Three women received national diplomas in agribusiness management at the AgITO AgriAwards held at the Barge Showgrounds Events Centre in Whangarei earlier this month.
They are Donna Griggs, of Waipu, Loretta Smyth, of Matauri Bay, and Kelly Simpson, of Dargaville.
Donna Griggs, who together with her husband Steve was judgedNorthland Farm Manager of the Year in this year's Dairy Industry Awards, recommends AgITO's national diploma in agribusiness management (level 5) to those wanting to succeed in the dairy industry.
She and Steve got together 12 years ago and have had various roles on farms. She had off-farm work at Ruraltec as a tutor and has also written resources for AgITO courses.
"Since then I've been juggling our three kids and relief milking," Donna said. "We're now contract milking 480 cows."
Donna and Steve know exactly where they want their career to go.
"We're moving to 30 per cent sharemilking up the road this June," Donna said.
The national diploma in agribusiness management qualification focuses on developing practical skills in business planning, financial and resource management. It is available as six modules that can be completed individually.
