Meet the rural women leading the way
If the efforts of Australia’s regional women are anything to go by, future female leaders will have plenty of role models to follow into agriculture.
The saying goes, “you can’t be what you can’t see”.
It’s often a comment on under-represented people in communities: those who in the past have worked hard with little recognition.
But if the efforts of Australia’s regional women are anything to go by, the women of the future will have plenty of role models, mentors and leaders to follow in the agricultural field.
On International Women’s Day, The Weekly Times is celebrating up-and-coming women in agriculture who work on and off farms to innovate and collaborate.
Josie Clarke knows better than most what it’s like to feel invisible and under-represented in agriculture.
Her family’s life changed when her father, Glen, was left a paraplegic after a truck accident when she was just five years old.
Raised on her family’s beef cattle farm near Kempsey, NSW, Josie saw first-hand the efforts of her mother and family to rally around her father as he adjusted to life with a disability.
“Mum is an incredible lady who raised four kids and ran the farm when it was suggested we sell,” Josie said.
The 25-year-old, who is working on her PhD in gene editing for crop improvement, has since founded Ability Agriculture, an online community changing the narrative around disability in farming.
As last year’s NSW AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner, Josie is now working on launching a website with a $15,000 Westpac grant, with an employment page to better publicise inclusive agricultural jobs.
“For me, telling stories is just the beginning. I want Ability Agriculture to be the representative voice for disability in our industry, to ensure the conversation is on the table for future policy planning and workforce planning,” she said.
“Ability Agriculture is amplifying the voices of those who have long been under-represented in the sector … a place to share stories and create a community for not only rural Australians that have a physical or intellectual disability but also carers, family members, health professionals, agribusinesses or anyone with an interest in making agriculture more accessible.”
Carmen Quade, who runs a cropping business in the northern Riverina region of NSW, knows the power of a woman in the everyday running of a farm.
Despite often being in charge of the business management and administration side of farms, Carmen said women could be under-represented in visual representations of modern Australian farming.
“Lots of the images and stories are about women working in the paddock, which give the subtle message that unless you are outside, doing a stereotypical man’s job, you as a woman have less value,” Carmen said.
Her business, AgriFocused, provides face-to face training and online courses to help people in the business-management side of a farming enterprise.
She said it was important to highlight the power of the skilful work a woman could do behind a desk in managing finances and the business side of a family farm.
“Yes, women can do anything that a man can do, however women that choose to work their magic in other sides of the business for the most part remain unseen,” she said.
Representation remains key to continuing to empower and celebrate women across all sectors of society, something that 30-year-old Jackie Elliott has dedicated her life to.
Jackie , who lives at Byaduk in southwest Victoria, founded the non-profit network Rural Women’s Day to connect women across regional Australia.
Balancing her time between her husband’s farm, her parent’s property, and her part-time work for Farm Tender, Jackie has also completed a Diploma of Agriculture, with a specialisation in beef production.
But it is her passion for sharing the stories of her fellow women and their successes on and off the land that drives her to connect people from all regions through her Rural Women’s Day networking events.
She draws inspiration from hearing the stories of working women, sharing their achievements with other women who may benefit from their experience.
“I wanted to connect with other rural women in my area. We invite speakers to come and share their stories. These are everyday women who are relatable,” she said.
“They are more than just one label.”
Jackie said visibility in the agricultural sector was important not only to celebrate the achievements of women in agriculture, but to lead the way for those seeking guidance and inspiration in their careers.
“When I went to agricultural college, I had no idea what I wanted to do,” Jackie said.
“It really didn’t happen until I was in my late 20s. Now I am 30, and a director of a company I started. It’s something I never thought was achievable.”
ANGIE NISBETT
Based in Hughenden, Queensland, Angie Nisbett juggles motherhood and her work as a grazier with her husband, with her podcast Married To The Land. Connecting rural women across Australia, Angie is driven by her passion for sharing the stories of women on the land.
JAYMEE IRELAND
Recently named John Deere Service Technician of the Year, this 22-year-old’s passion for agriculture stems from her time spent with her grandfather on a sugarcane farm in Far North Queensland, where her love of farming machinery was born. She also completed a Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance while still at school.
EDWINA MURRAY
A qualified agronomist who once worked as a jillaroo, Edwina Murray is a field services manager with New Edge Microbials at Albury, NSW. Her work contributes to adaptive soil microbial solutions, working to improve global food security.
CHLOE BROWN
Running a dairy enterprise in western Victoria with her husband, Chloe Brown is also the co-founder of the Cream of the Crop conference: a networking event for women in dairy. She also is the host of her own podcast, More than Milk, highlighting the efforts of primary producers in the dairy industry.
FRANCES EVANS
Having returned to her family sheep and cattle property near Warren, NSW, violinist Frances Evans has launched the inaugural Warren Chamber Music Festival with her husband, Nick. Together, their aim is to bring world-class musical concerns to the Warren Shire and wider region.
FIONA GREENWAY
President of the Mansfield Country Women’s Association, Fiona Greenway has worked to provide essential support for women, children and families in Victoria’s northwest.
NIKI FORD
The youngest leader of Australian Organic Limited, chief executive Niki Ford was a participant in the 2021 Australian Rural Leadership Program, where she travelled to the Kimberley in Western Australia to participate in a number of experimental learning courses. She was also a graduate of the National Farmers’ Federation’s Diversity in Agricultural Leadership Program. She has since returned to the program as a mentor for fellow women in agriculture.
STEPH GERSEKOWSKI
Working as a production system manager for John Deere Australia while being a mum to her two-year-old son, Steph Gersekowski draws inspiration from her mother to challenge traditional gender roles in the agriculture industry. She returned to work just five months after her son was born, and has since commenced a Master in Business while working across the John Deere company.
More Coverage
‘Tremendous need’ for farmer support
A new free and confidential coaching program is available to support farmers dealing with drought across southern Australia.
CFA aims to reach historic milestone for Good Friday Appeal
For 74 years the Country Fire Authority have been raising money for the Good Friday Appeal. And this year, they’re closing in on a significant milestone.