Bland Women in Agriculture Forum

A resilient community of rural women on the land

Bland Women in Agriculture Forum

A resilient community of rural women on the land

Local Links - Stronger Communities -

LLCI011–026

The issue

Diversification of businesses can help risk management when farms hit tough times and help create more resilient and sustainable farms. Some local farming businesses are already diversifying and value adding to products on farm, but there was little information available locally on how to get started , what information is out there and where to get it.

Women were the targeted audience of the project as attendance at many industry information talks and events is dominated by men. So, in acknowledging and celebrating the role of women within the farming business, ladies were the focus of the project.

The solution

A community grant from Riverina Local Land funded, a forum style event held at West Wyalong on the 30^th of August 2018. The first of two planned events featured Jennifer Medway, from Agrifutures Australia, who spoke on which industries are emerging as part of diversification, followed by Lisa McFadyen from AgValue and Secure Impact, who spoke about property market, and using share farming and leasing as part of your business model. Local business woman Betina Walker, of Whispering Pines Organics also shared her personal stories and journey to create her organic flour mill business.

The impact

Women attending the event took home ideas and inspiration to improve and diversify their farming business. Networking and discussion time during lunch increased the connectivity of local women and provide a resource hub of information. This free event was also a refuge for women on the land to take a break, relax and socialise in this time of drought.