A Conference in Victoria, Australia, Is Providing a Safe Space for Women in Agribusiness to Network and Build Crucial Business Skills.
The agribusiness community is seeing a powerful movement in female empowerment through professional development, with the fourth Cream of the Crop conference selling out in Warragul, Victoria. The event, which hosted over 100 women dairy farmers and industry representatives, is designed to provide a safe space for networking, learning, and business development. According to one of the founders, the conference’s format has enabled women to build confidence and feel more empowered to pursue new ideas and training opportunities.
A key factor in the event’s success was the support from the international dairy community. The conference founders acknowledged the financial constraints facing many farmers due to environmental conditions. To address this, Rabobank funded ten attendees, while Fonterra Oceania provided a discounted rate for all participants, regardless of whether they were Fonterra suppliers. This industry-wide support was a major theme, helping to break down financial barriers and ensure more women could attend and have their voices amplified.
Day one of the conference offered a robust program of presentations and workshops. The agenda included vital topics such as farm safety, succession planning, and grant writing. In a nod to innovative dairy economics, a session on Dairy Australia’s pilot dairy beef program was also featured, highlighting the industry’s push toward diversification. The day concluded with a panel discussion on community connections and the importance of storytelling.
The learning continued on day two with a series of on-site tours. Participants had the opportunity to visit the Ellinbank SmartFarm, a commercial research farm, to learn about the latest research projects in the sector. They also toured the Gippsland Jersey fromagerie factory and retail store. These practical experiences provided real-world context and valuable insights into both the technological and commercial sides of the agribusiness industry.
This year’s successful event, which completed a “loop of Victoria” after previous conferences in other regions, proved that the format works. The conference committee is now looking at how to continue replicating the model. The founders were originally inspired by a personal desire to create an event where women could feel comfortable asking questions and return to their farms feeling empowered to have informed conversations about their businesses. The growth of the conference and its continued value show that they have achieved that goal.
Source: Dairy News Australia, “Event is cream of the crop”
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