Recognising Women Farmers in the Namoi Catchment

By Rachel Hill, Landcare and Community Support Officer, July 17, 2009

After the success of the Healthy Farmers, Healthy Farms programs in providing education and support for farmers, Liverpool Plains will now turn its attention to educating about opportunities for women in the rural sector and remote areas.

Earlier this month, Liverpool Plains Land Management was awarded a grant from the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. This round of funding was part of the Government’s Australian Farming Future Initiative and was aimed at ‘Recognising Women Farmers’.

As part of this funding, Liverpool Plains Land Management will be hosting a series of four workshops in rural centres in the Namoi Catchment. Aimed at rural women, but open for women in general, these workshops will be about both educating and sharing experiences. Through a series of inspirational speakers and activities, women from rural and remote areas will be able to share knowledge, build networks and develop their leadership skills. These workshops will also educate women on finding a voice, particularly in their important contribution to decision making by both government and industry. We hope to inspire a greater representation of women in Natural Resource Management and agricultural industry boards and committees at both a local and regional level.

Although in the early stages of planning, the workshops are currently proposed to be held in: Warrah Creek, Moonbi, Manilla and Mullaley. It is recognised that the needs and issues of women in these areas vary slightly according to location. This will be taken into consideration in the design of the workshops with the aim to address the needs specific to the women in each of the locations. Whilst Liverpool Plains Land Management will be facilitating the workshops, we will attempt to engage women in formulating the content and timing and in doing so take ownership of their learning and networking needs.

Some of the issues faced by women in rural areas include a lack of access to educational facilities, isolation, a lack of public transport, juggling family and home life and difficulty in pursuing career opportunities due to the remoteness of their location. Many of these issues can be overcome through forming support networks. Coming together to brainstorm ideas, share experiences and be inspired by other’s successes is often the most effective catalyst for change. Guest speakers at the workshops will be inspirational women from the rural sector who have achieved great things by thinking outside the box and daring to try something new.

Often it is a lack of knowledge of the opportunities available to rural women that can limit career and leadership futures. For example, it is a misconception that study must be undertaken at an educational institution. The distance from educational facilities can be overcome as many courses can be studied by correspondence or on-line. The power of forming common purpose groups and using existing resources and services to support such groups will be addressed. Much can be achieved when a group of like-minded women come together, as is demonstrated by the hugely successful Liverpool Plains women’s group, SOS (see http://www.ccag.org.au) and other groups such as the Women in Cotton Group, the Country Women’s Association and many more.

If you are interested in being involved in the organisation of the Recognising Women Farmers workshops or have any issues you would like to see addressed at these workshops, please contact Rachel Hill at Liverpool Plains Land Management on 6741 8316 or email:
Rachel.Hill@lplmc.com.au.

LPLM 6741 8375

www.lplmc.com.au

A healthy catchment for a productive future