in agriculture.

“Nowadays people are always saying there needs to be more women in the industry and I’ve never really let anyone tell me that I can’t do it,” Ms Ryan said.

“It’s an industry for everyone and I think everyone should be able to have a go.”

Ms Atkinson, who has met and supported all three women at TAFE expressed pride in their achievements.

“You should chase those dreams if you want to be in the industry and I think Jess, Sam and Claire have all done that,” Ms Atkinson said.

“There’s a lot of career opportunities for girls in agriculture just as many opportunities as there is for boys.”