Many businesses now offer flexible hours, there is more ability to work from home and there is a strong appetite for contract workers.
Demand is growing for more women in governance roles, which can provide off-farm income opportunities for rural women.
There is enormous potential for women to develop their skills and grow a career in governance, Waikato farmer Tracy Brown says.
Tracy is DairyNZ Dairy Environment Leaders Forum chairwoman, Dairy Environment Leadership Group farmer representative, a Dairy Women’s Network trustee, Matamata Intermediate School Board of Trustees chairwoman, and is on the organising committee for the Ballance Farm Environment Awards Alumni Conference.
There will be a lot of rural women in the same boat as her, with qualifications, skills and capabilities that could be put into governance roles, she says.
It’s extremely hard to commit to full-time employment when you have children and are running a farming business, but it’s good to see more flexible work options available for women, Tracy says.
Tracy studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and worked for the New Zealand Meat and Wool Board economic service, ASB and AgricultureITO, now PrimaryITO.
She stopped working full-time when she started having her family. Tracy and her husband Wynn have four children – Thomas, 16, Henry, 14, Katie, 13, and Molly, 11.
They milk 700 cows at Matamata and have grown their equity partnership in the family farm to 75%.
After the family farm became the supreme winners at the Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards in 2010, Tracy was offered an opportunity to be a regional co-ordinator for the awards.
Molly had just turned five and she was ready for a new challenge.
“When I started I thought who would even employ me? But don’t under-estimate your life experience.”
Representing community organisations are important roles and women shouldn’t under-estimate the experience they gain from those opportunities, she says.
“Women often under-value the work they do in the community. When I reflect on my years spent involved with various community groups when my children were young, I realise how valuable this time was in building my governance skills.
“That’s important for other women to know. When you are having a family there are a lot of roles you can do, that’s all personal development and you gain a lot of transferable skills.”
The 46-year-old completed the Agri-Women’s Development Trust Escalator governance programme last year, which involved Institute of Directors modules on governance, finance and strategy.
The course further opened her eyes to the skill sets and what her strengths are. Encouraging women to get some training and getting them to back themselves is key, she says.
“I think women have a responsibility to one another – there is an opportunity to support each other as we under-value our own abilities sometimes.
“Sometimes you just need to encourage each other, put someone forward for a role or some training that would help them.”
For people who are interested in governance, one of the best places to start is on a school board of trustees.
“Governance is governance, the principles are the same. It’s about understanding the processes. You can transfer those skills to other roles.”
Wynn and Tracy are both passionate about giving back to the industry and their community.
Wynn is an LIC Shareholders Councillor and spent nine years on the local primary school board of trustees, including two years as chairman.
“We never sought out careers in governance,” Tracy says.
“We both believe in life-long learning and both wanted to give back to both the industry and our community. If you’re going to be a good governor, you’ve got to stay connected to the grass-roots and the community.”
Tracy is paid a small honorarium for her role as DairyNZ DEL chairwoman and as a DWN trustee, but her motivation is more about adding value rather than any financial reward.
“You should have to have a real passion in the strategy and direction of an organisation to become involved, and you have to feel you will be a good fit and bring value and a different perspective. It’s about attaching yourself and your personal brand to an organisation where you can add real value.”
The time spent on her various roles would be the same as a full-time job and it’s something Tracy is toying with.
“I am at a crossroads at the moment, whether to look for employment full-time or go down the governance pathway. At the moment governance is giving me lots of opportunities to learn and contribute while still letting me be a mum.”
