A deeper pool of women leaders

The pool of women in New Zealand agriculture with leadership, governance and business skills is getting deeper thanks to a national initiative that recently completed its third year.

Fourteen more graduates from the Agri-Women's Development Trust (AWDT) Escalator programme took the total since it began in 2010 to 39.

AWDT executive director Lindy Nelson said the programme - launched after extensive research into the role of New Zealand women in agriculture and low participation rates at leadership and governance levels-was creating prospective leaders with the skills to govern and lead agricultural organisations and communities.

The 10-month programme included five Wellington-based learning modules, individualised distance learning, coaching and professional development, supported by the trust, industry organisations and mentors.

The 2013 graduates, from Northland to Canterbury, had been supported by 17 members of the Escalator alumni.

"Alumni members are now sharing their knowledge, resources and networks with participants in Escalator and other trust programmes, which includes delivering training, mentoring and on-going support," Mrs Nelson said.

"The alumni are fast becoming a core part of the AWDT's resource that provides a trusted, enabling environment for women in agriculture to realise their potential and grow their sector."

Escalator graduates were increasingly involved in leading agricultural industry= initiatives, projects and governance, particularly in the areas of water, environment, agri-business and industry boards, she added.

Landcorp Farming chief executive Steven Carden told the graduation ceremony that the future of agriculture depended on the young people of today making the industry a 'career of choice'.

"To make the most of our opportunities as a sector, and to solve the problems we're facing, we'll need to attract people from a wide range of backgrounds and with many different skills and experiences," he said.

Meanwhile, Mrs Nelson said demand for places on Escalator had been well in excess of the places available, and this year was no different.

"As a result, we are looking to address the demand from people interested in furthering their leadership and governance skills.

"We have two new programmes on the drawing board, one focusing on leadership skills within the participant's own agribusiness and community, and the other on governance development."