This International Women’s Day, NSW Farmers is recognising the women driving Australia’s agricultural sector.
NSW Farmers’ first female CEO, Annabel Johnson, says the role women play on and off farm keeps regional Australia moving.
“As they say: if you want something done, ask a busy woman, and there is a lot of truth to that,” Ms Johnson said.
“Women are running farms and leading agricultural businesses that are feeding the world – and they’re doing it in a way that’s more productive and sustainable than ever before.
“The future for Australian agriculture is bright, and we’re proud to say women are playing a larger role than ever in driving its success.”
Encouraging the success of female leaders in agriculture has been a continued focus for the state’s peak farm body in recent years, with NSW Farmers’ Empowering Women in Farm Businesses workshops attracting over 700 attendees in 2024.
“Opening doors to get talented women into the agricultural industry is something we’re continuing to invest in to foster a strong future for farming,” Ms Johnson said.
“Women make up 63 per cent of managers at NSW Farmers, while the executive team is 85 per cent women – and while numbers aren’t everything, it’s important we have diversity in the talented and qualified staff we have on board.
“There’s still more to be done to unlock opportunities in the agricultural sector for all, but we’re here to support that every step of the way.”
Two women from the New England are two of the three finalists in the 2025 NSW/ACT AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, highlighting the growing impact of female leadership in an industry long dominated by men. Tamworth’s Dimity Smith and Nemingha’s Katelyn Wall have been named alongside Dubbo’s Carol Mudford as this year’s finalists, recognised for their contributions to agriculture and rural communities.
And women with leadership ambitions are again being urged to apply to the popular Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program (DiALP). Run by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and now entering its eighth year, this program helps women gain skills and networks to take on leadership roles in agribusiness companies and organisations.
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