A word from the Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator (December 2025)
Riverina Local Land Services, in partnership with Women Together Learning (WoTL), is proud to present the AgriWomen Connect: Food, Fibre & Farming Conference, a celebration of leadership, innovation and resilience among women in agriculture, food and fashion.
This inspiring event will be held during NSW Women’s Week at the stunning Whitton Malthouse on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 March 2025. It’s an opportunity to learn new skills to strengthen your own farm business, connect with the origins of your food and clothing, celebrate the contributions of women across diverse industries, and foster appreciation for the people and processes behind what we eat and wear.
Day One: Immersive experiences and inspiring stories
The first day is all about connection and storytelling. It will begin with a behind-the-scenes tour of Southern Cotton, one of the Riverina’s most advanced ginning facilities. This guided experience offers a fascinating look at how raw cotton is transformed into the fibre that becomes everyday clothing.
In the afternoon, settle in for a dynamic panel discussion featuring three remarkable women shaping the future of agriculture:
- Kate O’Callaghan, General Manager – Grower and Business Services, Southern Cotton & Whitton Malt House
- Jenna Bell, Cotton Grower & CEO, Murrumbidgee Private Irrigators In
- Daisy Toscan, Irrigated Cropping & Almond Production Manager, Cavaso Farming
Together, they’ll explore themes of innovation, sustainability, and leadership in food and fibre industries. Following the discussion, the spotlight shifts to style with the Farm to Fashion Show, where garments crafted from locally grown cotton and regional fibres will take the runway – bringing the paddock-to-runway story to life.
As evening falls, indulge in the Paddock to Plate Dinner, a three-course celebration of locally sourced produce. While you savour the flavours of the Riverina, hear from Isabella Thrupp, 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Runner-Up, as she shares her inspiring journey from Kimberley cattle stations to fashion entrepreneurship.
Day Two: Wellness and practical skills
Start the second day with a gentle yoga session led by Em Armstrong of Saltbush Stretch. Designed for rural women, this session blends movement and mindfulness to leave you feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead.
Then dive into an AgriBusiness workshop with Carmen Quade from AgriFocused. The workshop will focus on three practical areas designed to make farm business management more efficient and professional. Participants will learn time management strategies to streamline tasks and reclaim valuable hours, explore how to present their farm business confidently to banks and stakeholders, and gain tips for mastering email communication to reduce inbox overload and improve productivity. Expect interactive case studies and audience involvement, making this a valuable and engaging learning experience.
More information
Dates: Thursday 5 March to Friday 6 March 2025
Location: Whitton Malthouse, Riverina NSW
Registration: Click here to register now!
We still have some amazing speakers and contributors to confirm, so stay tuned for updates.
We’ll also soon be seeking trade stalls for the event, f your organisation would like to be involved, get in touch to express your interest.
This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by Riverina Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
This article was written by Jade Auldist. Jade is the Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator for the Riverina region. Her role supports farmers, industry and community groups (including Landcare Groups) to adopt new and innovative sustainable agriculture practices.
For further information on this article, please contact Jade at jade.auldist@lls.nsw.gov.au.
