11/02/2026
“If a woman is reading this and thinking, ‘I’m just helping out; I’m not really the farmer' - your contribution (on farm, off farm, community work) is 49% of real farm income.”
UNE Senior Lecturer, Dr Lucie Newsome, talks about women in ag with the clarity of both an economist and a grazier’s daughter - and now, a researcher into gender and agriculture.
As the UNE alumni-led 'Harvest Her Power Conference' in Dubbo approaches, her hope for the women who attend is simple: “That if you don’t already know how crucial you are to agriculture, you now do.”
The conference is founded and organised by UNE alumna and Central West farmer, Katja Williams.
“Harvest Her Power was born from the belief that when we invest in women as whole people - their skills, mindset, wellbeing and leadership - we strengthen farm businesses, families and rural communities at the same time," Katja says.
🟩 The Harvest Her Power: Empowerment & Skills Conference! will be held on Feb 23-24 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.
🟩 A UNE Alumni Networking Event - Central West, also at Taronga, will follow on Feb 24 - see you there!