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Rudd Government supporting women and young people in agriculture

22 March 2010
DAFF10/398B

The Rudd Government continues its support for women and young people in rural and regional areas with funding of more than $1.5 million under the Recognising Women Farmers and Next Gen Farmers grants.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke announced the latest rounds of funding under the Community Networks and Capacity Building component of Australia’s Farming Future.

“Women play an important role in enhancing productivity, securing long-term growth in agriculture and supporting regional and rural jobs,” Mr Burke said.

“More than 52,000 women define themselves as farmers or farm managers, contributing an estimated $1.1 billion a year to farm viability.

“It’s also important to support the next generation of farmers – in 2008, agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries had the highest median age of all Australian industries, at 48 years compared to 37 years for all other industries.

“There are many careers opportunities in our primary industries, including in science, economics, accounting, technology innovation, rural journalism and natural resource management as well as farming.”

The Australian Women in Agriculture previously received up to $45,454 for a series of training workshops in Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.

The President of Australian Women in Agriculture Dr Patricia Hamilton welcomed the latest round of grants. “This program has been exceptionally helpful to get more women talking together and expressing their own viewpoints,” Dr Hamilton said. 

The Next Gen Farmers and Recognising Women Farmers grants rounds are part of Australia’s Farming Future, the Rudd Government’s key initiative to help primary producers adapt to climate change.

The grants support activities that aim to:

  • build and share knowledge and experience
  • develop leadership and management skills
  • boost participation in primary industries
  • develop skills to contribute more effectively to government and industry decision-making
  • build networks among rural, regional and remote Australians.

Recognising Women Farmers and Next Gen Farmers are a part of a range of initiatives supported by the Australian Government to promote women and young leaders in rural and regional Australia.

For a list of successful applicants visit http://www.daff.gov.au/farmingfuture.