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Farming and other rural business women in the region have until 4 June to sign up for an innovative business development program which will be held in Yarrawonga from June to August.

Joint organiser of the Inspiring Farming Women program, Dr Kristy Howard said there are 40 places available on the program which is aimed at developing women’s business skills, building farming business opportunities and developing networks.

“We are particularly looking for farming women in the north east of Victoria and southern New South Wales to take part,” Dr Howard said.

The program is based on a pilot, run in Beechworth at the end of last year, which operated with a mix of farming and other rural business women.

“What we found were the women had a range of business skills, were keen to learn and share what they knew and they developed strong and supportive networks through the program,” she said.

The program team includes Cathy McGowan from Catherine McGowan Consulting, Cheryl Graham from Farminganswers, Dr Kristy Howard from Inspiring Excellence, Fiona Hart from Riverine Plains Inc and Karen Nankervis from My Beechworth Secretary.

“Cathy, Cheryl and I will facilitate the workshops. We have a broad range of skills and experience with a real commitment to women in rural Australia. We’ll be looking at business planning, goal setting, balancing farm, business and family, and marketing and communication,” Dr Howard said.

Local farming system group Riverine Plains Inc is also pleased at its involvement. Riverine Plains Inc spokeswoman Fiona Hart said ‘women have always contributed significantly to rural businesses, whether it be working in paid or unpaid roles on the farm or working elsewhere in the community’. ‘It is terrific that this contribution has been recognised and Riverine Plains Inc sees value in this program because it focuses specifically on improving the business skills of rural women’ she said.

“This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry under Australia’s Farming Future. The cost to take part in the five workshop program has been reduced from over $2,000 to just $175 per participant.”

Anyone interested in the program can contact Dr Kristy Howard on 0400 28 2222 or Karen Nankervis on (03) 5728 1924 to have an Expression of Interest form sent to them.