Nutramix celebrates Winning Women in Agriculture

WOMEN have always been important participants in the agriculture sector, but their diverse contributions have tended to remain largely unacknowledged. In recent years, women are rising to the forefront of agriculture in many ways — as owners and operators of agribusinesses, landowners, workers, mentors, and much more. On July 31, title sponsor Nutramix hosted a Winning Women in Agriculture Roundtable as part of the 2017 National Farm Queen competition.

The roundtable brought together women from all walks of life who share a love of agriculture and a desire to illustrate how their lifestyles are impacting the world around them. This year’s Farm Queen contestants were treated to inspiring presentations from professionals and producers in the industry. Among these notable women were Tina Hamilton, brand manager at CB Foods & Nutramix; Jade Lee – mother, farmer, philanthropist and 2016 champion female farmer; and Deleen Powell, public relations officer at the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), who also happens to be a pig farmer.

The contestants were introduced to the skills needed to be successful in the agriculture industry, and imbibed lessons on what was required for them to develop as young participants in the sector. Powell, who spoke on ‘Shattering Stereotypes: Women in Agriculture’, said she became a pig farmer because she realised that farming is a very lucrative business, especially when she started thinking about her family and her future. The university graduate, who has no intention of giving up her nine-to-five job, also noted that her pig farm is her biggest priority.

“We need to move beyond the notion that women are only in farming because of it being a plan B, or that they own farms but do nothing on them,” Powell said.

She went on to explain how women with a desire to build their confidence in a male-dominated industry can successfully navigate it by using certain tools and resources.

“As a farmer it’s important to set goals – short-term, medium-term and long-term goals. It is also important to do extensive research and check out the farming landscape of the local, regional and international market. Try to keep the big picture in mind. Think big,” Powell stressed.

When asked about the challenges she has faced, she highlighted the fact that she is weighed down by stereotypes.

Jade Lee then shared her story. She started Little Orchard Farm back in October 2013 with two men with machetes and a community elder who she said blew life back into her father’s 60-year-old Massey Ferguson tractor. To date, she has cleared and cultivated 15 of the 35 acres of farmland, and hopes to cultivate and develop another 10 acres. She also shared stories revealing the secret career habits and hard-won wisdom of accomplished farmers and women in agribusines like herself, providing the Farm Queen contestants with an insight into habits they could take home to boost their own success.

Tina Hamilton, who spoke on ‘Developing and Marketing Brand You’, encouraged the contestants to ensure that the brand they portray offline is the same brand they show online, because their personal brand influences success.

“There are few things as fragile as reputation, especially for women. Don’t be naïve in thinking that what you do on your own time won’t follow you into your professional life. Be aware of the daily choices you make. Take the time to figure out what makes you inspired before you try to inspire others. You will find that people respond to your message more if it is genuine. Finally, make sure you do something every day that makes you feel proud of yourself. Self-love should not depend solely on what others think about you,” she declared.

The interactive session gave the contestants a taste of the hands-on experiences of the presenters. Nutramix expressed the hope that the competition will help to dispel the myth that women are not power players in the multibillion-dollar agriculture sector.

‘Winning Women in Agriculture’ aims to inspire, educate and empower young women in agriculture to play an active role in leading the industry. Nutramix sees this platform as both a unique event and an investment in the future of agriculture, as these young women will become tomorrow’s producers, business owners, and industry leaders.