A Narrogin agricultural consultant and farmer with a passion for innovation has been awarded the 2013 Western Australian Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's Award.
Danielle England was honoured with the award at a ceremony in Perth last night, from a strong field of six finalists from across Western Australia.
Department of Agriculture and Food Director General Rob Delane said Ms England had been involved in the WA agricultural industry for more than 20 years.
“Her current role with Planfarm includes state-wide coordination of extension activities involving a number of partners including grower groups, agronomists, farmers and farm business consultants,” Mr Delane said.
“Ms England hopes to undertake a study tour of New Zealand’s North Island to explore how the agricultural industries there have maintained international competitiveness through innovation.”
The tour would look specifically at the role extension plays in identifying and managing change, and how private extension providers work with industry funding partners and research agencies to improve the delivery of rural extension.
The proposed tour would include attendance at the Australasia Pacific Extension Network (APEN) International Forum in New Zealand’s South Island in November 2013.
Mr Delane said the awards helped recognise the outstanding contribution from women across rural and regional WA towards their communities and industries.
He congratulated award runner-up Leilani Leyland, of Perth, who has been in the beekeeping industry for 28 years and actively promotes the importance of bees, honey and the industry in schools, on bus tours of their operations and on their business website.
He also congratulated finalists Pia Boschetti, of Geraldton; Jodie Lane, of Margaret River; Ellen Smith, of Perth; and Kim Tyrer, of Mount Barker.
The Rural Women’s Award is an initiative of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and co-ordinated in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Media contact: Jodie Thomson, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937