Empowering women in agriculture: What the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Means for Tasmanian farms

The agricultural industry, particularly in rural Australia, has long been built on hard work, resilience, and the innovation of its people. While men have traditionally held much of the spotlight, women have always been a driving force in shaping these communities, even if their efforts have often gone unnoticed. That’s starting to change, and the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is at the forefront of this shift. This award isn’t just a recognition of women’s contributions to agriculture, it’s a tool designed to empower women to take on courageous leadership roles and lead rural and regional Australia into the future.

But there’s a perception problem with farm work in Australia, let’s be honest about that. For too long, the narrative around agricultural labour has been one of exploitation, hardship, and isolation. And while there are still plenty of challenges to address, we believe in a different story. Farm work doesn’t have to be a last resort or a back-breaking, thankless job. With the right systems and support in place, it can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

That’s what the Farm Work Loop is all about, flipping the script on what it means to work in agriculture.

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We’ve created a model where workers are encouraged to travel, build relationships, and develop new skills while having a sense of security and continuity in their work. And let’s not forget about our locals. We lift them up, shaping and developing them into leadership roles on our farms, where they become our core crew during the off-season and trusted leaders in the peak season. In return, farmers get motivated, productive workers who are invested in their farms and the community’s success. It’s a win-win situation, and the early results are already proving that this approach works.

For me, being named the Tasmanian winner of this award is both an honour and a tremendous responsibility. It’s deeply humbling to be recognised, and I’m profoundly thankful to AgriFutures and Westpac for believing in my vision to contribute to the transformation in the agricultural industry. But beyond personal achievement, this award is an opportunity to truly accelerate the work that we’ve been doing through Left Field and our Farm Work Loop initiative. This isn’t about shiny titles, it’s about creating real, lasting change in how we approach farm work, labour, and worker experiences in agriculture.

But let’s not sugarcoat it, there’s still a long way to go. Agriculture is an industry that can often resist change, and there are some entrenched ideas that need shaking up. And that’s exactly what the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is about, disrupting the status quo. It’s about bringing inclusive, courageous leadership into the spotlight and providing women with the support and resources to create meaningful impact in their businesses, industries, and communities.

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For me, this award has already started to drive tangible results. Since the announcement, we’ve expanded Left Field’s Farm Work Loop initiative nationally and arranged our first group of PALM workers to support farms across Australia. These workers, who come from Pacific Island nations through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, are a key part of our vision for creating a sustainable, adaptable and diverse agricultural workforce. The PALM workers are integrated into our Farm Work Loop, bringing not only much-needed labour to farms but also a new cultural dynamic and a sense of shared purpose that strengthens the connection between workers and farmers.

And this is where it gets exciting. The Farm Work Loop started with humble beginnings in North-West Tasmania, but it’s now a national model for improving both worker productivity and experience. It’s a proactive approach that blends travel, work, and community. Workers move between farms, gaining new skills and experiences, while farmers benefit from having tested, reliable workers who are already familiar with the local environment and practices. The feedback from farmers has been overwhelmingly positive, knowing they can rely on a consistent pool of skilled workers has been a game changer for many.

But we’re not stopping there. With the potential of receiving an additional $20,000 grant from Westpac as the national winner, we’re ready to take the next big step forward. This funding will allow us to expand the Farm Work Loop even further, making farm work more accessible and appealing to a broader range of people, from local job seekers to international travellers. Our goal is to not only provide farmers with productive workers but also to create an environment where workers feel welcomed, valued, and supported.

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The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is an incredible platform for bringing this vision to life. It has allowed us to expand our reach, push boundaries, and continue to challenge the norms in agriculture. It’s about more than just recognition, it’s about action. Over the next 12 months, we will continue to build on this momentum, using the award’s platform and funding to grow the Farm Work Loop, reach more farms, and offer more workers, local and from abroad, the opportunity to be part of something bigger than just a job.

So, as we look ahead, I’m excited about the possibilities. I’m ready to keep pushing the boundaries and making farm work in Tasmania, and across Australia, a model of productivity, inclusivity, and community. And I’m deeply grateful to AgriFutures and Westpac for believing in this vision and giving us the tools to make it a reality. Together, we’re reshaping the future of agriculture, one farm and one worker at a time.