Feature Women in horticulture

The backbone of industry

WOMEN IN HORTICULTURE

Welcome to the third instalment of our Women in Horticulture series. Women have played an integral role in horticulture for centuries, from areas as diverse as production, research and business management. We continue to celebrate their role by speaking to women in all areas of horticulture, from trailblazers to emerging leaders.

Robyn Bumbak

Human resources and quality assurance manager — Bumbak & Sons

How long have you been working in horticulture?

21 years. In 1997 I moved to Carnarvon WA as a primary teacher for a year. As is often the case I met and married a farmer (Mark), left teaching behind in 2000 to work with Mark, his brother Dave and parents Dennis and Helen on their family farm, Bumbak & Sons. Did you always want to work in the sector?

I grew up on a dairy farm with three sisters, all of whom were very hands on – me not so much – so it was definitely not my plan. After a stint in teaching I found my skillset could be applied in the areas of food safety and HR within the industry. Who or what has inspired you in your career? My parents. There are no days off in dairy farming. They both worked incredibly hard on farm whilst always making time for us kids. They are the epitome of teamwork, hard work and parenting. In addition, Mark’s passion for growing and the industry was inspiring and made the transition to horticulture easy. What is your favourite thing about working in your industry? Definitely the people. Engaging with people within the industry, whether it is our amazing staff, networking with colleagues or leading tour groups showcasing our industry. Guaranteed, it is the people and friendships along the way. Has your industry changed (in general/ for women) since you began? If so, how? The biggest change in the industry generally I believe would be compliance, e.g., food safety, HR, OHS. The growth in paperwork is rising exponentially. How has the industry changed for women? Well, women have been involved in farming forever, just more publicly now. What is an accomplishment/career moment you’re proud of? Navigating the process of becoming an Approved Employer in the Seasonal Worker Program and then finally seeing recruits step on-farm in 2018. Initially it was a way to help shore up labour while our business expanded but it has become so much more. It is so rewarding having people return year after year and seeing the difference the program can make to lives. What advice would you give to the next generation of females about working in horticulture?

Don’t be afraid to be really involved, network, ask questions, listen to and offer advice.

How would you encourage women to take on roles, or get promotions, in horticulture?

Network, participate, be engaged and value your contribution.

Alison MacGregor

ATGA project & team lead – Extension Citrus Australia agrichemical manager

Viticulture consultant

How long have you been working in horticulture?

30 years. Wow!!! That’s such a long time. It has passed very quickly. I fell in love with grapevines when I was just fresh out of university, working at a vineyard and winery in the Yarra Valley. Then I landed my dream job, in research and extension with what is now Agriculture Victoria at Irymple. I have been in Sunraysia and working in horticulture now for 30 years. After 17 years with Agriculture Victoria I joined the private sector as a consultant in viticulture and horticulture.

Did you always want to work in the sector?

As a naïve school-leaver I just wanted to help save the planet by feeding people more sustainably. At university I became fascinated by soils – maybe we could feed more people sustainably by understanding soils? But as a young graduate at Agriculture Victoria at Irymple I worked on R&D projects for the grape and citrus industries, looking at chemicals, residues and integrated pest management. That ignited a passion that still drives me after 30 years. Who or what has inspired you in your career?

1 Seeing change. The wheels of change turn slowly in industry, but if you stay around long enough, you get to see the positive change. I feel very privileged to have contributed in small ways to those changes and that keeps me inspired. 2 Growers inspire me. They take such risks but stay so optimistic; they

somehow keep the complexity of production in their heads; they adapt; they are curious. 3 The total dedication of some researchers and industry leaders, past and present, who tirelessly support and represent growers so that as a region we grow crops more productively, efficiently and sustainably. What is your favourite thing about working in your industry? Every year/month/week/day brings new challenges, work, ideas, learning, people. I am always discovering new things. It's creative – there is always room for new ideas. The shift in industry is always towards being cleaner, safer, fairer, greener. And I get to spend time in an office but also outside in vineyards and orchards. I love the variety. Has your industry changed (in general / for women) since you began? If so, how?

The industry has changed in so many ways since I started in 1989. Perhaps the biggest three are paperwork, water and technology. 1 Super boring: There is much, much more paperwork now, associated with quality assurance. 2 Happy and sad: Irrigation water became a tradeable commodity, to encourage improvements in water use efficiency and so reduce salinity in irrigated soils. Salinity is much lower now, and water is used much more efficiently. That’s good.

But I feel sad recalling the drought years, when many smaller familyrun vineyards or orchards were only able to keep up their bank interest payments by selling their water and eventually their farms. The people that make up the industry changed as a result. There are fewer family farms now, and more corporate or investor-owned farms.

