Dairy women’s leadership programme a first

 Dairy Women's Network chair Michelle Wilson said the organisation was thrilled to receive the funding for the three-year project, and would work with partners AgResearch and DairyNZ to continue developing the leadership capacity of New Zealand's dairy farming women.

"Women make up 50% of the dairy industry. The risks presented to the industry through economic, environmental and social volatility highlight the need for strong leadership and skills that provide dairying women with the confidence to effect change," says Wilson.

While dairying women were still perceived by many as the household manager, Wilson says the rapid growth experienced by the Dairy Women's Network over the past few years signalled the changing face of the role of women in the industry and the significant contribution they make to its success.

"In reality dairying women are directors, managers and, in many cases, owners of multi-million dollar businesses which need people with sound leadership skills as well as farming, financial and business acumen. This funding will build those capabilities in a sustainable way through a programme that is designed for the unique needs of dairying women and the industry."

Dr Sue Peoples from AgResearch will lead the first phase of the project which involves research to ensure the resulting programme meets the industry's needs.

"We'll be surveying some of the network's 4000 dairy women members and holding focus groups and interviews with industry leaders to get a better understanding of the leadership skills, knowledge and behaviours required by dairying women," said Dr Peoples.

Based on the results of the research, a leadership programme will be developed that includes mentoring, workshops and online tools and resources, such as an e-leadership hub and career pathway hub.

Wilson says while not all dairying women will aspire to be a director, the Dairy Women's Network recognised there is a gap and a need for building more leadership capability at all levels; on the farm, in the community and within regions.

"This leadership programme aims to address the gap between what might be considered non-professional and professional leadership, and help dairying women progress and develop the skills that most already use in their day-to-day responsibilities. For some women, depending on their aspirations, the programme may lead onto further training such as the Global Women, Kellogg and Nuffield programmes."

The goal is to have the first 30 women in the leadership programme by year two.

The Dairy Women's Network has been instrumental in driving the leadership role of women in farm and industry management in New Zealand, including launching the Dairy Woman of the Year Award in 2012. It is the first time the network has applied for and received a grant from the Government's Sustainable Farming fund. The grant will be used over the next three years.

The Sustainable Farming Fund invests in farmer, grower and forester-led projects that deliver economic, environmental and social benefits to New Zealand's primary industries.

DairyNZ congratulates the Dairy Women's Network on its successful bid for government funding.

The Associate Minister for Primary Industries, Jo Goodhew, recently announced that a Sustainable Farming Fund grant of $180,000 had been approved for the network's Project Pathfinder leadership programme.

As a partner of the network, DairyNZ is looking forward to supporting the organisation as it develops future leaders. DairyNZ strategy and investment portfolio manager Dr Jenny Jago says strong leadership is needed as the dairy industry is faced with more complex issues and significant challenges.

"Women already make a very important contribution to the industry and increasing their leadership skills will allow them to make an even greater contribution that will be highly valued by the dairy industry and the wider community," says Dr Jago.

"The network has correctly identified that there is a gap between leadership at, for example, the school board of trustee level and the next level up.

"Women want to develop those leadership skills and use them to help grow the dairy industry and support our local communities.

"DairyNZ looks forward to working with the Dairy Women's Network as it uses the funding to develop programmes to mentor and up-skill the many talented dairying women."