Attendees varied from agronomists, lab technicians, logistics roles, administrative roles, account managers, research technicians, grain traders, farmers and those passionate about the grain and seed industries.
Hosted by the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association (NZGSTA) the interest proved encouraging for the industry.
“The turnout of women in employment within the seed industry shows the future of diversity within the sector is looking good,” NZGSTA general manager Thomas Chin said.
NZGSTA executive councillor Charlotte Connoley says the aim of the forum was to provide more opportunities for networking amongst women within the industry.
The forum was the platform for further discussion and collaboration around key challenges and opportunities that face the grain and seed industries.
Connoley, managing director of Pukekohe-based vegetable seed sales company South Pacific Seed Sales, was the first woman in 100 years of the organisation’s history to gain a place on the NZGSTA executive council in 2018.
Evident by the number of attendees at this year’s forum and the passion many showed for the success of the industry, Chin says it seems likely that before long Connoley will be followed by other women onto the executive council.
In her opening address to the forum National MP for Selwyn Nicola Grigg shared insights into National’s policy for agribusiness and the approach to “make bad bills better”.
Grigg alluded to the legacy of her grandmother Mary Grigg, who was elected MP for the Mid Canterbury electorate in 1942 and shared excerpts from some of her speeches, which even back then supported the significant contribution that arable farmers made to the country through food security.
A key focus for the forum discussion came from Foundation for Arable Research chief executive Alison Stewart’s address on the potential future challenges for the arable sector.
Stewart highlighted the sector work being done to address the challenges from carbon emissions, to crop rotations, getting New Zealanders to support NZ-grown grains and everything in between.
Ag Recruit principal Deb Francis shared thoughts on career planning, job satisfaction, employment support and preparation for job interviews.
Milly Taylor from Mainfreight Air and Ocean provided insight on the current air and ocean freight challenges in respect to import and export for the seed and grain industries and how covid has impacted the freight industry.
Sponsored by Jarden fund managers, the Two Raw Sisters, Margo and Rosa shared their passion for plant-based foods and a demonstration on easy ways to use plants in cooking and baking.
As Gen Zers, with a following on social media, Connoley says the inspiring duo presented a clear understanding of the knowledge gap that exists in understanding the products of the seed and grain industry, with limited visibility on where to source NZ-grown grains and seeds.
Connoley says the range of speakers was key to the success of the day, with everything covered from wills and relationship property, through to wheat gross margins and the increasing use of biologicals.
The forum concluded with a reminder by Megan van Lieshout of Soul Nourishment of the importance of “US” and to take time to build mental resilience to better meet the ongoing pressures faced by today’s women.
“Women have a unique perspective and are often under-represented at the decision-making levels of organisations, so it’s great to be able to get together and discuss the big issues and provide our knowledge from all areas of the industry to find solutions to these,” Connoley said.
