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During 2007, the Wexford Women Who Farm group completed a very enjoyable and successful programme of information and training sessions organised by the TUS Programme operated by County Wexford Partnership in Enniscorthy.

The group of 20 farm women attended a series of eight different sessions from May covering a wide range of topics relative to their own identified needs and particular requirements and all  benefited enormously from the experience.

The sessions were structured over the period to build on selected topics like confidence building, work – life balance, goal setting and networking / leadership training.  Specific training was delivered by the Citizen’s Information Service on sources of information, and personal rights and entitlements. Jill Kirby, a noted journalist and broadcaster presented a most valuable session on Personal Finance and Pensions and a most enjoyable and informative day was spent in the Organic Centre in Cushinstown with a talk by Siobhan Hayden on diet, lifestyle and exercise. This was followed by a lunch trip on the Galley cruising restaurant in New Ross.

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The programme was brought together in a final session in the form of a personal action plan by each participant. This was facilitated by two renowned leadership tutors from Australia namely Cathy McGowan and Alana Johnson, both of whom have extensive experience and qualifications in this area of training.

Cathy has a Masters degree in applied Science in Agriculture and Rural Development.  She has been working in the area of women in agriculture for over 20 years. In 2000 her work with the dairy industry was acknowledged with the Australian Pacific Extension Network award for “Excellent in Extension”. She is the past president of the national organisation, Australian Women in Agriculture and Regional Councilor for the Victorian Farmers Federation. She is internationally regarded as a leader in women's affairs.  Cathy is a former adviser to the Australian government on women’s issues and the national coordinator of the women in sugar, horticulture and dairy programs.  This is her fifth trip to Ireland and second Women in agriculture leadership program.

 Alana is a farmer, a clinical Family Therapist and Rural Consultant. She has an international reputation in change management and rural development with a particular focus on farm succession planning. For 25 years Alana has been involved with rural women’s affairs and is past national President of the Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women. Alana was an advisor to the Australian Minister for Agriculture and in 2005 received a National Rural Women’s award to study at the Australian Institute for Company Directors.  Alana is currently a participant the prestigious Australian Rural Leadership program. This is her third trip to Ireland and second Women in Agricultural leadership program.

In 2008 the group formed a committee who coordinated a Seminar on Succession Planning on family farms.

Farm Succession 2008

The progress of this group so far has been impressive and a full review and evaluation of the activities to date will take place in February of 2008 which will form the basis for future initiatives.

 
           
 

More details can be obtained by contacting Seamus Codd at:
  Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, Ireland

Telephone: 053 9237033 / 9237020 Fax: 053 9237027 / 9237026

E-mail: seamus@wexfordpartnership.ie       www.wexfordpartnership.ie