For our final episode of 2022, we learn how a self-confessed city slicker ended up being named as the 2022 Rural Community Leader of the Year. It is quite the story. It all started with young love, a trip to the Brisbane Ekka and Sarah Parker now calls a dairy farm in Victoria's Goulburn Valley home. Finding connection in a remote part of the world became a calling that's now part of her identity. Sarah is making her mark in the industry as current Vice President of the National Rural Women's Coalition, a director of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, a Victorian Farmers Federation member and Treasurer of Australian Women in Agriculture. To learn more, Sarah Parker joins us today's episode. We discuss:
- The safety Sarah feels on her farm is her favourite thing about life on the land.
- Farming certainly isn't her background and she shares why she made the choice to leave the city behind.
- How Sarah was able to use her skills in community and rural development by intentionally attending community events and making connections.
- Testing these connections as the community they built came to their aid after a serious accident on farm.
- Fast forward to now – Sarah is a mentor, she has sat on industry boards and is currently working towards increasing medical support to women in rural areas.
- This important work has led to Sarah being named Rural Community Leader of the Year and her reflections on this award.
- A country boy, a city girl, a cow and a shovel - how Brisbane Show The Ekka brought them all together.
- Sarah's favourite thing about life on the land is the sense of community.
- The most unexpected thing to happen since moving to the farm from the city.
- Common misconceptions about life on the land.
- Sarah's ultimate dream for the future of rural communities.
We hope to see you back on the road on January 8th 2023 for Season 2 of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.
Links:
Angie Asimus
Connect with @angieasimus on Instagram
Partnered with Australian Farmers
Follow @australianfarmers On Instagra
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn
Produced by Pretty Podcasts
