Women involved in agriculture across the Northern Tablelands have been embracing the opportunity to empower themselves through networks and knowledge courtesy of the highly successful Ladies in Livestock program.
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An initiative of Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, the project is designed to educate women by building their technical knowledge and capacity to apply the skills gained through the program to their individual enterprises.
Hands-on practical sessions are delivered each month on topics such as livestock management, pastures, biosecurity, pest control, financial administration, health and safety, and natural resource management.
As part of the program, four groups are operating in Guyra, Tenterfield, Inverell and Walcha. While sessions are open to all women, the aim of the project is to target women making onfarm, technical decisions.
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The program is funded through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, allowing sessions to be held at no cost to participants. Project Leader, Georgie Oakes, is the Pastures Agronomist with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services.
Georgie has been delighted to observe the benefits that the Ladies in Livestock project has delivered to participants since its inception in 2016. “It’s exciting to see the passion these women have for the industry.
It is inspiring to see women encouraging each other, as well as their willingness to share their industry knowledge and experiences of their own enterprises with others,” said Georgie.
Forthcoming sessions will be held at:
- Steinbrook Hall, Tenterfield - 4 September Research Station Education Centre,
- Inverell - 5 September CWA Rooms, Uniting Church Hall,
- Guyra - 12 September Walcha Bowling Club - 13 September
Topics to be covered at each session include marketing options and opportunities, pest animal control options and Native Vegetation Act information.
Importantly, the sessions are designed to build confidence and provide women with the opportunity to network and develop new relationships. Many women may be new to the area or have returned on the back of successful careers outside the agricultural sector.
The program is about fostering positive environments. Georgie acknowledges that, given the current conditions, drawing on support through shared experience is highly valuable. “This is why we are encouraging women to attend. The benefits of participating go far beyond the skills and knowledge gained,” said Georgie.
For more information contact Georgie Oakes at Northern Tablelands Local Land Services on 0429 310 264, as well as the Ladies in Livestock Facebook page.
