Women In Agriculture

Lachlan Hughes was 36 and expecting his third child when he suddenly died in 2018. His loved ones were devastated, but they found a way to ensure his passion for regenerative farming would never be forgotten.

We all have that one thing we cannot live without and for farmer Margaret Graham that thing is goats. It all began when her mum got her a baby doe.

Nancy Withers is a stockwoman who defied convention to become an industry icon.

After watching her farm narrowly survive the inferno of Black Summer and welcoming a grandson into the world, Rachel Ward knew it was time to try to do things differently.

Women weren't legally considered farmers until 1994 and, while progress has been made, they are still under-represented in leadership roles.

Rural women have been building a sense of camaraderie and prioritising their own health and wellbeing as they enjoy their country lifestyle at the Cowgirls Gathering.

Recruiting and retaining staff is one of the most pressing issues in Australian agriculture. The National Farmers Federation is coordinating a paid 'gap year' program on farms to try to expand the workforce.

Tash Handford is taking part in an innovative new program training up enthusiastic city kids with no farming background to help address Australia's agricultural labour shortage.

Entrepreneur and co-founder of 'Grown Not Flown' Nikki Davey is the proud winner of 2023 Rural Women's Award. Ms Davey developed a free digital platform and app to connect consumers with local sustainable flower farmers, reducing ‘flower miles’ and supporting micro economies.

With her all-woman workforce and biscuits that look good enough for humans to eat, Emma Gibbons is breaking into a multi-billion-dollar global market of animal lovers splurging on spoiling their pets.

Once considered a man's job, the number of women working on cattle and sheep stations across Australia appears to be increasing. But it doesn't come without its challenges.

With not a sequin in sight, finalists at the Brisbane Ekka will be dressed in a uniform again this year, to help put them on an even footing amid the cost-of-living crisis.

For a long time, the eldest son has been seen as the natural successor to a family farm. But there is change on the horizon.

The heritage craft of making, repairing, or selling saddles and other equipment for horses inspires these young women to pursue perfection.

Twenty years after cheap flower imports flooded the Australian market, the focus is back on locally grown blooms as shoppers "push towards sustainability".

The red dirt of south-west Queensland isn't just where grazier Shona Underwood works, it's also her muse.

Tess and Andrew Herbert's "excellent" and innovative business practices allowed them to weather the drought, the pandemic and catastrophic flooding. Now their efforts have been recognised with a top honour.

When Samara Leighton's farmer hubby invited her to accompany him on a job scanning pregnant sheep, it sowed the seed for a business idea — now, she splits her midwife skills between humans and sheep.

An agronomy graduate program has doubled its intake, with more women than men entering the industry as strong growing seasons drive the demand for specialist advice.

City girl Kate Waugh traded her Melbourne life for an outback adventure after the COVID lockdowns. The ag industry is crying out for more people to give it a shot.

A Samoan farmer has turned to a Rockhampton dragon fruit producer for rare, expert knowledge in growing a "beautiful" variety that can fetch up to $10 apiece.

An ambitious regeneration project will see four central Queensland landholders plant 30 hectares of forest on agricultural land to increase animal habitat and biodiversity.

With strong career prospects, agriculture classes are back in schools. But with only one graduate last year and 12 vacancies, who will teach the students?

Like many farming areas, women's roles in the apple orchards of Donnybrook went relatively unrecognised in the 1950s. But the region's Apple Queen competition helped to change that.

Marlene Pointon is still pinching herself at the sheer joy of being in the right place at the right time to spot a fogbow and capture the fascinating phenomenon on camera.