Prospective participants have reported a change of perception about their story starting from the time they started preparing for this workshop.
Many reported thinking "what's the point? My story is of no interest to others" as they started preparing for the workshop.But here is the point: time after time, workshop after workshop and story after story participants have reported that their own interest in other women's stories have helped them understand why their own story could be fascinating to others!!
Watch all video stories on our playlist by clicking here!
We open with our young members speaking about their experiences. Emma talks about convincing her parents that a career in the dairy sector was what she was going to develop. Linda, Emma's mother, complements the story with a parent's point of view and some lessons learned to share with other parents. Thank you for sharing!
Watch all video stories on our playlist by clicking here!
We open with our young members speaking about their experiences. Emma talks about convincing her parents that a career in the dairy sector was what she was going to develop. Linda, Emma's mother, complements the story with a parent's point of view and some lessons learned to share with other parents. Thank you for sharing!
See how Kate uses memories but also objects to represent past experiences - she holds he staff card as Taranaki Rugby Marketing Manager to remember that once this was a central part of her life - one that defined her identity - but that now things have changed. It took some time and crossroads for Kate to add the dairy farming elements to her story but now she says: "Entering the Dairy Industry Awards sparked my passion for dairying".
Our vision was to farm together and enjoy our lifestyle – and NZ gives you these opportunities! “we never dreamt 10 years ago that we’d have a farm to call our own – but New Zealand gives you those opportunities”. The Dairy Womens Network with its networking and discussion groups is unique to NZ – just get in there and share. You don’t have that in the UK – people are so open here and they want to share their businesses with you. Somebody can just come to you and say: “look, we just want to go into partnership with you. We could buy a farm together. And you meet them by going to these events. Just today I sat by Sue here and she’s invested in a farm in Australia and there is a cheese factory on that farm. And the lady that was sitting on the other side of me is really into being self sufficient – she wants to start making cheese – you just meet people and that networking is so important. live down a no exit road, and it’d be so easy just to stay that way, we could just go and get groceries. But you just gotta go and meet people, it is the only way you expand your horizons really. Katy describes how coming from the UK, she finds the NZ dairy sector a welcoming environment where people readily share knowledge.
A career of my own too - and supporting others in the dairy sector! Brenda explains how her path moved to dairy farming and then away from the farm to develop an alternative career in the medical world. She developed her career when work on the farm diversified.
The power of shared stories – self confidence building and empowerment: Annemarie has identified an issue with dairy women - one that concerns many rural women, not just dairy farmers: geographical isolation may take a hidden toll on you... identify early signs if you are feeling down or lonely and seek help through friends or professionals... She is committed to take up the topic and collaborate with DWN, DNZ and AgResearch, and make sure the information gets back to dairy women.
Pam addresses a central issue - what is the role of male role models? What can we learn from our experience and transmit to our children?
Lyn found a way to turn an obstacle around and in the process develop a new and exciting career path! Can one really craft a budget for a family and in the process enjoy oneself so much??
Making a difference as a DairyNZ Consulting Officer “You don’t always know when you are going to make a difference with farmers [as a DairyNZ CO] but there are times when it hits you in the face. There are situations where I could make a big difference”. Christine talks about situations where her listening skills (as those in discussion groups) helped her help others. “It’s not about me, it’s about facilitating people to work through issues or everyday decisions”. Christine also talks about the importance of looking out for a network/support group if you do not have one – even playgroup was fertile ground for building people skills – the same people skills that are taught in corporate settings. Christine finds multiple ways to follow her passion and assist dairy farmers - her role within DairyNZ helps her do this within the many interactions she has with the community.
Barbara's quest for a good succession plan lead the family to explore different solutions - the obstacle? Different professionals, bankers, lawyers, accountants needed to learn from each other to design the right solution for the family... Barbara's solution? Bring them together around the same table - a unique solution that worked unusually well!
Broni from the Czech Repulic came to New Zealand and discovered simultaneously a growing passion for the dairy industry and the wealth of opportunities to develop her career in the industry. Broni can now advocate directly with potential migrant workers and help New Zealand in its search for new talent.
Sue greatly enjoys the meetings with other women dairy farmers, and the sharing that occurs during these sessions. To get to this workshop, she traveled with another participant for 2.5 hours - each way. At the meeting she decided to form a new group in her area - this is a great example of how the dairy industry finds talent amongst its own ranks and how networks serve to build leadership and strengthen the sector as a whole.
Dairy woman - what is your story?
