The Whanganui dairy farmer says winning the award was not only a huge honour, but recognition for her contributions to the industry so far.
“It’s acknowledgement that what I have done to date has been really helpful and beneficial, and allows me to upskill and continue that journey to help others achieve their goals in the industry that has given me so much and that I love,” Price says.
Price was named the winner at the awards dinner following the network’s conference in Taupō.
The other finalists were Ashburton dairy farmer Rebecca Miller and contract milker and LIC farm consultant Chevon Horsford from Whangarei.
As the 2021 Dairy Woman of the Year, Price receives a scholarship of up to $20,000 to undertake a development programme, professional and business coaching, a learning experience, or a combination of all three.
After entering the industry 12 years ago through a sharemilking contract, Price and her husband now own a dairy farm in Taranaki and sharemilk 650 cows in Nukumaru, where she is responsible for the day-to-day running, calf-rearing, human resources and administration for their two businesses.
Price completed the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme to upskill herself and shares her knowledge and experience across many mentorship roles within the industry, including PrimaryITO, DairyNZ’s Dairy Connect Programme and Rural Support.
Her influence on the industry is widespread, with additional roles with Environment Leaders Taranaki and the Step Change Pilot Programme with DairyNZ, to make changes to their farm operations for better environmental outcomes.
The awards night also saw Northland dairy farmer Donna Griggs named as the 2021 DWN Regional Leader of the Year, which celebrates the grassroots work of the network’s regional leaders nationwide.
The other finalist this year was Rebecca Green, a dairy farmer from Cheviot, North Canterbury.
Griggs says she was “humbled” to be nominated for the award, which means “representing all of the DWN leaders in New Zealand as a whole”.
“For me, the title means an opportunity to grow in leadership skills and to bring that knowledge forward into the DWN community, our farming community and our business,” she says.
Griggs has been heavily involved in her community for over a decade, working for and leading fundraising committees, the Waipu Playcentre and the local school’s parent-teacher association while her children were attending.
With three adult children having left the farm, and three teenagers, Griggs now focuses on 50:50 sharemilking 900 cows on the Ruawai Flats with her husband, and volunteers as regional leader and the coast to coast business Group leader for DWN.
She also hosts DairyNZ discussion groups on their farm and organises industry workshops for local farm teams to build their knowledge.
DWN chairperson Karen Forlong, DWN chief executive Jules Benton, Donna Griggs and FMG representative Nicki Mackay.
DWN chief executive Jules Benton says regional leaders were at the core of the network’s organisation.
“Both our finalists show a real passion for people and work to strengthen the dairy industry through connection not only between farmers, but at a social and community level as well,” Benton says.
“Donna and Rebecca were noted by the judges as having strong value foundations and for helping people to find their place within the industry, which will ultimately help our sector to thrive.”
As the 2021 Regional Leader of the Year, Griggs receives registration to the Dare to Lead programme facilitated by Kaila Colbin from Boma NZ, as well as accommodation and travel to the location of the programme, to help her on her leadership journey.
