Farming head leads way for rural women

"I am loving my new role," says Bronwyn Muir, the newly-appointed Taranaki Federated Farmers president.

"I aim to use this opportunity to encourage other women who are passionate about the rural industry to establish leadership roles."

Bronwyn was appointed in early December after being a part of the Taranaki Federated Farmers executive for three years.

She is the first female president for the Taranaki provincial group with Bruce Wills, president of Federated Farmers, saying that Bronwyn's appointment means the organisation has hit the voluntary target of 25 per cent of women on boards ahead of its 2015 target date.

Bruce adds that Bronwyn brings a wealth of knowledge to the role having been a dry stock and dairy farmer for many years.

Bronwyn and her husband Phil milk 240 cows on their dairy farm on the Eltham town boundary. This is supported by a sheep and beef farm of 6500 stock units at Mangamingi.

Bronwyn also chairs the Taranaki Women in Farming group, which is governed by Rural Women New Zealand.

She says it is important for women in the rural industry to be a part of organisations such as Federated Farmers and Women in Farming.

"These groups create a network of like-minded people who can offer support regarding changes and challenges in the rural industry as well social opportunities," says Bronwyn.

In addition to her chairperson role, Bronwyn is a trustee of the Taranaki Rural Support Trust. Through this organisation Bronwyn has seen first hand some of the crisis situations that rural families and communities can find themselves in and is confident of what needs to be done to help.

"I believe that there are rural based women with the knowledge and skills that can be utilised to help others effectively," she says.

Bronwyn adds that there are many great teams in Taranaki that help the rural industry move forward.

"I would like to help the women in these organisations establish leadership roles as women often have a better understanding of the issues faced in their local communities," she says.

In her role as president, Bronwyn also aims to ensure the sustainability of agriculture for the next generation.

"It is important that women in the industry work together to ensure all new industry policies are understood and complied with correctly."