3 Exciting and enabling: We have much more technology to play with. In 1989, orchard and vineyard managers relied on a shovel and personal experience to gauge how their crops were growing and to manage crop load, irrigation, pests and nutrition. Now it is not unusual for a farm manager or agronomist to use drones, robotics, soil probes,

hyperspectral scanners, crop cameras and satellite imagery. Every minute, phenomenal volumes of data are uploaded from crops – describing plant stress, soil water deficit, plant nutrient status, insect movements, microclimates, and logging machinery movement. On a more personal level, the gender balance is more sensible now. I always knew that there were lots of women in horticulture, for example, managing farm accounts, but they were not visible. In my early days, I was often the only woman in the room, or on the team. Now there are many fantastic women taking all kinds of roles in all parts of horticulture. At last we are just concerned with addressing the issues at hand, and not bogged down by gender. What is an accomplishment/career moment you’re proud of? I am gratified when I see evidence that what I have done has been relevant and useful. For example, when a client is successful with an insurance or legal claim; or knowing that a “ute-guide” on pests, diseases and disorders of grapevines that I co-authored is still being reprinted and sold after 25 years; or when a research project actually leads to a change in grower practices or government policy. I doubt I can take sole credit for anything because I have always drawn on input from others in the industry. What advice would you give to the next generation of females about working in horticulture?

Know that we really want you to succeed and want you to stay in horticulture. Build a network of mentors. Put your hand up to take on roles. Don’t think about gender. If it’s not an issue for you it probably won’t be an issue for anyone else. Just think about how you or your team will get the job done. Work out what aspect of the industry you feel passionate about, and then make that a lasting focus. See it through. It won’t be an issue for everyone else, or all the time, and it won’t necessarily be in your various job descriptions, but that’s exactly why you need to stay with it and make sure it doesn’t get ignored in the long game.

Karen Connolly

Industry development officer Australian Table Grape Association

How long have you been working in horticulture?

I have worked in the horticultural industry for over 30 years. Like many young people of my era in Sunraysia, I started my horticultural experiences picking grapes and citrus on various properties for pocket money. In later years my parents purchased a citrus property in Curlwaa NSW and there the seed was sown.

Did you always want to work in the sector?

I was encouraged by my father’s love of nature, both animals and plants, and as a result they have been a substantial part of both my personal and professional lives. However, I soon realised my love of the botanical was what I should focus on professionally. This focus was stimulated while working on my parents’ fruit property, which led to my enrolment in horticultural studies, after which I gained employment with the CSIRO, at Merbein South, Victoria. Thus, my horticultural career really began. Who or what has inspired you in your career?

I have been lucky enough to have had some great mentors over the years, who have not only inspired but encouraged me to go forward. Men and women. Always providing me with the help, guidance and support to achieve my goals. I’ve also always had a self-driven desire to assist fellow horticulturists. If I can help make horticultural production an easier, safer, more cost-effective process for all involved, that’s my goal and driving force.

Has your industry changed (in general / for women) since you began? If so, how? The horticulture industry has changed greatly during my time, with many previously labour-intensive tasks being replaced by mechanised and automated processes. With this has come the need to increase safety awareness in a workplace that sees people and machinery working and operating in the same area. In recent times robotics have also made an appearance in our sector and I see this potentially freeing producers from previously laborious or time-consuming tasks. What is your favourite thing about working in your industry? While working within organisations such as the CSIRO and the Department of Primary Industries, I was part of research and extension programs that developed and encouraged adoption of new concepts by industry. I enjoy seeing the camaraderie and sometimes healthy competition between different horticultural sectors that eventually results in this adoption, especially when it enables holistic benefits. On another level, I have also enjoyed sharing my experiences to assist employees appreciate the significance of their role, guide young people to recognise their goals, abilities and strengths and encourage employers, growers and managers to recognise the importance and value of safer work practices. What is an accomplishment/career moment you’re proud of? I spent many of my working years "doing the hard yards" in labourintensive field work. So when I started working for Sun World International I finally felt like I had achieved a significant career goal. I was finally in a position where I could advise, learn from and share experiences, ideas and concepts to horticulturalists around the globe - as part of an international agronmoic team - in order to improve farm outputs through better operational and production systems. What advice would you give to the next generation of females about working in horticulture?

Regardless of gender it can be a rewarding career choice for those with a passion for horticulture, but don’t expect it to be easy. Be prepared to get your hands dirty, be committed and seek out and listen to the many voices of experience in your chosen field. How would you encourage women to take on roles, or get promotions, in horticulture?

For anyone in any field I think the advice would be the same – don’t give up. Keep upskilling. Know your worth. Know you have something to contribute. Know you are entitled to a voice, but, be sure of your subject. Remember you don’t have to accept only backseat positions – sometimes you are just as entitled to take the steering wheel. v