Women in Arable (formerly Active in Arable) was formed in 2001 when a cluster of Canterbury women promoted a business orientated discussion group for rurally based women involved in arable farming.

To date, the group has been jointly funded by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and MAF Sustainable Farming Fund (MAF SFF). The group is now in its seventh year and continues to receive the exceptional support of arable women in the Canterbury region.

Women in Arable consists of more than 70 members with an average of 25 members attending each monthly meeting. Historically these meetings have taken place in Ashburton, a central location for most members.

Rachel Greenwood, Communications Manager for FAR is the group's facilitator. Having many valuable contacts in the industry, Rachel provides an array of presentation opportunities from high profile and well respected industry representatives, which in turn allow the women to become more involved in the day-to-day running of their businesses.

To date an array of topics have been covered at the meetings ranging from information technology, soil fertility, strategic planning, irrigation management, employment law, off farm investment through to environmental issues, machine replacement plus many others.

Objectives

As the group has been so successful in meeting its objectives, FAR is keen to ensure that it continues to do so; and as such is seeking financial support to assist with its continuity.

The group get together 10 times per year, usually from March through to December which allows for a break over the holiday season when many members have other family commitments.

The members are extremely motivated and committed to learning more about their business. A meeting is therefore held at the end of each year to summarise the key learning points for the previous year and to brain-storm new ideas for the coming year.

The objectives for the 2008 season were to re-look at some of those topics already covered which the group identified as being the most beneficial, and to also look at new areas such as crop monitoring, succession planning, personal well being, horticulture, machinery replacement, off-farm investment plus others.

Case Studies

Here's what a couple of the members say...

Olwyn Lochhead is a dedicated group member, she says, I thoroughly enjoy attending the meetings; they've not only provided a great opportunity for me to network with other arable women, but have also enabled me to develop a clearer understanding of those slightly more technical issues associated with arable farming.

Tash Williamson is one of the group's newer members. She says, I have been involved with cropping farms since leaving school and for the last 12 months have had the opportunity to work as Trainee Farm Manager at our family farm in Ashburton. Over the year there has been an excellent line up of speakers whom I have learnt a great deal from; in particular those top cropping farmers who have given up their time to come along and talk to the group. I've also found that the nature of the group has given me the confidence to be up-front when asking questions which can be difficult when surrounded by men!