Building Strong Foundations For Women In Agriculture

In the heart of the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region, a quiet revolution is taking place — one led by the women who live, work, and thrive in the agricultural sector. As farming families adapt to shifting roles and the evolving needs of agriculture, this group is stepping up to support and empower a vital part of the industry: women.

Reef Catchments Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator, Kellie Harmsworth, lives by the mantra: “If you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, march down there and light the darn thing yourself!” It’s a bold philosophy — one that many women in agriculture will resonate with; equal parts grit, humour, and quiet determination.

It’s also a sentiment that sits at the heart of the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Women in Agriculture (WiA) group — an initiative that recognises how vital it is to create space for women who are part of agriculture to connect, grow, and be heard.

“The WiA group was created as I had seen the need — from my own personal experience — for women who work on-farm or within the agriculture sector to have a comfortable space for connecting, sharing, and learning,” said Kellie. “I’m utilising word of mouth, social media and other platforms to provide growth opportunities for ladies in our region.”

“Life is so busy and can at times be consuming, isolating and overwhelming — a simple opportunity could potentially create a more positive pathway for someone who, like all of us, is on a journey.”

WiA aims to strengthen the everyday resilience of women who balance family, farm, and often off-farm work. It’s about building the confidence to lead, the clarity to set goals, and the community to lean on when things get tough. Perhaps most importantly, it’s about visibility: making sure women are seen — not just as supporters of farming businesses, but as co-drivers and custodians of them.

“It’s a community,” said local grazier Sharon Yensch, “where we are isolated as farmers with commitments to our family and farm, and we can forget ourselves. We lose our identities.”

“This group helps support my self-worth as a Woman in Ag. It gives us a comfortable environment to learn, share, and connect to help create healthy minds.”

Women who join WiA groups often speak about how empowering it is simply to be in a room where they’re not alone in their challenges. The shared conversations about time management, delegation, farming partnerships, and goal setting help break the mould and build healthier personal and professional habits.

As Sharon puts it, “Farming is about being in a partnership. What tools or methods can we learn to better manage time, plan ahead, and support one another? Sometimes, we just need that reminder to wind back and make time to smell the roses.”

And it’s not just about the now — it’s about the future.

“We are custodians of our farms,” Sharon said. “What are we leaving for the next generation? What differences are we making? Plant the seed, keep watering — and it will grow.”

A Chance to Connect
The next Women in Agriculture gathering will be held on Saturday, July 5, at Sharon Yensch’s property in Bowen. The event — “Building Strong Foundations” — will provide a relaxed, supportive space to explore identity, purpose, and practical strategies for managing life and work on the land.

Featuring guest speaker Kaitlin Tilly and hosted with community in mind, it’s another opportunity for women to come together, share stories, and build lasting connections.

For more information about the Women in Agriculture group or to join the next event, please contact Kellie Harmsworth at saf@reefcatchments.com.

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Recent WiA Farm Animal First Aid Workshop at the Calen Trail and Horse Sports club. Photo supplied

Sharon Yensch hosting a Reef Catchments Peer to Peer workshop on her property in Bowen.

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