Female leaders to celebrate their contribution to hort

Speakers in a variety of senior management roles across the industry are set to share their experiences in the event timed to take place tonight at 7pm.

The organisation says that, with significant gender disparity apparent in New Zealand’s horticulture industry, the focus of the event will be on fostering female leadership.

A UMR study from 2020 found that despite women representing 50% of workers in the industry, they held fewer than 20% of leadership positions, with women still missing from the top tables of many horticulture organisations.

Catherine Lewis, executive member of Women in Horticulture and director of Lewis Farms, says the livestream event is an opportunity for women to share their experiences and develop an environment that will empower the thousands of women working in the horticulture industry across New Zealand.

“Women have a significant contribution to make to the decision-making process at all levels of the industry. We’re keen to demonstrate this contribution and provide guidance and inspiration to women of all ages considering a career in the horticulture industry.

“Encouraging diversity of both gender and culture in roles across the industry is critical to ensuring the future of our industry,” says Lewis.

The livestream panel discussion will examine the role of women in the industry, and in particular, the impact of Covid-19 on female workers.

Lewis says many women working in horticulture face new pressures caused by the pandemic, including working from home, home-schooling children, and tighter household budgets.

Speakers at the livestream event include:

• Brittany McCloy, assistant business manager for Onions NZ
• Emma Clarke, director at Woodhaven Gardens and Women in Hort governor
• Dr Jocelyn Eason from Plant and Food Research
• Chrissy Stokes, extension design specialist at Zespri
• Erin Simpson, chair of GrowSafe, grower, and capability development manager for NZ Apples and Pears.