Our Impact
AWDT’s range of fit-for-purpose programmes, events and support services have evolved and grown since 2010 to meet the needs of industry organisations and individual participants.
So far we have worked directly with more than 3,000 women in primary industries to build their skills and confidence. They are now making a big impact at all levels – in farming businesses, in boardrooms, in management and in communities.
As AWDT graduates understand their purpose and begin to fulfil their potential, they are taking on new challenges and increasing their contributions. This creates a ripple effect that is transforming, farming businesses, communities and the wider industry.
Read our impact stories
- Escalator Alumni
- Critical Farming Partners
- Wāhine Māia, Wāhine Whenua
- It's all about YOU
- Working with industry
Congratulations to Fiona Fouhy and Shaun Fouhy - Tararua Sheep and Beef Farmer of the Year for 2021!
In 2016, Fiona completed Understanding Your Farming Business. She shares how the programme helped set her up for success…
‘The course has been a huge benefit to me. Prior to it, I had no experience in business. It helped me learn the language of business, gave me the confidence to be involved and helped build awareness of how previous skills could translate into our business. It was a game changer!’
Awesome to see your hard work and commitment recognised. Ka pai!!
www.facebook.com/farmeroftheyear/photos/a.1493421984252815/2795672437361090/
And great to see so many of our partners involved! Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Ravensdown, ANZ New Zealand, FMG, Farm Focus, formerly CRS Software, Farmers Weekly NZThis year's winners field day is on the 6th May, please see the details for the day here, don't forget your $10 for lunch for a very worthy fundraiser for the Pahiatua Toy Library, look forward to seeing you there!
Ces Newton
Many primary sector women leave our programmes with the intent to empower and motivate others.
Women like Carmen Smith (First Steps & Understanding Your Farming Business, 2017) and Laura Hancock (Next Level, 2021 & Understanding Your Farming Business, 2020).
We’re thrilled to see Carmen and Laura (Co-founder) take on head trainer roles for WOMOlife - a new shearing and wool handling training programme that combines online video courses with in-shed education.
With a focus on “health, wellbeing, nutrition and financial literacy, combined with the best movement practices and technical skills to promote success in the shed and in life” - we think WOMOlife sounds great!
Carmen will be focussing on wool handling, and Laura as a movement coach. The programme starts on May 10 at Tautane Station near Herbertville.
Learn more at: farmersweekly.co.nz/section/sheep-2/view/first-wool-course-intake-ready-to-go
Great stuff, Laura!! Congratulations!! 🥰👌
Whoop! Go Laura!!
Nice work Laura Hancock and Carmen Smith. You guys will be great
Go girls. Sounds wonderful.👍
Can totally recommend!! Brilliant team 🥰
Congrats girl
Good you are keeping your hand in Justin!!
Very cool!! Well done!
The only constant, they say, is change. That’s certainly true here at AWDT.
With the Red Meat NZ Profit Partnership (RMPP) at the end of its 7-year mission to lift the sector’s productivity and profitability – we’re looking at how to take the three programmes it supported forward.
In 2021, we’ll be exploring how Understanding Your Farming Business, Future Focus and Wāhine Māia Wāhine Whenua will evolve. Our focus will be on ensuring these programmes stay relevant to the changing needs of primary sector women, remain accessible to as many people as possible and how new partnerships could increase programme impact across the sector.
With more than 2,600 stories of personal growth to draw on across the programmes – there’s plenty to work through!
In the meantime, please continue to register your interest for Understanding Your Farming Business, Future Focus and Wāhine Māia Wahine Whenua at www.awdt.org.nz. We’ll be sure to keep you posted on these programmes’ future later in the year.
Finally, a big thank you to the Red Meat NZ Profit Partnership for supporting us to empower farmers with the skills and confidence to grow their businesses.
Shout out to Maddy McLean- 2020 UYFB graduate and now recognised as the 2021 Silver Fern Farms Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year, alongside husband Andrew.
The farming partners impressed the judges with their ability to navigate through ‘extreme circumstances’, a long-term sediment control plan and best-in-class succession process.
We asked Maddy to share how her UYFB experience changed her role in the farming business, and she told us that:
“I really enjoyed the course and found it helpful in gaining a better understanding of our financial accounts, tax obligations and financial indicators. It gave me greater confidence when discussing our business with our trusted team.”
Congratulations Maddy and Andrew!
#criticalfarmingpartner
Hawke's Bay's primary sector champs scoop awards - NZ Herald
www.nzherald.co.nz
Innovation & passion at heart of primary-sector awards
Next Level Dunedin is underway!
Congratulations to our latest Next Level cohort. This group of primary sector women have started a six-month journey together to understand and enhance their ability to lead positive change.
They are aspiring change-makers, in it to serve the communities and organisations that matter to them.
We’re thrilled to be your #supportedgrowth partner for the journey ahead.
Good stuff Emily Jones🙌
Yay Rebecca Laming! Go you
Nice Rebecca Laming
Hear from our graduates
Escalator
Understanding Your Farming Business
Wāhine Māia Wāhine Whenua
Protecting Your Team
