‘I love this region so much’: 6 rural women talk about their local landscapes
Across rural South Australia, there are women who love where they live and what they do. They also share a strong sense of responsibility to care for their local landscapes.
First Nations women
It’s important to recognise that women from local, indigenous and tribal communities are often custodians of traditional knowledge that is key for their communities’ livelihoods, resilience and culture.
Their contributions are unique and vital especially in the context of natural resources management, agriculture and forestry.
Here’s what they had to say
We’ve talked to 6 rural women about their local area, exploring how they play a role in caring for landscapes and the rural innovations they are excited about.
This comes as International Day of Rural Women is marked in October. This day helps to acknowledge the contribution of women to agricultural production, food security and nutrition, land and natural resource management, and building climate resilience, around the world. (i)
Melissa Brown – McLaren Vale, Hills and Fleurieu
What do you love about the landscape in your area?
The hills, the variety of livestock and land use, the vineyards and the amazing views that extend all the way to the coast from so many vantage points, one of them being from our home!
What does your work in protecting and preserving the McLaren Vale region mean to you?
I’m doing my best to help improve the environment rather than just take from it. I’m third generation in this region and as current custodian of our land I want to make sure I pass it on in better condition than when it was handed to me. I love this region so much and want to play a part in its preservation.
What innovative practices have you implemented as a grower?
Biodynamic isn’t exactly innovative but is practised by only a minority of farmers and I’ve been using biodynamic practises since 2006.
We are planting different plant species under vine to outcompete invasive grasses, we make our own compost on-site, and we are spraying compost teas to build up the microbial life in our soils.
What would you like to see happen more in McLaren Vale, for the environment?
I’d like to see a reduction in woody weeds and an increase in plants of provenance on roadsides on a large scale. It would require collaboration from landholders, industry road transport and council working together.
It’s an ambitious project but I’d like to see McLaren Vale be the first wine region in the world to undertake important biodiversity conservation on a large scale.
Anything else to share?
I try to live by the motto “Live like you’ll die tomorrow. Farm like you’ll live forever”.
Francesca Fennell – Wintinna Station via Marla, SA Arid Lands
What do you love about your local landscape?
I love the contrast of the colours, especially when there is a storm building up or just after rain when everything is so fresh. I enjoy being outside for most of my day (although my office days seem to be ever increasing!). I enjoy doing yard work with the cattle, however my most favourite thing about my landscape is the vast amount of space and the 1000s of trees.
What new land management ideas or innovations are you excited about for the future?
Virtual fencing!
We were part of a trial with SARDI and the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board to test virtual fencing collars on our heifers to see if the cattle could be rotated around the paddock.
It worked brilliantly, excluding the cattle from areas we wanted and having no ill effects on the cattle.
It tracks them in live time so we could see exactly where they were always.
An added advantage was we were able to draw laneway fences which meant the cattle were waiting in the laneway without having to be mustered.
If the legislation is changed in SA and we can use it then it will be fantastic for the livestock industry, the environment and the cattle.
Debbie Hansen - Alinytjara Wilurara
Debbie Hansen is a member of the Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board.
She represents the Maralinga Tjarutja region and was involved in the negotiations for the 2023 Upurli Upurli Nguratja native title claim, which is one of the largest in the Central Desert.
Debbie was born on this Country, where many Anangu from Maralinga relocated after being forced off their Country for the British atomic testing in the 1950s.
She has a strong interest in land management, particularly in the fundamental and ongoing connection between culture and Country.
Debbie speaks for her community to ensure there are opportunities for the young people of the Alinytjara Wiluṟara region to work on Country and maintain their cultural connections to the land. She says it is important that this work is done by women as well as men.
“Anangu women are important knowledge holders in rural and remote areas,” Debbie says.
“We pass down important knowledge to our youth on how to keep Country and communities healthy.”
Casey Henderson – Murraylands and Riverland
What do you love about your local landscape?
I’ve lived in the Murraylands for 25 years and still love the variety that the local landscape offers.
I’ve always lived in the country so it’s probably a bit ingrained in my DNA but one of my favourite things is watching the paddocks change colour with the seasons and cropping cycles.
I also love spending time by the river with my family. There’s so much to love about the Murraylands region.
What new land management ideas or innovations are you excited about for the future?
As the Murraylands District Manager with the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board I find it incredibly rewarding to collaborate with the community to achieve mutual outcomes.
I understand that farmers face many challenges on their properties, and managing pest plants and animals is just one aspect of their work.
That’s why I’m enthusiastic about working together to find solutions that are effective for everyone.
Lucy Pedler – Eyre Peninsula
Lucy is a Women Learning Together ambassador and facilitator, supporting women involved in the agriculture industry in her area of Eyre Peninsula to connect with each other and access training and personal development opportunities.
She’s also involved with a family agricultural consulting business and, together with husband George, she is passionate about empowering women to get involved in farming businesses.
What do you love about the landscape in your area?
I love the diversity of the landscape on the EP. From the rolling hills, amazing marble ranges, flat open paddocks, and the stunning coastlines. It has all the bases covered.
My favourite time of the day is to watch the sunset over the ranges and take in all the colours which vary from season to season.
What new land management ideas or innovations are you excited about for the future?
The amount of soil amelioration that is being undertaken to improve soil structure is exciting.
It is also exciting to see where technology will take us over the next few years in terms of the ability to map for weeds and spot spray using AI and drones as opposed to blanket spraying.
Anything else to share about your region, farming or women in agriculture or in rural areas?
I think the future of farming and agriculture is extremely bright with more women stepping into various roles across the sector.
With generational change it is exciting to see women now calling themselves farmers and recognising the significant parts they play within their businesses.
Holly Crawford – Belalie North, near Jamestown
What do you love about the landscape in your area?
The mosaic of everchanging colours throughout the seasons and the rolling hills with their scattered patches of remnant sheoaks and blue gums.
What does your work in protecting and preserving the land mean to you?
Our revegetation project, part of the Carbon+ Biodiversity Pilot, means we can have a positive impact on biodiversity on our farm for our family to enjoy for generations to come (ii).
I’m excited to see the vegetation establish and add another element to the mosaic of colour in our region.
What innovative practices have you implemented as a grower?
In our cropping program we use a compost pellet to supplement synthetic fertiliser, liquid trace elements at seeding, and foliar fertilisers throughout the season, which complements our zero-till strip-disc system.
What would you like to see happen more in your area?
I’d love to see more revegetation projects occurring in the region, hopefully the upcoming Nature Repair Market (scheme) and other changes to the ACCU (Australian Carbon Credit Unit) scheme will make it more appealing for landowners to undertake such projects in the future.
Endnotes
i UN International Day of Rural Women
ii The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board is facilitating the delivery of the Australian Government’s Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot with farmers in the Northern and Yorke region