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Farming Women to Benefit from Grant

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Sustainable Agriculture

A new program is hoping to encourage better recognition of rural women and the influence they have on farms. The program is being run by the natural resource group Wheatbelt NRM, which has identified women as the ones most likely to drive land care. Women who live on farms, but don’t necessarily work on the property, are being targeted. Wheatbelt NRM’s Natarsha Woods said many women don’t realise the influence they have on how farms are managed. “We love hearing from women who are leaders, but we really need to hear from the women who are making important farming decisions around the kitchen table, without knowing it,” Natarsha Woods said. “This includes women who aren’t from farming backgrounds, but now find themselves living on a farm. “While we’ve found men are our main audience at field days, the social research suggests women are the ones most likely to drive work on the environment.” The grants program is looking for four women to tour Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region and meet with the Birchip Cropping Group. “The successful candidates will help us identify the barriers to groups likes us connecting with them, including child care, travel, role definition and knowledge” Natarsha Woods said. “It will also be a great opportunity and comfortable way to get some agricultural knowledge and develop networks.” The deadline for applications is Friday, 18th June 2010. For more information contact Natarsha Woods, Wheatbelt NRM, 9690 2250 or go to www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au and download an application form.