A word from the Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator (April 2026)
AgriWomen Connect: Food, Fibre and Farming brought women together at Whitton Malt House on 5 – 6 March 2026 for two days of practical learning, inspiration and connection across the agricultural value chain. From paddock-to-product insights and regional storytelling to hands-on business skills, the conference celebrated the innovation and leadership shaping agriculture in the Riverina and beyond.
Across the program, a few themes came through strongly: understanding where our food and fibre comes from, building confidence in the business side of farming, and strengthening networks between women working on-farm, in advisory roles, and in regional agri-businesses. Sustainability, traceability and the value of keeping processing and value-adding in regional communities were also front and centre.
Day 1 highlights began with an immersive tour of the Southern Cotton gin at Whitton, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the journey from paddock to bale and the technology, quality testing and traceability that underpin a globally traded fibre. The conference then officially opened with a Welcome to Country by the Marrambidya Dance Group, setting a respectful and reflective tone for two days of learning. ABC Riverina Breakfast presenter Sally Bryant served as Master of Ceremonies, bringing warmth and a deep connection to regional communities.
Attendees heard from keynote speakers including Kaitlin Leonard (Whitton Malt House General Manager and a founding family member of Southern Cotton) who shared the opportunistic “why can’t we?” story behind building a $26 million cotton gin and later expanding into small-batch malting and hospitality. Sandra Ireson (Hay Inc.) spoke about creating hands-on pathways for young people into agriculture and the power of community-led programs. A facilitated panel with Carmen Quade (AgriFocused) brought together perspectives from across the region, with panellists also including Daisy Toscan (irrigator and cotton, wheat, prune and almond producer) and Alexandra Morona (Livestock Production Advisor, The Yenda Group).
The late afternoon program connected fibre, fashion and function through a fashion segment featuring Isabella Thrupp, founder of women’s workwear brand Prinking in Pindan (joining via Zoom after being rained in on Leopold Downs Station in the Kimberley), alongside Coolamon-based footwear designer Jane Robertson (Millwoods). The day concluded with canapés, networking and a three-course Paddock to Plate dinner at Whitton Malt House – an evening designed to showcase locally sourced produce and acknowledge the growers, processors and regional businesses behind the meal, while giving attendees time to continue conversations and build new connections.
Day 2 shifted from inspiration to practical capability-building. The morning started with a wellness session led by Emily “Em” Armstrong (Saltbush Stretch), a yoga and Pilates program created for rural, remote and regional women. Attendees then took part in a full-day farm business workshop delivered by Carmen Quade (AgriFocused), focused on real-world tools for busy farming enterprises.
The workshop was structured into three practical sessions: time management in farm businesses, managing emails effectively, and practical promotion for farm and agri-businesses. A short seasonal update segment was also included, featuring Kirsty Cordon (Veterinarian, Riverina Local Land Services) and a Telemetry update by Sarah Boyd (Principal Water Resource Analyst, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water).
AgriWomen Connect delivered what many rural women value most: down-to-earth learning they can apply immediately, plus the chance to connect with others who understand the realities of agriculture. By pairing place-based experiences (like the Southern Cotton gin tour) with honest conversations and practical business training, the conference reinforced the strength, professionalism and diversity of women’s roles across food, fibre and farming and left attendees better equipped, better connected and proud of the region’s story.
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.
