Celebrating Women in Agriculture – what a great idea! This was the name of the luncheon I was honoured to speak at today, hosted by Gary and Joy Paddison of Ozfarm Services in Parkes, NSW.
I shared a few thoughts on “connecting” from my new book Do Talk To Strangers and an article that I published in Regional Business Magazine about 7 years ago – it still fills me with gratitude when I read it. Here’s a link to this article that honours the women who work on the land, and hard-working women everywhere.
I shared with the women that “the difference you make in your family and community may not often be acknowledged, but is very much appreciated and oh-so-important.”
Much of the feedback was along the lines of the importance of connecting “it’s great to meet others in the industry, people who have more experience” and “it’s great to ask questions of others” and “so wonderful to come to town and catch up with people!”.
While farmers can be isolated and really value time with others, there are so many city dwellers who know all-too-well the pain of isolation, even in a crowd. The need for conenction is universal.
Kerrie with Joy Paddison, Ozfarm
Thanks to sponsors Adama Australia and Impact Fertilisers along with Ozfarm, the women attending all took home a copy of Lifting the Lid on Quiet Achievers – and are looking forward to the arrival of my new baby – Do Talk to Strangers – very soon. It’s due back from the printers in 2 weeks time – so all going well, there will be a few events in the second half of November across the state and who knows where – you might be able to come for a coffee and meet some lovely strangers! (I’ll post out the ones that have been pre-ordered before I start the celebratory outings – I really appreciate your support and patience!)
In the meantime – DO connect! Wherever you are! Do meet someone new! Put a smile on someone’s face.
START SMALL – take a walk around your neighbourhood, make eye contact with someone and smile, say hi. If you see someone working in a garden, acknowledge their efforts, the colours or beauty of their garden – you’ll make their day!
Cheering you on,
Kerrie
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