Page 14 - DAF 254 Peer 2 Peer Case Studies

IN THE NEWS
Virtual tour drives home practice change message
Women working in horticulture in the Wide Bay Burnett region recently took a break from the farm for an industry luncheon and virtual bus tour focused on Reef water quality. Funded by the Enhanced Extension Coordination in GBR project, The Women in Horticulture Virtual Bus Tour was a collaborative initiative between Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers (BFVG), and Growcom.
This event was planned as a full day bus tour, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the program was unable to be delivered on site at farms.
The full day event attracted 35 women involved in all parts of farm operations from driving tractors, through to financial management.
Prior to the event, videos were produced on local agribusinesses and their involvement in Reef water quality programs in the Burnett Mary Region. These were shared on the day as a virtual tour.
The event also featured presentations on the Regional Reef Report Card and the extension model used to facilitate the BMP in the Cane industry and The Art of Extraordinary workshop facilitated by Genevieve Matthews. Regional Extension Coordinator Wendy Thorsborne said the planned bus tour included stopping at local farms, where participants were able to speak with growers and see firsthand some of the local initiatives. ``The virtual tour focused on reef water quality and monitoring, and it gave like- minded women a chance to look at practice changes on farms.’’
Wendy said the feedback from the event had been positive with a number of women approaching the tour organisers expressing interest in attending further training in such topics as soil health.
Huxley Hilltop Farms Kate Crook said she found events such as these very helpful. “It helps build our confidence, and I am
getting a lot out of it.”