JOHNSONVILLE sheep producer Jeanette Severs says she is already gaining from being one of the five finalists for this year's Victorian Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's Award.
Also moonlighting as a rural journalist, she said she wasnt' used to telling her own story, but after being nominated she has gone through the process of identifying her own strengths, which has been a real confidence booster.
"There are a lot of awards out there for women involved in business and leadership and other community groups, but to recognise women that are involved in agriculture and primary production is really positive," Mrs Severs said.
"Being shortlisted has enabled me to be a voice for myself, which leaves you with a really warm and confident feeling.
"It is also great to have someone recognised in the Gippsland area for an award of this level."
Mrs Severs and her husband produce crossbred lambs, breed working Border Collies and undertake Alpaca shearing contracts.
Her commitment to primary industry isn't just on-farm. She is also a member of the Gippsland Coastal Board; a Victorian board member and secretary of Australian Women in Agriculture; and a co-founder of the Professional and Business Women's Network East Gippsland - just to name a few.
Mrs Severs said initiatives such as the RIRDIC Victorian Women's Award were extremely important both locally and nationally.
"Sometimes politicians forget how incredibly important primary production is in this country," she said.
"Awards like this let more farmers have a voice and participate in the discussions around our food, fibre and fodder and how important it is to ensure we continue to have a very healthy, productive and vibrant country."
The winner of the award will receive a $10,000 bursary to support their leadership development, as well as an opportunity to participate in an Australian Institute of Company Directors Course in Canberra.
If Mrs Severs wins the award, she will use the money to conduct research into developing a comprehensive database of the roles of farming women, both in primary production and in the community.
She also plans to publish this information, along with the stories she gathers from women around Australia, in a series of articles and in book from.
"My vision is that this information will make considerable impact on and change the representation of farming women in mainstream media," Mrs Severs said.
"I also hope it will strengthen the knowledge of these women about themselves and each other and encourage, through identifying this knowledge, more women, and particularly younger women, into farming roles in Australia."
Other Victorian finalists include Charlton biological farming consultant Elise Wenden, Mildura grape and citrus grower Tania Chapman, Melbourne food retailer and author Louise FitzRoy, and Porepunkah winery owner Janelle Boynton.
The winner will be announced on March 15 by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh, who said the award recognised the contribution women made to primary industries and the communities that depend on them.
"This fantastic initiative is all about paying tribute to the hard work and dedication of these women to agriculture and rural Victoria," he said.
"It is clearly focused on supporting women with strong leadership skills, a positive vision for the future of agriculture and the potential to make a difference in their chosen field."
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