Warm welcome awaits dairy women
any dairy farming women are expected to arrive in Northland as the new season gets under way, and the region’s Dairy Women’s Network is preparing to give them a warm welcome, to make them feel at home “with a tribe of like-minded women” to back them.
Northland Hub leader Sue Skelton described the network as a true Kiwi not-for-profit organisation, built on the famous can-do attitude.
“Our focus is to create occasions for women to get off the farm and connect with others,” she said.
“We develop, facilitate and promote events and initiatives for our members to acquire industry-based knowledge and soft skills. Our webinars, workshops and events have been developed by women in the industry to suit busy lifestyles, so we understand your situation as a farmer or professional, a wife and a mother. While we are a women’s network, one of our core values is inclusivity, and we welcome men, too.”
A team of volunteer leaders across 35 regional groups helped run events throughout New Zealand, workshop topics ranging from on-farm skills such as herd reproduction, calf rearing, shed hygiene and mastitis management, to personal development such as creating a positive culture on the farm and human resources.
“We also cover business-focused topics such as payroll and farm accommodation,” she said. “We make sure all our workshops are delivered in a fun and interactive style, and in a supportive learning environment. We try to record sessions as webinars to build up year-round content for our members, but we also understand the importance and significance of face-to-face connection.
“We invite all our members to join us at an annual conference in different locations around the country, where you have a chance to learn, connect and inspire each other. It’s also a time for celebration, where we dress up for a gala dinner and announce the recipients of our two awards, the Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year and Regional Leader of the Year. We enjoy collectively celebrating our members and everything they do.”
The Dairy Women’s Network had become an increasingly influential industry participant that attracted significant support from leading partners and organisations, which helped provide members with new opportunities in terms of knowledge and leadership so they could add more value to their business and their individual journey.
“It’s free to become a member, no matter what your role in the industry might be,” Skelton said.
“Visit www.dwn.org.nz for more information and to sign up. And if you’ve moved from another region and have been involved with the DWN regional group there, rest assured there’s a group in your new area that offers a similar selection of workshops and social activities, from quiz nights to wine-and-cheese evenings.
“Welcome to the district. We can’t wait to meet you.”
Skelton can be contacted at sue. skelton@dwn.org.nz
Network’s events and initiatives help upskill and socialise