SOME may be just as used to growing cotton and grains, but dozens of rural women have also cultivated new skills to invest back into their areas.
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The latest batch of students from Tocal College's Generating Regionally Outstanding Women (GROW) course were in Tamworth this week to celebrate and further their learning.
GROW is a professional development and leadership program for regional women in the cotton and grains industries.
Its aim is to boost participants' leadership, management, communication and networking skills, and to provide tools to improve work health and safety and staff management in their businesses.
NSW Department of Industry's (DPI) Tocal College acting principal Julie White said the college was "delighted to see these current students graduate, but we also know this is only the start of their journey as rural leaders".
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GROW graduates first attended an alumni conference at the DPI's Tamworth Agricultural Institute on Tuesday.
Ms White said the "high-quality speakers covered a range of topics", including 2019 AgriFutures Rural Women's Award National winner Jo Palmer, the founder of Pointer Remote Roles, who spoke on remote employment opportunities.
The group also heard from Engage & Create Consulting director Julia Telford - one of 2018's Australian Financial Review 100 Women of influence.
There were also sessions on getting the best out of your team; legal issues involved with safety and human resources; and mental health tips and resources.
"It was a great opportunity to bring current and past graduates together to network and learn from each other," Ms White said.
"One of the GROW program's most positive outcomes is the ongoing interaction between current participants and graduates in our vibrant alumni community."
The next day, at Goonoo Goonoo Station, more than 30 of the 55 course finishers attended a graduation ceremony.
DPI deputy director-general of agriculture, Kate Lorimer-Ward, said the course was "a great initiative to boost the leadership skills [of] regional women".
"I congratulate today's inspirational graduates and acknowledge their dedication and hard work to achieve their great success."
The course is part of AgSkilled, a partnership program between industry and the NSW government to deliver training to NSW grain and cotton producers.
